Originally Posted by
kenh3497
OK, every situation is a bit different. I've had reasonable luck with the RTV but like I said ALL oil has to be removed for the silicone to bond. FWIW you can reuse the copper washers many times if you heat the washer red hot with a torch and let it cool naturally/slowly. This is an annealing process and it works. If you have an old gasket laying around, feel how stiff it is before the process and after. It will be "dead soft" after annealing.
Sounds like you are on the right path with your header at the present time. I hope it stays tight for you. We all learn when something goes right...and wrong!
Ken
Yep, know all about annealing. Fitter and turner by trade for the last 25 years.
Unless the copper washers get damaged, there is no need to replace them, ever. There is no need to anneal them either as they are already soft. If they weren't soft, they wouldn't work as a gasket.
The flange that screws into the head doesn't come loose , so the copper washers don't get taken off at all.
Another 4 flights today, which makes it 33.