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?

 

I know the Fel-Pro's you're not supposed to use sealer. I say if they dont say wether or not to use sealer, then use sealer. Permatex Copper Spray-A-Gasket is the stuff to use.

 

I agree to use the Copper Spray-a-Gasket. I've used it for years on many motors and have always been happy.

 

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

 

The above posting is correct never install a head gasket with sealer unless it is copper they are made to be installed dry.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

xfordman,

This is a quote directly from Victor Reinz.

 

I am running aluminum heads and intake....

Oh well, standard Greg procedure....half-bass

 

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............
_____________________
XFM

 

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.

 

'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.

 

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.