Heater valve/tap gasket- Install dry?

[fishyboy]

Hi all
I am about to install a replacement heater valve (the one on the side of the cylinder head) on my BT7 and would like some advice. Can anyone tell me if the gasket is installed dry or should I use some gasket sealant?
Thanks
Phil

 

[steveg]

Either or.

Edit: I used Hylomar universal blue on both sides. Belt-and-suspenders and all that rot.

 

[roscoe]

Yes, I agree. Either it will seep if you put it in dry ( or not). If it seeps dry, then remove and add sealant. It will either leak or not. If it leaks, add more sealant or different sealant and tighten it a bit more. It won't dare leak after all that.

 

[steveg]

Yes, I agree. Either it will seep if you put it in dry ( or not). If it seeps dry, then remove and add sealant. It will either leak or not. If it leaks, add more sealant or different sealant and tighten it a bit more. It won't dare leak after all that.

It may leak. Mine did - but not through the gasket. Moss explains this type of valve, with modern mfg techniques and without hand lapping, has a tendency to leak.

I tap it with the lead hammer to seat it - no leaks. Made tool below to free it up for easy hand-turning without stressing the brass handle. From a piece of EMT and a cut-off bolt:

 

[John Turney]

Pretty fancy tool there, Steve. I just tap the spring end with a small hammer.

 

[steveg]

Pretty fancy tool there, Steve. I just tap the spring end with a small hammer.

Mine requires more persuasion than that. I have to tighten the c-clamp a fair amount before the valve center makes a "snap" and comes loose.

 

[John Turney]

Mine requires more persuasion than that. I have to tighten the c-clamp a fair amount before the valve center makes a "snap" and comes loose.

I put a little bit of grease in the valve upon assembly.

 

[steveg]

I put a little bit of grease in the valve upon assembly.

John - Do you use plumber's faucet & valve grease? Looks like that would be needed to not eventually wash away:

 

[vette]

Yeh I solved that problem too. In this pic you can't see the valve but you can see the reason I never have to turn that valve again. An I live in Pa. My wife has taken many fall and early spring rides with the Army blanket pulled up around her. Kind of more nostalgic.

 

[John Turney]

John - Do you use plumber's faucet & valve grease? Looks like that would be needed to not eventually wash away:

It’s been so long that I don’t recall, but that looks like it would be good.

 

[steveg]

Lubed it with the faucet grease. Easier, but still needs a cheater to rotate. I'll try rotating it to the open position before Deadwood and see if the grease held. My homemade gasket got a little torn up removing the valve, but no leaks with Hylomar.