what is the verdict with head gaskets

[ray bear]

I have done a mans search of the site and Google etc on what people are having success with in head gaskets for 88mm Gilardoni kit going on to a  850 Eldorado loop motor, threes talk about the gasket with the oval pushrod holes but they only come in 83mm, someone said about removing the metal fire rings around the pushrod holes , talk about copper etc ,, My go to guy here in Aus says to just use the 1000 gasket from convert G5 etc but Im worried about oil seepage around the pushrod holes.   Whats the verdict please .  Thanks Ray

[moto-uno]

 Good question , about 1/4 century ago (or more) , I had a machinist make me a set of solid copper head
gaskets to fit . They are still in use 10's of thousands of kilometers later . One and done :) . Peter

[pete mcgee]

Ray,
Give Mario at Thunderbikes a ring and see what he suggests.

Cheers

[lucky phil]

Good question , about 1/4 century ago (or more) , I had a machinist make me a set of solid copper head
gaskets to fit . They are still in use 10's of thousands of kilometers later . One and done :) . Peter

You don't need a machinist to make a copper head gasket just some hand tools and a gas ring to anneal it afterwards.

Ciao

[ray bear]

high Pete, it was Mario that suggested to use standard  88mm gasket

[Murray]

high Pete, it was Mario that suggested to use standard  88mm gasket

I would suggest with the sheer volume of engine rebuilds thunderbikes do that is most likely the best practical advice.

[ray bear]

Murray my concern with doing it that way is possible oil seepage around the pushrod tube area . the combustion chamber seal will be OK . I will more than likely go that way and then get some copper gaskets made and I will have them in case needed

[lucky phil]

Murray my concern with doing it that way is possible oil seepage around the pushrod tube area . the combustion chamber seal will be OK . I will more than likely go that way and then get some copper gaskets made and I will have them in case needed

What you do is make the oil drain hole in the gasket a larger ID than required and use a Viton oring with an OD thats fits that hole ID and is .3mm thicker in cross section than the compressed thickness of the copper head gasket to seal the drain back holes.

Ciao

[ray bear]

lucky phil  that sounds like it would work ok , the time these kits have been made you would think that a ready made gasket would be available

[lucky phil]

lucky phil  that sounds like it would work ok , the time these kits have been made you would think that a ready made gasket would be available

I've wondered a few times how much money it would cost to have a run of MLS gaskets made for a Guzzi. I'm planning a 95mm bore Daytona engine so it's a back of the mind interest for me. MLS gaskets are so much superior to old style composite gaskets. My thoughts are that it would be too expensive but for the 83mm bores I have no idea how many of these exist.

Ciao 

[moto-uno]

 "Phil" , you're probably right about DIY'ing your own copper gaskets , but I had mine made somewhat thicker
  to help reduce the pre-ignition I was suffering . Today I'd probably try it , but I was waaaay younger then and
  worried too much about problems .  Peter

[lucky phil]

"Phil" , you're probably right about DIY'ing your own copper gaskets , but I had mine made somewhat thicker
  to help reduce the pre-ignition I was suffering . Today I'd probably try it , but I was waaaay younger then and
  worried too much about problems .  Peter

Yea Pete, got it. I'm currently caring for in one way shape or form 5 very elderly parents and am reflecting on how we all go about things before the years accumulate.   

Ciao

[tris]

You don't need a machinist to make a copper head gasket just some hand tools and a gas ring to anneal it afterwards.

Ciao

These days you need a good sheet metal shop. They would be able to scan it and then laser cut as many as you want.

I know of one in Lincoln........UK if that helps   

[Road Rocket]

There are several companies in the US that specialize in making custom copper gaskets for reasonable money in a variety of thicknesses…If you want a MLS gasket, Cometic is the name and does make them  supposedly on an individual basis..Just do a google search…
 Making your own is an option if you have the proper size cutting and punching tools and like to do that sort of thing.

[smdl]

Cometic made a few sets up for me out of copper. 

Cheers,
Shaun

[Guzzi Gal]

https://www.cometic.com/applications//moto-guzzi

[guzzista]

Copper gaskets require a bit more preparation to install, such as annealing and using a copper coating ( brush on or spray) as well as allow for the coating to set overnight before starting the engine. I have been using copper gaskets when available with good results,
 Fiber/ composite gaskets OTOH, are more user  friendly  to install and less prone to leaks (in general),
Adjusting squish is also possible  using copper gaskets  as they can be made of different thickness
Here in the US, the supplier below  provides Moto Guzzi base and head gaskets and can supply a variety of thickness .

https://coppergaskets.us/.