LYC 0-145 HEAD GASKET BLOWN

[Rodney Zapf]

I am about to replace a blown head gasket on my LYC 0-145. I have purchased (at a very dear price) a new set of head gaskets, 2 shim gaskets (aluminum .025 ea.) and one copper (crush) compression gasket. The book calls for the use of both shim gaskets plus the copper crush gasket. I was wondering if I might use just one of the .025 shim gaskets thus getting a tighter crush on the copper compression gasket. I have heard that this is a fairly common answer to getting a good seal on the older engines but this has been here say only and I cannot find it documented. Any thoughts on this one????? Rod

[Rodney Zapf]

Thanks guys for all of the interest shown. I got the answer I was looking for from the other club I belong to, the Aeronca Aviators Club. My 0-145 head will be going back on using only 1 shim gasket versus the two recommended in the manual. Rod Zapf

[Rodney Zapf]

Thanks guys for all of the interest shown. I got the answer I was looking for from the other club I belong to, the Aeronca Aviators Club. My 0-145 head will be going back on using only 1 shim gasket versus the two recommended in the manual. Rod Zapf

[Rodney Zapf]

Thanks guys for all of the interest shown. I got the answer I was looking for from the other club I belong to, the Aeronca Aviators Club. My 0-145 head will be going back on using only 1 shim gasket versus the two recommended in the manual. Rod Zapf

[Rodney Zapf]

Thanks guys for all of the interest shown. I got the answer I was looking for from the other club I belong to, the Aeronca Aviators Club. My 0-145 head will be going back on using only 1 shim gasket versus the two recommended in the manual. Rod Zapf

[Richard Murray]

Rodney,

Sorry you didn't get a response here. Nearly everyone migrated to the NAA Facebook page and I have no experience with the O-145 Lycoming.

Richard

[Rodney Zapf]

Should I be on the NAA facebook page? Never heard of it but I try to stay away from facebook, maybe I have to join the modern day world. Rod

[MikeB]

Rod,
Personally I prefer this site but it got to the point where it was difficult to post pictures and it seemed most of the regular posters went to Face Book. I dragged my feet for a long time but finally made the switch although I check this one on daily basis too. I really liked the search function on this site and of course it's been around a long time so there's a lot of history on here.

Mike Berg

[Richard Murray]

Rod,

Someone on here likened Facebook to a vortex and while I made the move, I found it indeed took too much attention to stay with all of the endless dribble. This forum and the f-AA maillist http://aeronca.westmont.eduhave the largest concentration of knowledgeable individuals participating. I wouldn't be without either and check each daily.

Richard

[Rodney Zapf]

Replaced head gasket, and used only one shim . This after talking to a number of the 0-145 gurus in the country. After propping over the "new" cylinder seems so strong I am tempted to do the other three even though there is no sign of leakage. I plan on a "run-up" and re-torque of the head bolts before re-cowling. I want to thank Bob Clark, one of the 0-145 experts I considered before going forward with my project. I have developed a pretty good inventory of 0-145 experts to call on if I can be of any help to others who have one of the little"lykes" and need some advice.

[Rodney Zapf]

After a discussion with Bob Clark and a few other 0-145 Lycoming folks I decided to put the head back on using only one (1) shim gasket versus two as stated in the book. I found a few inconsistancies as I "miked" head and cylinder and figured a little more "crush" on the copper head gasket could not hurt. Everything went together very nicely. After hand propping the engine the "new" cylinder seemed stronger than the others which tempts me to do the other three cylinders. Will do a minor run-up, warm the heads, re-torque and go for it. Thanks Bob Clark, Lee Brown (parts), Ted (0-145 mag and carb guy), and others who helped me make the decisions needed to get my Chief back in the air. Rod

[Richard Murray]

[quote=" I have developed a pretty good inventory of 0-145 experts to call on if I can be of any help to others who have one of the little"lykes" and need some advice.[/quote]

Thanks Rod for sharing. Stay active and lets keep 'em flying.