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Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:26 pm

Hey folks! I'm finishing up my first-ever semi-rebuild of the 1600cc in my '72 superbeetle convertible. New rings, a couple of new exhaust valves, cylinders honed, valves ground, now things are going back together. I bought a complete engine gasket kit and have replaced 'em all. However . . . is there supposed to be some type of gasket between the cylinders and the head? I don't see anything in my kit for that. Thanks for the help!!

Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:28 pm

We don' t use them.

Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:03 pm

So everything will seal up ok without a gasket there?

Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:08 pm

Yes.

Make sure head/cylinder/case mating surfaces are CLEAN and dry!

Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:12 pm

Great! Thanks for the help, guys!!

Mon Apr 27, 2015 6:31 pm

I've never heard of or even seen cylinder to head gaskets. Just metal on metal. Seals just fine.

Mon Apr 27, 2015 6:39 pm

I have a trick a friend taught me who has been building engines since the early 80s I use. I take some valve lapping compound, and use an old cylinder to lap all the sealing surfaces of all 4 cylinders in the head, as well as the case sealing surfaces.

Mon Apr 27, 2015 6:55 pm

awreed wrote: I've never heard of or even seen cylinder to head gaskets. Just metal on metal. Seals just fine.

Is it possible that you're talking about shims that are used to set the deck height?

Tue Apr 28, 2015 1:16 pm

In the past, I have seen "COPPER HEAD GASKETS" used between cyl's & head...will help lower compression........ :!:

Tue Apr 28, 2015 5:18 pm

Steel rings were used between the head and cylinder when a head rebuild was done with fly cutting but the pistons and cylinders werent replaced...like mr_bill said,to maintain correct compression after fly cutting..

Tue Apr 28, 2015 5:52 pm

There should not be any metal gaskets between the cylinder and the head. I think a 36hp and a stale air 40hp may have had copper gaskets, but I don't even think those were necessary. It'll seal up just fine if the mating surfaces aren't messed up.

The PO of my '67 stuck some metal gaskets between the cylinders and the head and it resulted in this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=621026&highlight=

If you want to set the deck height/compression ratio, use shims between the case and the cylinders.

Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:07 pm

Quote: Is it possible that you're talking about shims that are used to set the deck height?

Cylinder shims to set deck height go on the case side of the cylinders, correct?

Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:11 pm

awreed wrote: Quote: Is it possible that you're talking about shims that are used to set the deck height?

Cylinder shims to set deck height go on the case side of the cylinders, correct?

From what I've learned here, I do believe you're correct.