TR2/3/3A TR3 Head Gasket [Again]

[RedTR3]

I just discovered that upon close inspection, the NOS Payen head gasket that I've been saving has a small defect - it has this odd "fold" on a small portion of the outer edge where the main sheet is not retained by the edge wraparound. How critical is the outer edge? Question: Does this look useable or should I throw it out?

 

[TR3driver]

I'd probably give it a try. My experience has always been that compression gases are the hardest thing to keep sealed, and that area only has to seal against coolant.

 

[TRTEL]

I will second that recommendation.

Tom Lains

 

[RedTR3]

Hi Randall, perhaps my photo is not clear, this is the edge that is about 1" away from the #1 cylinder.

 

[TR3driver]

Yes, but there is water jacket between that edge and the cylinder. The really heavy-duty sealing happens at that inner ring around the cylinder. If that was damaged, I'd say "no go", but I think that outer edge will be fine. It only has to hold 20-30 psi tops, not the 1000+ psi inside the cylinder.