Sealer on head gaskets???
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Elder User
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From: Grain Valley Mo.
Sealer on head gaskets???
I swear I tried search and couldn't find what I needed. I ended up with Victor head gaskets and they don't say if you use sealer. I think Randy talked about useing that spray copper from Permatex but I couldn't find that thread....Can anyone help?
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Joined: Mar 2003
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I am going against the crowd here and recommending that you do NOT use sealer on any head gasket with the exception of a copper one.
All the gaskets made today are made of a graphite sandwich or some other base that does not require or is it desirable to use it.
The science of sealing has come along way and there is no reason to go back in time.
Tmod
All the gaskets made today are made of a graphite sandwich or some other base that does not require or is it desirable to use it.
The science of sealing has come along way and there is no reason to go back in time.
Tmod
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
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From: Texas
Oops. I put a light coat of the Copper Gasket spray on mine at the last install. We'll see how that works out. I thought it would help them stay in place when installing them, plus it might help with heat transfer between the block and heads.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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gtex,
It is not as big of a deal on cast iron to cast iron but if you are running aluminum heads they need a dry gasket due to the different expansion and contraction rates.
That is one reason why they created coated gaskets.
Also some sealers have actually deteriorated the gasket itself and failure has occurred.
Tmod
It is not as big of a deal on cast iron to cast iron but if you are running aluminum heads they need a dry gasket due to the different expansion and contraction rates.
That is one reason why they created coated gaskets.
Also some sealers have actually deteriorated the gasket itself and failure has occurred.
Tmod
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Elder User
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From: Grain Valley Mo.
After reading the first two posts I went out and installed the heads with the copper spray. BTW, iron heads and block, I sure hope it works OK.
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xfordman,
This is a quote directly from Victor Reinz.
This is a quote directly from Victor Reinz.
Victor Reinz makes it easy for installers of replacement gaskets to know whether or not a sealant is necessary for
their application. Simply put, if a sealant is required for a Victor Reinz gasket it will be included in the gasket packaging.
In fact, more damage is done to gaskets by applying unnecessary sealants than is done by not applying sealants
in the few cases where they are needed.
their application. Simply put, if a sealant is required for a Victor Reinz gasket it will be included in the gasket packaging.
In fact, more damage is done to gaskets by applying unnecessary sealants than is done by not applying sealants
in the few cases where they are needed.
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by Tmod700
gtex,
It is not as big of a deal on cast iron to cast iron but if you are running aluminum heads they need a dry gasket due to the different expansion and contraction rates.
That is one reason why they created coated gaskets.
Also some sealers have actually deteriorated the gasket itself and failure has occurred.
Tmod
It is not as big of a deal on cast iron to cast iron but if you are running aluminum heads they need a dry gasket due to the different expansion and contraction rates.
That is one reason why they created coated gaskets.
Also some sealers have actually deteriorated the gasket itself and failure has occurred.
Tmod
Oh well, standard Greg procedure....half-bass
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Grain Valley Mo.
Tmod.........what tics me off is, there was a instruction sheet with the gaskets telling how to install them. Not a word either way about sealer. Now I have to decide weather to change them now while its on the stand. If I do they won't be Victor............ 
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Sorry if I was wrong. I've always used the copper spray-a-gasket and I've never had any trouble. I have steel shim head gaskets on the way for my 390. After this thread I don't know if I should use the copper spray-a-gasket or not.
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From: Grain Valley Mo.
'Falcon........I didn't mean to say you and Randy were wrong. I asked what everybody thought and thats what I got, thank you. Sinse nobody said they used the spray and had a failure I'm going to leave em on. If they fail I'll change them... The intake gaskets that came in the Victor set are to big but I have a set of Fel-Pro's that are OK. I'm shaking my head wondering if that little blue ring will really seal them.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colville, Washington
FalconStng-you DO use a sealer on steel shim and copper head gaskets, they do not have the conformability of the composition head gaskets.
Any of the good composition head gaskets are installed WITHOUT sealer and most do NOT require a re-torque anymore.
Any of the good composition head gaskets are installed WITHOUT sealer and most do NOT require a re-torque anymore.
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