Wanted: McCoy 35 Redhead head gasket

I am looking for a McCoy 35 Redhead head gasket and backplate gasket too. I am done trying to fabricate one... Thanks!

Hi Phil,

Try a Fox Stunt 35 aluminum head gasket. It's a bit too large, but works. You're not supposed to reuse them, but I do.

The backplate gasket is a tougher one. Try MECOA, the people from California who sell the K&B parts engines. The backplate gasket from a Series '75 .35 might be a little too big, but should work.

An alternative is to lap the backplate unto the crankcase with some lapping or polishing coumpound. If you hand-lap it for around 5 minutes, until you see a full-circle, dark wear pattern on both mating surfaces, you can do without a backplate gasket.

I think Frank Bowman has these

High temperature RTV (red) makes great gaskets. Clean both surfaces with solvent, apply a thin layer on the back plate flange, install, back plate, and let cure for 72 hours. RTV will cure in hours, but does not reach maximum strength unless allowed to cure for that long.

Be careful, as the backplate can squeeze the RTV thinner than a paper gasket, so check clearance of the rod journal with no gasket to be sure there is enough clearance.

Haven't tried it as a head gasket, so I can't help you there.

Bill Adair

Thanks guys!

I think I have one on the way thanks to a friend here on the forum...

Frank Bowman... Of course! I should have thought of that one!

plain brown bag paper makes really good backplate gaskets...the other material you should be able to find in an auto parts store...heres how to make them...its easy...you place the mat'l on the engine hold it in place (you could use double back tape) and with a small ball peen hammer you tap on the gasket mat'l all around untill you have a nice "witness"... then u take a new xacto blade (or a real sharp pair of small scissors)and cut it out...for the holes a good sharp leather punch works well...or if you are careful you make a small slit with the xacto knife and just poke 'em thru.... jim