Air Compressor Gasket

[Train]

I have a triple head compressor, Eagle, that's blow a head gasket. Second time it's happened but on a different head. The first time I ordered a replacement gasket and it was insanely expensive for what it was. I have some cork gasket material the same thickness. Will that stand up if I make my own out of it?

 

[metlmunchr]

Cork won't work for that. Go to a place that sells plumbing and piping supplies (not a box store like HD or Lowe's) and get some sheet gasket material suitable for steam. Normally stocked in 1/16" and 1/8" but the thinner one would be best for a head gasket. It's fairly easy to cut with good scissors and a razor knife. It's made to withstand both high temperatures and high pressures.

I had a small DeVilbiss compressor that blew head gaskets regularly until I figured out the head bolts needed to be retorqued every 6 months or so. No problem after that for several years when I eventually gave it to my son.

 

[Jarwop]

Are the existing gaskets cork? I wouldn't think cork would stand up. I'd suggest google Fel-Pro and then their technical resources. Maybe contact them for suggestions. Here auto parts stores sell small flat sheets made in different materials.

 

[vwpieces]

try compressornow.com
Quincy parts are insane too. But I found a bunch of parts that crossed to Altas Copco at 1/3rd of the quincy retail on that site. Download the parts schematic of your compressor and search.
Quincy wanted over $300 for a valve plate on my QT-5 and I found it on that site for $110, and I received the complete service kit... gaskets, bolts... everything needed to R&R the valve plate.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Cork won't work for that. Go to a place that sells plumbing and piping supplies (not a box store like HD or Lowe's) and get some sheet gasket material suitable for steam. Normally stocked in 1/16" and 1/8" but the thinner one would be best for a head gasket. It's fairly easy to cut with good scissors and a razor knife. It's made to withstand both high temperatures and high pressures.

X2. BTDT a LOT of times over the years.

Tommy

 

[minimowog]

i had to replace a head gasket during a respray on my car, i used cardboard from a cereal box and it lasted fine and it's still on there, i did notice the head bolts were loose though, so i think it's a good idea to check them every so often

 

[gregs]

I had mine fail on a Dayton V twin compressor. Parts where hard to find for it. Mine happened to be round gasket with 4 bolt holes in it evenly spaced. I found a steam flange gasket on Zoro that was almost a perfect fit. I had to enlarge the bolt holes slightly. I was a metal reinforced, gray foil material and worked great. Only a few bucks a piece so I ordered some for spares.

 

[BillK]

it was insanely expensive for what it was.

What do you consider "insanely expensive" ?? How large is the gasket ? See if you can find a sheet of exhaust header material. This might work:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-5961

 

[Jswain]

Garlock 3000 / klingersil c-4400 or similar works great. Cereal box/paper type is a get you by gasket, and will work for sometime but if you're a heavy user ie: sandblasting for an hour straight, die grinder with the compressor running non stop then eventually the paper will burn up and blow out.

Felpro karropak works good enough for everything else but for the valve plate/headgasket I would use the above mentioned if you want a long time heavy duty repair.

 

[PoorUB]

Dayton is Graingers, they should have what you needed unless it is an antique.

 

[scofo]

I made a head gasket for my HF compressor with a 12pk beer box and "decked" the head with a piece of glass and sandpaper. Shot it with hi tack or copper coat, can't recall now. It has lasted over a decade longer than the original. If its easy to access you might want to try it.

Good luck.

 

[Olafur]

Probably in 2011 a compressor I was using couldn't fill the tank because the head gasket was blown. This is Italian made compressor, two cylinder with valve plate - so actually two quite complex gaskets with long narrow strips. Difficult to make properly. I knew a guy spent many hours making new gaskets for it months earlier and I saw many hours go down the drain if I was to attempt to make them. This was Friday evening and I was going to use the weekend to finish a job.

So I took it a part and cleaned the head, cylinders and valve plate very well. Then I used thin layer of red High Temp RTV silicone to seal it. I also sealed the outlet manifold with same method. Let it sit overnight and fired it up the morning after and could use it over the weekend like I planned.

The fun thing: This compressor is still running in the shop. It's set to 10 bars and has 7hp motor. I was using it just last week, and saw the thin red silicone beds around the joints. Just like I left it over 10 years ago. Works fine and no leaks I could detect.

I have done this on few compressors since. But none of them has seen as much use as this one. I consider high temp RTV as good if not better than some original gaskets - based on experience. And I will probably never consider making gaskets for air compressors again - unless the gasket is used to provide clearance.