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What is the general position on using Permatex on new gaskets? Do you feel it is good insurance even if the machined surfaces are flat and clean or do you use it only on questionable surfaces? Do you use it more often on joints that are exposed to hot oil or even on those (ie cooling system) that are not? Any particular guidelines that you use?
Given the state of technology these days, in most cases, I do not even use gaskets any longer much less Permatex gasket sealer. That said, I DO use Permatex gasket maker, as schoo has pictured above, in the place of most paper/fiber gaskets. One of the selling points for Sanderson headers is that they do not require an exhaust gasket...we all know what a PITA it is to replace blown header gaskets. I called their product support person and asked just how to seal the header flange when installing the headers. They recommended using the Permatex Ultra Black to lay a bead around each port on the header flange. Next step, bolt the header in place on the engine but only finger tighten the bolts. After the Ultra Black has set up, I believe it was around an hour, torque the bolts down to spec. If RTV will hold out the pressure/heat of exhaust gases then I feel confident in it's ability to seal most other machined surfaces, good luck.
Also in many places it’s best use studs too locate the surface’s on the Rt studs that fel-pro gives for an oil pan gasket and Lt are my studs made for intake manifold
If you are using FelPro "blue" head gaskets, they need nothing. Best Gaskets (brand) GraphTite head gaskets do need it, one reason I don't use them, that CopprKote is hell to get off, even makes the heads hard to remove. (see below) The key with any of them (regardless of what the mfr's say) is to re-torque them after a complete warm-up/cool-down, and keep doing it until they stay at 55 ft-lbs.
On the rest of the engine, there are really few gaskets compared to an OHV. Some people coat the intake manifold gasket with oil or grease to make it easy to remove the manifold to adjust the valves. If you have adjustable lifters, that's worth doing. Just enough to keep it from sticking.
The fuel pump stand is a good candidate for RTV. Don't use anything on the rope seals on the crank, but the oil pan is also a good place for RTV (just a little).
Well, darn it... I just checked FelPro's site and it looks like they are not offering the blue PermaTorque head gaskets for flat V8's any more. About 10 years ago I bought a set of FelPro's at NAPA and they actually came with HG's made by Victor Reinz, black colored ones. Since then I have bought FelPro sets from O'Reilly's and they were the blue ones. I assume if demand is low, they can't justify production themselves.
One of the flathead rebuild books recommends Gasgacinch for the oil pan gasket. Never heard of it so I tried a can. Works like a charm! It's clear so there are no visible sealer lines. It goes together like contact cement. Available from Edelbrock.
Skip rebuilt my water pumps. He recommends no silicone on the gaskets, just grease - really! I instead used Gasgacinch.
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