Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Hi, how thick can a VB headgasket be?
I've got a copper sheet 1.5mm thick, is that o.k. or to thick ?
Thanks

vincent

Drags make theirs from 1mm copper, 1.5 will lower your compression ratio by probably .1, so I would mill your copper sheet down a little as you will need every last horse power.

Thanks Roger, I was more worried about the possible blow out a thick gasket could do.
Not so worried about those lost horsepowers down here in polderland....

Vincent,
Just checked my VB head gaskets and the copper one bought from Draganfly about 5 years ago is 36 thou (0.91mm) thick, an unused asbestos type is 64 thou (1.63mm) thick and a much used asbestos type is compressed to 50 thou (1.27mm) thick. I think your 1.5 mm material will do!
Regards from MikeN.

Thanks for measuring it up Mike. I will use the copper I have .

Don't forget the air is thicker below sea level in South Holland

The ones I got from Club Spares last year are 1.5mm thick and have been no problem in my overheating prone VB for the last 6000 miles.

This is my former Ariel, A 557cc 1933 VA-3. It was fitted with a 600 VB barrel, so the piston stopped 3.5 mm (!!) before TDC due to the different stroke of a 557cc sidevalve. (95mm in stead of 102mm) The bike drove like a dream, and reached 90-100kmh with no problem at all...

Really nice Ariel Paul, mine should become looking similar I hope !

Don't forget the side valve rally in June, details in cheval, non side valve bike are acceptable.
Route planned just over 110 miles with stops.

Dave