@robs ss reply #151
Rob .... you are absolutely right regarding the fact that soft copper will deform better to rectify imperfections in the sealing surface. T Warp also alludes to this fact.
However, I do not apply a gasket to any surface that is imperfect.
I prefer to spend my time making a surface proper, than annealing a gasket to accommodate an improper surface. Would you not agree the first approach is a better guarantee of success?
For those who feel annealing yields an additional modicum of success, I say "Fine! Just be sure to re-torque as many times as necessary until the gasket becomes stable."
Regarding how many re-torques are necessary, and the intervals between, there is no magic "fits all" formula. Keep checking until the gasket becomes stable.
Slick