Topic: CB750- Head Gasket Prep-trolling for suggestions

[MCRider]

Working as we are, a little bit each week, its sometimes hard to anticipate the problem of the week. We're near putting the head on. So I retrieve the head cheeze (gasket) from its cardboard sleeve where it has resided nearly undisturbed for nigh on 12 years. It is a Klingerit brand, furnished by the machinist that got my Arias pistons and did my boring etc. (Ron Scrimsa: Racing Engine Service: Texas)

Klingerit was a manufacturer/material that was highly rated at the time for flexibility and compliance for head gaskets. By now mine is very dried out. Over the years, I've heard gaskets should go on dry, light gasgacinch, light oiling, or a combo.

I have lightly coated the gasket on both sides with motoroil, rubbed it in with my fingers and blotted off with papertowel, am currently pressing between two cardboards with weight. The gasket soaked it up quickly.

So the deed is done, but what would you have done? Installed it dry. Used Gasgacinch, etc.

[HondaMan]

Hmmm...that's a gasket maker I don't know about. 
Most of the head gaskets I've used (if not copper) on these bikes were originally an asbestos sandwich with wire lattice (like screen) and a waxy sealing (thin) film on both sides. Along the way, the asbestos disappeared and became [whatever it is today] material, still with the wire lattice and sealing films. The gaskets I am familiar with (for these bikes) don't absorb oil readily, so soaking them wouldn't do much.

Can you show a picture of this one? It sounds special... 

[MCRider]

Hmmm...that's a gasket maker I don't know about. 
Most of the head gaskets I've used (if not copper) on these bikes were originally an asbestos sandwich with wire lattice (like screen) and a waxy sealing (thin) film on both sides. Along the way, the asbestos disappeared and became [whatever it is today] material, still with the wire lattice and sealing films. The gaskets I am familiar with (for these bikes) don't absorb oil readily, so soaking them wouldn't do much.

Can you show a picture of this one? It sounds special... 

Thanks. In a Google search I've come up with this as the best reference so far.
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/343061550/Klingerit_1000_asbestos_gasket_sheet.html
My gasket has this same "Klingerit 1000" graphic. Of course it is cut for the holes and the combustion rings are silver (steel?) in color. So the question morphs into, does this type of material have a shelf life? Should I be looking to replace this with a fresh gasket age wise?

I'll get a picture.

[HondaMan]

Wow, graphite-impregnated asbestos! That's a heck of a strong gasket. I don't see any special need for "re-wetting" it (or whatever the process might be dubbed?), as the asbestos won't really absorb anythng (and graphite certainly won't, either). I suppose all that the oil would do later is squish out from the head torque on it?

That sounds like the gaskets from the old 427ci SOHC Ford engines with the 12:1 piston kits (850 HP on the street, circa 1966). They were different from the regular FE gaskets, felt almost flimsy in the fingers, like a fabric. But they could hold in all the compression and the 8500+ RPM those big V-8 engines could (still can) do. Tough stuff!

[MCRider]

Wow, graphite-impregnated asbestos! That's a heck of a strong gasket. I don't see any special need for "re-wetting" it (or whatever the process might be dubbed?), as the asbestos won't really absorb anythng (and graphite certainly won't, either). I suppose all that the oil would do later is squish out from the head torque on it?

That sounds like the gaskets from the old 427ci SOHC Ford engines with the 12:1 piston kits (850 HP on the street, circa 1966). They were different from the regular FE gaskets, felt almost flimsy in the fingers, like a fabric. But they could hold in all the compression and the 8500+ RPM those big V-8 engines could (still can) do. Tough stuff!

Like I said, it was pitched to me as being the top of the line stuff at the time. I just put the thinnest of surface coat of oil. Teenie tiny drops rubbed in by my fingerstips. No soaking or the like.

So... think its safe to use even though its 12 years old? Not holding you to it, who can know for sure?

[HondaMan]

Wow, graphite-impregnated asbestos! That's a heck of a strong gasket. I don't see any special need for "re-wetting" it (or whatever the process might be dubbed?), as the asbestos won't really absorb anythng (and graphite certainly won't, either). I suppose all that the oil would do later is squish out from the head torque on it?

That sounds like the gaskets from the old 427ci SOHC Ford engines with the 12:1 piston kits (850 HP on the street, circa 1966). They were different from the regular FE gaskets, felt almost flimsy in the fingers, like a fabric. But they could hold in all the compression and the 8500+ RPM those big V-8 engines could (still can) do. Tough stuff!

Like I said, it was pitched to me as being the top of the line stuff at the time. I just put the thinnest of surface coat of oil. Teenie tiny drops rubbed in by my fingerstips. No soaking or the like.

So... think its safe to use even though its 12 years old? Not holding you to it, who can know for sure?

Well, actually, I can't think of any reason that sort of gasket could "dry out" or something like that. I remember how the old wax-paper gaskets used to dry out (circa 1950-60), but those have been gone for more years than I think I'd like to remember...

[MCRider]

Thanks, I'm going to use it. My risk. I t does have a waxy feel to the surface. Can't really say it "soaked up" the light oiling. It just darkened the surface color.  Now that I know what its made of, asbestos and wire, I'm more comfortable.

[bryanj]

As I am back from my hols i will throw in my 2 penorth.

When i was in the merchant navy (UK) Klingerite was a well known brand and we kept it in sheets of different thicknesses and types. Usd correctly it will hold 750PSI superheated steam at a pipe flange joint

[MCRider]

Thanks for that Bryan. Here's the pics HM asked for. Klingerit 1000 graphic on the material.

[HondaMan]

Wow, that even LOOKS like an expensive gasket!