QUESTION
Yesterday evening we had a telephone conversation where we discussed the merits and construction of various head gaskets
I recently purchased this upper gasket set from the UK
What are your thoughts about using the steel and copper laminated gasket in this set?
G.N. - Woolwich, NSW
ANSWER
From the photograph you have sent, it looks as if you have purchased a regular Payen top gasket set
Payen were an OEM to the Lotus Factory and have supplied the same kit since early 1960s
These components are OK to use but gasket technology has moved on significantly to improve reliability
The older type head gasket is a steel and copper laminate type and is therefore vulnerable to water ingress around the coolant gallery passages
Later composite head gaskets eliminate coolant ingress and are better at handling extreme temperature cycling
Laminate constructed head gaskets also require the head bolts to be re-torqued after 500 miles
Composite head gaskets do not have creep characteristics and are often branded "mono-torque" as they do not need to be re-torqued
The choice of head gasket often comes down to personal experience but I would suggest its preferable to chase reliability when building Lotus twin cam engine
Copyright © 2019 Lotus Marques
Yesterday evening we had a telephone conversation where we discussed the merits and construction of various head gaskets
I recently purchased this upper gasket set from the UK
What are your thoughts about using the steel and copper laminated gasket in this set?
G.N. - Woolwich, NSW
ANSWER
From the photograph you have sent, it looks as if you have purchased a regular Payen top gasket set
Payen were an OEM to the Lotus Factory and have supplied the same kit since early 1960s
These components are OK to use but gasket technology has moved on significantly to improve reliability
The older type head gasket is a steel and copper laminate type and is therefore vulnerable to water ingress around the coolant gallery passages
Later composite head gaskets eliminate coolant ingress and are better at handling extreme temperature cycling
Laminate constructed head gaskets also require the head bolts to be re-torqued after 500 miles
Composite head gaskets do not have creep characteristics and are often branded "mono-torque" as they do not need to be re-torqued
The choice of head gasket often comes down to personal experience but I would suggest its preferable to chase reliability when building Lotus twin cam engine
Copyright © 2019 Lotus Marques
