Head Gasket replacement

[Marka10]

Hi All
Anybody got any recommendation regarding using gasket compound on cylinder head gaskets.
My Bike is a a10

Cheers

[Splodger]

Hi Marka10,

I've put many a head gasket on A10s in the past, cast and alloy heads. Always used solid copper (annealed) gasket, never used jointing compound.
Make sure that you torque up the head bolts in the correct sequence - a bit at a time but always in the correct sequence.
Run your engine/bike for a wee while, cool off then tighten the bolts again to the correct torque which I think is about 30lb ft - please check tis figure elsewhere, my memory is getting old.

[Marka10]

hi Splodger

Thank you for reply, I will check torque settings, I have a new gasket so I believe it will not need to be annealed?

Mark

[AdrianS]

New gasket should be uncompressed and soft and does not require annealing. Just make sure the surfaces are very clean, drop the gasket and head onto the barrel and torque up as said in a previous post. Do it in stages and in the correct sequence!

[Marka10]

Hi Adrian

Is 30lb ft torque correct for head bolts.

Cheers
Mark

[Splodger]

According to SRMClassicbikes.com:
Torque settings:
BSA TWINS CYLINDER HEAD
BSA  A7 & A10    1950 -1963    All bolts 32ftlbs

[ChrisG]

SRM swear by using clear silicone bath sealant very sparingly between the cylinder head joint faces. I have been doing this for years with no detrimental effect.  I'm careful to keep it away from the oil drain holes at the front (A65 Head).
Chris

[STAR TWIN]

I prefer composite gaskets to solid copper. Solid copper ones do have a tendency to weep gently in my experience, despite careful annealing.