Lister D head gasket

After a successful run of my Lister D since purchase I decided to clean the hopper of rust etc with caustic which has proved okay, then I thought I would take the head off to have a little look..... anyway, fortunately after removing the nuts, the head lifted off perfectly... there was only slight corrosion on one stud....

Anyway, whilst being very careful to try and save the copper head gasket, it proved that one area around a stud actually was pretty manky.. hence why one stud had a little corrosion, as it was this bit of the gasket that had let go...

anyway, my question is... I know a coppper gasket that is not damaged can be re-used, but there seems to be some fibre gaskets for sale... what is best?

Some people are charging £30 for a copper gasket, and others £10... and fibre ones for £8... but is a fibre one better? I assume they should seal better than copper?

In the past with other stuff.... ie V8's and landrover diesels... the fibre gaskets have been the preffered option to metal, ie fibre gaskets allow for intolerances...ie such as built in factory faults etc etc....

whilst a fibre gasket does not last as long on a 200Tdi as a laminated metal gasket, it does at least seal 100% for the time you are using it, then you change it again at say 60k miles....

shall I assume this can be the case for the Lister D gaskets?

ie if I use a fibre gasket it will seal perfectly but cannot be re-used...

I prefer this option to a re-usable leaky metal gasket...

of note though... I have fond memories of working on a 5 cylinder Gardner diesel when i was 9 years old..... and that had NO gaskets on the top end (apart from the head gasket)... it was supposed to be so perfectly machined that it did not need gaskets or any sealant.....

anyway, the engine when running flatout at 50mph (in an ERF 10 ton) used to have a lovely fine oil mist constantly spraying from the top end......

Dont talk to me about Gardner's! Personally I tend to use the fibre gaskets as (A) They will fill odd pits etc in the head and block faces and (B) I am a tight wad!! I dont reckon to take the head off again for many years after a rebuild so reusing a gasket doesn't bother me much. I get my gaskets from Brian Sims at http://www.vintagefarmbooks.com/Catalogue/files/Catalogue12.09.12.pdf

Pete.

Thanks for that, yes same for me, once I get it bolted back together it won't get taken to bits again unless absolutely essential.

The copper gasket is the proper gasket to use but as long as the fibre one does it's job what difference does it make except to your pocket.
If you do want a cheapish copper gasket SE parts do one for £14.00.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lister-D-Stationary-Engine-Copper-Head-Gasket-Lister-D-Head-Gasket-/370675597501?pt=UK_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item564dfcc0bd

Stu.