thanks mini053,

I agree with what you mentioned there on the the MLS gaskets being good for alloy heads becasue they allow the head to expand at a different rate to the block (that said I think the advantage would be pretty academic,,, although I haven't tested it so I don't know for sure)...

Would you say tfrom experience that it is worth going for? It looks like you don't think that they are really any better than the bk450... thanks for replying

Hi Phat Kat,

I use the Cometic gaskets for engines with alloy heads mainly because they don't mark the head. For my iron head race motors I use the BK450 and again I have never had a problem with them. I think it is well documented how good the BK450 is and they seem to withstand all the abuse people can throw at them. Perhaps in the absolute extreme (very high boost or compression up around the 14:1 mark) the Cometic may be superior due to its design, but I don't know of anyone who has actually tested this.
Purely from a bang for your buck perspective, the BK450 is right up there.

Hope this helps.

Thanks mate

More info re Payen BK450.

As the only Australian Mini parts supplier who is an Authorised Payen distributor for their gaskets I can pass on some info re BK450.

Payen gaskets in general are manufactured in numerous plants around the world but all stock is sent for packing/distribution to the worldwide distribution centre in Kontich Belgium.

Belgium makes nothing - it is only a distribution centre.

All BK450 gaskets are made in the UK.

Our commercial invoices state the county of origin of every item we buy.
BK450 = United Kingdom.

I am not aware of any problems with these gaskets.

We sell in excess of 700 a year and have not had a single complaint.

I have sent an email to Payens tech department to find out if there has been any reported problems.

I am waiting on their reply.

I hope this info helps.

Hi Karcraft! Thanks for taking an interest in the goings on around here.

I can't speak for everyone, but I personally have never heard of there being any issues with the BK450 head gaskets..

With the exception of someone earlier in this thread of course...

I normally buy Copper head gaskets (from yourselves obviously ), and I have never ever had a problem with a copper head gasket... **BUT** everyone has here has spent the last couple of months convincing me that they are rubbish and it is only a matter of time before they blow so now I am exploring other options.

The BK450 is one that has come very highly recomended by everyone here including some of the most highly recomended engine builders that use this forum. I don't believe anyone has mentioned any problems with the product. And I haven't had a problem with a BK450 because I have never used one.

Your input and advice on this topic would be very much appreciated and welcomed... By the way, may I ask if anyone buying copper head gaskets from yourselves has returned them or made any complaints about premature failure? Just curious. I have never had a problem. But if everyone else has I would assume that you guys must have heard something about it at some point? If you have time, this is the thread where the discussion on copper head gaskets came up http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... sc&start=0

Thanks again Karcraft

Hey Karcraft,,, most of the boys (& girls) on "www.turbominis.co.uk" forum have been talking about a bad batch of them ,,,, apparently they`re all good again now tho

this is not my experience tho,,, i`ve never had an issue with BK450s,,, i am in love with them & want to have their babys ,,, just relating what`s been said in the turbo mini forum

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

In Europe MANY people have had serious trouble with Payen headgaskets lately. Story goes Payen recently decided to not have them any longer produced in the UK but elsewhere (SA!?). And since that move both BK450 & AF460 had issues with the fire rings.

Plus the stampings don't show 'made in UK' anymore and are realy deeply punshed into the gaskets, sometimes conection the water ways with fresh air... I've had both in my hands (old and 'new' gaskets) - the difference is quite obvious...

MiniSpares UK quit selling them for that reason. http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/inde ... 5818&fr=25 , http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/in ... k450&st=15

Maybe the dodgy ones never reached Australia - I don't know... But many people, as said, including me over here had troubles with blown &/or leaking gaskets made by Payen (even those who never experienced failure in 20+ years time - so can't be wrong fitment (and not all of a sudden in so many cases)).

As far as I know Payen asured that they sort the issues. Be glad if Oz is not affected by this! It's a right mess right now... And I hope they are available before all NOS sources dry out...

That's what I know about the 'Payen case'.

[edit] Oh - hey Matt - didn't hear of that yet. Sounds like good news!

Cheers,
Jan

PS: I'm runing a NOS asbestos TAM1521 from '85 now - it's as old as I am

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No speakers, no bodykits, no six-inch spacers, no spak filler, no bullshit

Here's what the guys in the good ol' USA have to say / offer on the subject of head gaskets;-

http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/AF460/InvDetail.cfm

Batch No 1291, on the right was one of those affected.

This one went on an engine, torqued up, filled with water... and it all came dribbling out the front of the block/head face, before we even put a cap on the radiator.

It looks alot different to other ones we've used, in particular around the oil way up to the rockers.

Either way, this one wouldn't seal, and the old one we pulled off is still going strong.