Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Caroline · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Hiya, I'm an archaeologist currently working on a collection WWII military equipment dumped in an Australian, including various car & light truck engines, parts & accessories. My knowledge of vintage car parts is faily limited and I was hoping someone here may be able to help me identify some of the pieces? First up is a couple of solid copper head gaskets that I cant place and have had no luck identifying after visiting several mechanics in town. I've attached a photo of one of them - before and after cleaning. If anyone has any advice of suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Thank you,
Caroline.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Caroline,

Welcome to the forum.

My Edmunds Walker cataloque dates from 1952 and has gasket outlines but I can't see anything matching. From that I'd say it's not British and it is from an Overhead Valve engine.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
It would help if you could tell us what the length of the coloured divisions on your reference sticks are.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Caroline · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Hi,
I'm sorry I forgot to post measurements. The black & yellow scale is in 10 cm increments. The gaskets measure approximately 668 mm long x 242 wide and bore diameter is around 105 - 110 mm.
Thanks again,
Caroline.

Caroline · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Hi Peter,
Thank you very much for your reply. That helps narrow it down a lot. We've found a view American and Canadian vehicle parts in the same area, so I'll direct my research along those lines.
Thanks again Very Happy

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Sydney

For sure it is OHV as there are holes for the push rods. Perhaps it is before WW II as it is solid copper. I think my 1936 Austin Ruby had a composite head gasket, asbestos between two thin layers of copper. My JAP vee twin of about 1930 vintage had solid copper head gaskets.

Would it be a head gasket from an American V 8 ? The Americans always liked to make big engines.

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Sydney

Perhaps it is from an air cooled diesel ? I would expect more/larger holes for water cooling.

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

Might be worth sending these people an email.

http://www.gasketstogo.com/Gaskets.htm

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Sydney

Yes, I was going to say exactly the same thing. But they only seem to copy what you have got. Run by an American, they can make a one off of any head gasket, including a series 1 Landrover....

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Sydney

I got the link from www.smokstak.com a good American site for anybody that likes old big oil engines etc. There is also a section for Australian people. There is a show on 13-14 Sept out at Richmond, west of Sydney.

Caroline · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Hi Roger-hatchy, thanks for your suggestion - I'll do that Smile

Caroline · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Hiya Mog,
Thank you for all your comments. It could very well be before WWII - we've found a few earlier artefacts from 1920s-1930s scattered around, though most stuff has been associated with WWII equipment dumped into the harbour. It could also be from an American V8 [as you say, they did always like to make things big!] - we've found some clearly identifiable US car and truck engines / engine parts. And to make it more complicated, we've also found some marine engine parts [I think].
Thank you for the Smokstack website link too - lots of good stuff on there!
Thanks again for all your help, I'm really getting the ID narrowed down Smile