Head Gasket, copper coat or install dry

[jhenke]

2001 4.0 Cherokee. 0331 Head. Close to 300K miles.

Was over pressurizing the coolant system, pushing exhaust into the coolant, no mixing of coolant and oil.
Compression check showed number 4 was low at 90 #, all others at 120 #.
Head is at a machine shop, and they are checking for cracks.
Someone had been in this engine before, the head gasket that I pulled out was a Fel-Pro 9076 PT-1, looks to have been installed dry.

I am installing Fel-Pro 530 SD Severe Duty gasket, should I spray it with Copper Coat or is this best installed dry?

 

[lawsoncl]

Dry.

 

[BALTANAKT]

I use copper coat

 

[Ol Blue]

Dry. I like that gasket as well, that is what I have and it has been great so far.

Since its the 0331 head you should just throw it away (or return as core). Seems like a waste of time and money to have it checked for cracks and then reinstall it. Even if it comes back clean, its still a 0331 head and could go at any time. Do yourself a favor and just buy a Clearwater head or TUPY junkyard head.

 

[75SV1]

Dry. The copper coat and Indian head gasket sealants are for the older style of head gaskets. The Felpros are a multi-layer gasket and have seals on them. Instructions from Felpro says not to use sealants.
I have a 00 motor I recently pulled. 280K. Died of a broken piston skirt. The head is OK. I'd still consider using a TUPY head.