I noticed that some top end gasket kits have a copper head gasket. Anybody use these ?

My EVO Sportster had copper head gaskets and that's all my old Triumphs used. They are reusable if you heat them up with a torch. At least the old ones were.

 

They can be annealed just the same,
Some prefer them,
Some don't,
Damm near the same category as oil,

 

Didn't know there was a controversy about head gaskets !

I know about the oil one very well. Every thing that runs on oil and has a forum, carries a long running debate on oil.

Might give the copper head gaskets a try. I have a big can of copper coat somewhere.

 

Unless you're running serious compression copper gaskets on a shovel are a waste. Also if the heads are not completely flat and true and most aren't they'll leak by. Stick with the Cometic metal composit wafer ones for a stock or near stock motor.

 

What do you consider serious compression ?

 

Over 10.5-1.

 

Yeah but I have no idea what this 88" is set at compression wise. The number 9.7 to 1 was thrown out there as typical of the S&S 88" Sidewinder.

The gaskets that came off are James gaskets with a fire ring. Those come highly recommended.

 

The firering is what I'm runnin on my (Far as I know) Stock 80"
They had the Blue ones in there but blew out at the oil drain hole,
Twisted is on it,
Make sure the surfaces are flat,
Also add Make sure the head fastener inserts ain't pulled,

 

Those are fine for your application, simple way to tell if you can one leg push the kicker through without having to throw your weight into it you don't need copper head gaskets. Old school tip here.

Run a compression test and post the numbers I'll tell you have and what you'll need .

 

I ran a compression check with the carb off. It was 150 lbs. on each cylinder cold. It was fairly easy to kick with the plugs in but would hit a point where it would just stop me dead.

Thanks about the head inserts. I hear they can cause problems with gasket sealing.