I have one 914-2.0 w/ head gaskets and one 914-2.0 w/o head gaskets. I'll probably find out eventually but I have the patience of a charging Rhinoceros so I'm hoping someone w/ the experience can answer me this; I've read that a valve is cooled somewhat by the brief time it is in contact with the head. If this is correct, it makes me wonder if the head gasket plays some roll in arresting heat transfer from cylinder to head?? Stupid question but it will help me sleep better. TIA, kent

Head gaskets are copper, and copper conducts heat very well. So, no.

If they were copper for sealing sandwiched with asbestos or some other barrier, then yes. But, they do nothing to arrest heat between head and cylinder.

Zach

The cylinders also contact the heads on the sides not just the top of the cylinder. They fit into the head. So the gasket wouldn't stop heat transfer.

Stock ones are layered white metal, not copper.

I am told that if you use the copper ones, you need to periodically (or at least once) re-torque the head nuts. Not so with the stock gaskets or with none.

--DD