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Question, I forgot

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jlaird

jlaird

Great Pumpkin
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What is the goop to put on the head gasket???

Hehe, also forgot to get new lifters, sigh.
 
You really wanna goop it up? I'd just put a thin film of motor oil or grease on it and crank it down. Both surfaces have been machined, right?

Permatex High Tack or Copper Shield in aerosol cans are the ones I've used on head gaskets.
 
I am partial to the clean look...Clean mating surfaces with acetone and install gasket dry. Torque in 3 stages..And retourque at 2 and 5 hrs running time. Just my 2 c..
 
Now that it has been said, guess I had always used a bit of oil.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Now that it has been said, guess I had always used a bit of oil.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oil and grease on the head gasket???

I'm no expert, but I thought that was a *big* no no. I've always heard that the grease/oil/whatever can heat and cause a gasket failure. When I installed mine, I was extra careful to remove all grease/oil/assembly lube/etc. from the mating surfaces.
 
I would never put oil or grease on a head gasket. I would use nothing if everything was in good shape. If you suspect a tiny flaw in something then I would use the spray permatex copper. I have had good luck with that.
 
I used copper spray for years, but it doesn't seem to be as good as it used to be, so now I use spray High Tack. I agree too, I've never put oil on a head gasket.
 
*shrugs* I never had a premature failure. This isn't "soak" the gasket, rather a thin film... and on Payen, etc. clad ones. If the thing has a "heat set" coating or is composed of a material which is absorbent it would be a mistake, agreed. Depends on the gasket, they all have crib sheets now anyway. "Follow the manufacturer's directions."
 
Here is what the manual says.

"Neaver smear grease on either side of the head gasket as when the engine heats up the grease will melt and may allow a compressooion leak to develop. Never use casket cement. If a new gasket is used and the head and block faces are true there should be no requirement for it."

Final word I guess.
 
Both surfaces have been machined, so that's the answer.
 
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