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Engine basics => Engine set up tips => Topic started by: Chris Wilson on January 24, 2013, 06:28:52 PM

Title: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Chris Wilson on January 24, 2013, 06:28:52 PM

Hi all,
I am looking for an alloy replacement for the fibre head gasket on my Merco 35.


The I.D. is 20mm and the O.D. is 24 but anything with a 20mm I.D. would be fine.

I know, I can make one but if there is something out there that I can use I will use it.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Al Burczycki on January 25, 2013, 10:09:19 AM

Hi Chris,   I use the universal head gasket, the Fox 35. It fits nearly all 35's and will fit the Merco 35. It actually works better than the fiber one as it will transfer heat better, and the head is removable without damage to the gasket.

Al Burczycki

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Chris Wilson on January 27, 2013, 02:20:27 PM

Quote from: Al Burczycki on January 25, 2013, 10:09:19 AM

Hi Chris,   I use the universal head gasket, the Fox 35. It fits nearly all 35's and will fit the Merco 35. It actually works better than the fiber one as it will transfer heat better, and the head is removable without damage to the gasket.

Al Burczycki

Al, thanks for the help here.

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Lauri Malila on January 27, 2013, 03:19:29 PM

Hi. With a lathe & some sharp tools, shims are easy to make. (They don't have to be as complicated as the ones in pictures :))
Just stack pieces of shim stock with cyano and have some fun with lathe. Then dissolve the cyano in acetone. L

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Chris Wilson on January 27, 2013, 04:01:33 PM

Quote from: Lauri Malila on January 27, 2013, 03:19:29 PM

Hi. With a lathe & some sharp tools, shims are easy to make. (They don't have to be as complicated as the ones in pictures :))
Just stack pieces of shim stock with cyano and have some fun with lathe. Then dissolve the cyano in acetone. L

Hi Lauri,
            a lathe is a useful tool but if you don't have one the most useful tool sometimes is a Visa card!

(Nice work as usual mate.)

Cheers. :)

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Timothy Payne on January 30, 2013, 02:50:35 PM

I'd use the original one as a template and make a couple out of copper foil. Then put one either side of the original gasket, and use all three! - I know this sounds like a bit of a botch job, but I did it on my Fox 36X and it runs better than ever (after some correct tightening of the headbolts:-).

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Chris Wilson on January 30, 2013, 03:01:38 PM

Quote from: Timothy Payne on January 30, 2013, 02:50:35 PM

I'd use the original one as a template and make a couple out of copper foil. Then put one either side of the original gasket, and use all three! - I know this sounds like a bit of a botch job, but I did it on my Fox 36X and it runs better than ever (after some correct tightening of the headbolts:-).

Hi Tim,
          ever try pulling a gummed up 40 year old fibre gasket out of a tight fitting channeled groove?

You won't get it out undamaged and indeed mine came away after 3 days soaking in kero, judicious levering with a jewelers screw driver and in more than 7 different pieces and strips.

Anyway, Randy Smith is on the job and hopefully some Fox 35 ones will fit.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Chris Wilson on March 05, 2013, 04:06:27 PM

Enya 35 head gaskets fit a Merco 35 perfectly.

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: rustler on March 06, 2013, 02:17:01 PM

Some folks lap the top of the cylinder to make sure it's dead flat, then lap the head to the cylinder. Then fit whatever gasket.
Copper sounds good, will probably "distort" to accommodate any slight irregularities without any lapping.

Title: Re: Merco 35 Head Gasket replacement.
Post by: Chris Wilson on March 06, 2013, 02:51:23 PM

Quote from: rustler on March 06, 2013, 02:17:01 PM

Some folks lap the top of the cylinder to make sure it's dead flat, then lap the head to the cylinder. Then fit whatever gasket.
Copper sounds good, will probably "distort" to accommodate any slight irregularities without any lapping.

Hi Ian,
          glad that you chimed in here.
Lapping sounds good as the gasket is aluminum not copper.

I have reassembled the head, dunked it inverted in a glass jar full of kero and brought it up to compression  - no bubbles detected so I guess that it has no leaks.

I have got Herb Hanna looking at it when finished so I can't go too far wrong mate.

Cheers.