Aluminium Cylinder Heads

[meadowbrook]

To those folks who have used aluminium heads, wouldn't there be issues with blown head gaskets because the block is iron and the different rates of thermal expansion between aluminium and iron would tend to 'grind' the head gasket. I understand modern engines with this setup have gaskets designed to allow this different expansion rates with graphite, etc.

 

Do you use a different type of head gasket? Do you have to retorque the head?

 

Just wondering.

[martybose]

I used a standard FelPro gasket with my Edmunds head.  I did retorque the head several times after going through a couple of heat cycles; just kept retorquing until I reached the point where none of them were changing.  I haven't touched them in a couple of years since then.

 

Marty

[dale]

Are you using the pink anti-freeze for this aluminum-steel combo  ?  Ive heard the other eats away at the gaskets.  VW uses the pink stuff.

[Andydodge]

I've always understood that copper or copper coated head gaskets were a big no-no when using an Aluminium head as it causes corrosion around the head studs/bolts......for that reason I had a Best brand gasket set with a steel gasket for when I was going to use the Edgy head..........but ended up selling the unbuiltup engine before getting to that stage......I hadn't heard of any blown gasket problems due specifically to the different types of metals so long as the correct torque specs and methods were used..........andyd

[bones44]

I asked the same question to Earl Egerton and his reply was.

 

Yes copper can erode aluminum, but as long as you use antifreeze, it should be fine as I believe there is a substance in it that neutralizes the chemical reaction between the two. 

 

Earl

​