head gasket question

[Chevy305]

Ok so I have my new heads and gaskets and I am not sure if I have to apply any kind of gasket sealant to them or install them dry. I have stainless pre-flattened ring type laminated in rubber or whatever:

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/210044/10002/-1

My Haynes manual says to use copper gasket lube on this type of gasket but I am unsure because Jegs doesn't specify anything.

This is the Felpro equivilant and it doesn't specifiy anything either:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Fel+Pro/375/1094/10002/-1

 

[4X4HIGH]

I would not recommend putting anything on them. I also would not recommend that head gasket. The block and head surface MUST be VERY FLAT and VERY smooth for that style of gasket. That gasket is almost like an MLS gasket.

 

[ryoken]

Scott, in what circumstances would you use a sealer, etc on a head gasket?

in all my years turning wrenches, and I've done hundreds of head installs, I never use a sealer or anything on a head job.. granted these are all pretty stock fel-pro setups, meaning no 1000 hp beasts, but I ALWAYS run my head gaskets dry... something an oldtime machinist told me 25 yrs or so ago...

 

[Chevy305]

These are the gaskets that Patriot Performance recomends for their heads and I already have them and I really want to finish putting this engine together. But I will install them dry, thanks for the advice though.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Scott, in what circumstances would you use a sealer, etc on a head gasket?

in all my years turning wrenches, and I've done hundreds of head installs, I never use a sealer or anything on a head job.. granted these are all pretty stock fel-pro setups, meaning no 1000 hp beasts, but I ALWAYS run my head gaskets dry... something an oldtime machinist told me 25 yrs or so ago...

On a head gasket that is copper (or any other solid non composite material) I use high heat aluminum paint. There is something to do with the pigment of the aluminum that acts as a sealer and works REALLY WELL. I used to build ALOT of flathead engines and most of them run a solid copper gasket and the high heat aluminum paint trick worked the best.

 

[ryoken]

On a head gasket that is copper (or any other solid non composite material) I use high heat aluminum paint. There is something to do with the pigment of the aluminum that acts as a sealer and works REALLY WELL. I used to build ALOT of flathead engines and most of them run a solid copper gasket and the high heat aluminum paint trick worked the best.

hmmm, ok, yeah, i actually remember hearing that before... obviously i've never played with them...


but i have seen "mechanics"" () put all kinds of different stuff on head gaskets, hitack, etc...


I always thought it was hack based on my personal experiences..

 

[76zimmer]

seems like I read once upon a time that a bare metal gasket needs a sealer (as mentioned aluminum paint, hi-tac, spray copper sealant, etc) and any coated gasket (multi layered, composition, etc) stays dry.

 

[ryoken]

nah, I'm not talking metal, i'm talking standard composite felpro stuff..... scary.....

 

[4X4HIGH]

seems like I read once upon a time that a bare metal gasket needs a sealer (as mentioned aluminum paint, hi-tac, spray copper sealant, etc) and any coated gasket (multi layered, composition, etc) stays dry.

That is correct. If you put sealer on an MLS gasket or any composite gasket type gasket that can cause it to NOT SEAL.