Head gasket

[phil bsa b31]

Hi all putting a b31 together when I stripped it there was no head gasket and looking on dragonfly I can not see one this is a 1948 ridged should it have a gasket 
 Thanks Phil

[33d6]

As with many British ohv singles the B31 has no head gasket. The head is lapped to the barrel using anything from coarse valve grinding paste to Brasso depending on how keen you are. The type  of frame it is fitted to, rigid or plunger rear suspension is irrelevant.

Possibly a workshop manual could be of use to you.

Have fun.

[chaterlea25]

Hi Phil,
If the head and cylinder spigot faces are clean then just fit as is, with a smear of copper grease if you like
If there are signs of leakage, lap head to cylinder using fine paste on the inner face and coarse on the outer
This method leaves a minute gap on the outer face so the clamping is done on the inner surface
All bets are off when components from different engines are fitted !!

John

[phil bsa b31]

Thanks once again always a help   Phil