Steel head gasket

[foofoournan]

I have fitted a steel 1275 head gasket to my Morris the other day, I normally fit copper ones but when I got this one they had not copper ones in.

I have never had a problem with the copper ones, the only reason I have changed it was so I could re build the engine because of an odd sound (turn out it was the timing chain)

So I fitted a steel gasket, I have only done a few miles since fitting but at the end of every little drive I find the oil cap to be white. I think really this is a sociological thing I have heard many bad reports about steel gaskets and I think this is what has caused it!
I have looked at the dip stick, that's not white on the bottom, but I can't tell if the oil on the bottom is water or just runny oil :/

Please could someone help!
Thanks
David

[les]

Sorry I can't help, I have never heard of a steel gasket, will be interested in the replies. However if you've heard bad reports------

[MarkyB]

I have only done a few miles

That's probably why, if the engine doesn't get hot enough white stuff will appear.
I doubt it's a sociological thing, might be psychosomatic though
Did you test the gasket with a magnet? Aluminium is softer than steel and cheaper than copper and would be my bet.

[bmcecosse]

It will be fine, hopefully you put a thin smear of grease on both faces.... and have you retorqued it (44 ft lbf) after the first heat cycle? If it's an A+ engine with head nuts with a 'flange' then 50 ft lbf. And then reset the valve gaps??

[rayofleamington]

It's definitely not recommended to put grease on a headgasket. e.g. by Morris when they made the engines
or indeed by the big car companies that make millions of engines today.

I doubt it's easy to directly attribute a failure to using grease on a headgasket but why take the risk when it gives no benefit?

[bmcecosse]

Ahh but it does......standard practice on comp A series engines. I've always done it - on all my engines, following the example of many others. But - each to their own! I like to learn from the experience of others........

[MarkyB]

Just because something isn't done by a manufacturer doesn't make it a bad idea, they have other priorities.

[bmcecosse]

And they are working with brand new surfaces - and to a tight time schedule.....

[les]

I can't see any disadvantages in a smear of grease, I've felt it lets the gasket surface 'spread and settle' for want of another description.

[rayofleamington]

grease expands when hot and then when very hot goes very thin and runs away, potentially leaving weak spots in the gasket where it's less compressed...

Just because something isn't done by a manufacturer doesn't make it a bad idea, they have other priorities.

Priorities like 100% right first time, zero defects etc..
The same principle applies to the fake magic / snake oil fuel line magnets or zinc / tin pellets in the fuel tank- if it gave a benefit, ever car maker would already be doing it.

The headgasket doesn't need to slip or slide about - I guess the grease was an olde worlde aid used back in the days of cork, leather & fabric gaskets, but if you ask anyone with a good engineering background in combustion engines, it is not recommended for headgaskets.

[les]

All those years doing it wrong, amazing not to have had a blown gasket. Oh hang on, yes I did once on an Allegro, maybe I overdid the grease!! ---or did I forget to re-torque.

[MarkyB]

Priorities like 100% right first time, zero defects etc..

You seem to be confusing the British and Japanese car industries.

[bmcecosse]

Surprising to think that BMC Works mechanics were doing it wrong too!

[les]

It's a wonder they won so many rallies!