Mick wrote:
I can add myself to the list. I used a copper head gasket from the standard gasket kit on a 1275LS engine.
The 'standard' gasket kit contains a composite aluminum gasket. If you want a copper one you (usually) need to specify that is what you what.
I have seen that a lot of people here seem to favour the 'Monotorque' Head Gaskets. I have to say that I have not used these for about 20 years. They may have improved in that time. I did try some in the mid 80's (after having a visit from the Payon Rep) and as Gaskets I found them OK, nothing that I would write home about and as for being 'Monotorque' - what a load of crap!! Anything but, they still need re-torquing! Has this situation changed? I went off them as they were considerably dearer and took considerable more effort to clean the Block and Head Faces when stripped down.
Also, (as was explained to me by the Rep) do you guys who are using them know what they (at least were) intended for?
They were intended for the workshops who need to turn around customers (daily driver type) cars fast - definitely no go for performance engines - and without the need for the customer to return to have their heads re-torqued and tappets re-set etc. Has this situation also changed?
I have to say that I have used probably most of the available head gaskets available and any that I have had problems with were operator error, not a gasket fault. This also goes for the current range of copper gaskets, which I do like because they usually come apart clean.