Head gasket

From MopedWiki

The head gasket is the gasket that goes between the cylinder block and the cylinder head. Head gaskets help this connection between cylinder and cylinder head seal. Thicker, or multiple head gaskets also serve to decrease compression.

Some moped engines, such as those found on Sachs mopeds, have cylinders permanently connected to the cylinder head. On these engines, there is no need for a head gasket.

Some mopeds are able to run without a head gasket. To run without a head gasket, the mating surfaces of the cylinder and cylinder head must be smooth and perfectly flat. Some tuners remove their head gaskets to increase the amount of compression on their engine.

Head gaskets can be made of metal, paper, or felt.

Head gaskets made of metals like aluminum or copper can be reused. Once removed, one technique for preparing these gaskets for reuse is to anneal them with direct heat. This softens them some, and allows them to compress again when re-installed between the cylinder and cylinder head.