gasket dressing: yes or no?

[backyardbill]

1980 Fiat Spider 2000, 5 speed, all stock

Had the dreaded blown head gasket. So now, I am ready to reassemble and install the cylinder head. Do you guys goop up the gaskets (camshaft end seals, intake manifold to head, etc.) with stuff like Permatex 85249 Hylomar? Or Permatex?

Thanks

[engineerted]

The correct answer is "no"', but like all things everyone has there own methods that what they think works best. I use aircraft gasket adhesive for transmission cases, cars and motor cycles, but that's me.

[paintdudeluke]

I'm kinda with him, I use permatex on a lot of applications, but not on head gaskets. That's such a high pressure seal that if it blows out sealer is pretty much irrelevant. Just make sure the surfaces are really nice and clean. I usually flat scrape mine with a razer if there's any crap on it.

[wizard124]

Yes or no? May depend on the gasket type, surface condition, etc.

But use sparingly! I recently dropped my oil pan to replace its gasket. Someone had gooped too much sealant, pieces were stuck to the screen Of the oil pump.

Lucky it wasn't clogged

[backyardbill]

I guess I will leave the goop off. If the rear cam tower camshaft gaskets start leaking again, I can remove the cover plate and goop them without too much trouble.

Thanks for the advice.

[Jimb]

I think you may have caused a bit of a grey area between whether to use gasket seal on the head gasket vs elsewhere.

Personally I plan to use a light application of Permatex when I resinstall the cam covers.

Jim

[backyardbill]

No, I would never use any sealant on a modern head gasket. I meant between: intake to head; cam boxes to head, flat gaskets at camshaft end plates; and cam covers. That's where all the old seals were leaking.

Another issue will be whether or not to re-torque the head bolts after 500 miles. Seems there is controversy over that. On a Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo diesel, the head bolts are designed to stretch. I learned the hard way on that rebuilt.

[bradartigue]

My .02 is if you need dressing then the mating surfaces have not been properly cleaned or are not to spec. I hate the stuff but have found times where it is necessary, particularly the oil pan. The trick is you need a bead about 1/2mm and towards the outside of the bolts, so when it squishes it doesn't all go in the pan. Hard to do, and you can't see the results. So I usually just don't bother, if it leaks, it leaks a little.

[81SPIDERMATT]

anaerobic sealant with the proper prep spray is my new favorite .... if you squish some in the wrong spot it dissolves .... hylomar and permatex perma shield are great too as a dressing.... agree with brad that it has its uses ... not a blanket tool for all things for sure