Agree on all accounts...

Re: copper gaskets... They used to be great, as the were pretty thick and impregnated with some form of solder.. its been a long time since I've seen those, though.. nowadays they are stamped, and get no flatter than they are.. there is no crush like they used to have.. if you can't find the thick ones impregnated with whatever solder material, and you used stamped copper, those decks better be flat as can be..

The old ones you'd bake for a bit at a high temp, then install. You'd get one good crush, and the solder would bridge tiny gaps.. they were pretty slick when hot rodders didn't have access to machine shops like we do now..

 

http://www.goodvibesracing.com/Copper_Gasket_Tech.htm

https://summitracing.custhelp.com/ap...ead-gaskets%3F

Little light reading for ya... there are more detailed articles but its all the same premise...

They conduct heat better so you're less likely to warp the head (in your case warping it more)

They also stretch more before failing

And they have a higher tensile strength..

 

Good Link. Thanks for the info

 

it easy to check for a warped head once off place a straight edge along the surface and look for gaps

 

the 4.7's are bad on tps sensors have seen a lot of 4.7 's with surging idle i bet tps is done and i would check compession on the motor 4.7 's are also bad on head gasket's . you can fill the each clylider with compressed air close valves on that suspected cylinder and see it you have bubbles in your rad with rad cap off during test .if you do head gasket is gone

 

well i set them on my granite counter tops with no signs of gaps.

 

Here are some tips I've learned after building some motors (mostly older V8's, LS Motors, and some Subaru Boxers)

DO NOT get those gaskets that look like a wafer (or waffle)... your best two options are either the OEM (from the stealership) or a waterjet/laser cut copper gasket.

And if you use the OEM gasket you can get yourself some copper head gasket spray, if you can't afford the straight up copper gasket. It has some of the same properties as using a copper gasket.

 

Well before i learned all this i had already placed my order and had one gasket on.
They Gaskets i bought look identical to them OEM so i hope im ok. Copper Spray will prolly be bought for saftey