engine gaskets

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:40 pm

about to put new front and back plate gaskets on

do i fit them dry or with gasket sealer

all thoughts welcome

many thanks

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:44 pm

I wouldn't fit them completely dry. I used sealant but a smear of grease on both sides would probably be fine too.

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:54 pm

thank you

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:11 am

NO sealant!!!! BMC didn't use any - why would you ? A liitle wipe of grease to hold them in place if you like - but really, you DO NOT need sealant!

Post by **aupickup** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:20 pm

many thanks to all

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:40 pm

bmcecosse wrote:NO sealant!!!! BMC didn't use any - why would you ?

WHY not!!!!!!!!! ;)

It doesn't do any harm and reduces the chance of oil leakage at minimal cost.

Post by **aupickup** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:40 pm

ah thas why the moggie engine leaked NO SEALANT

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:12 pm

Sealant looks pathetic - professional rebuilder would never use sealant ! Clean flat surfaces and new gaskets = no leaks.

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:27 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Clean flat surfaces and new gaskets = no leaks.

Sure, that will be why 1960s British engines have such a brilliant reputation for not leaking...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:30 pm

They didn't leak at the gaskets! Seriously - sealant is a sign of sloppy workmanship - don't use it!

Post by **IslipMinor** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:06 pm

I agree with the general statement of no sealant, but there are 4 places where I do use sealant on an A-Series engine:

Water pump between the pump and the gasket

Rocker cover between the cover and the gasket

Timing cover between the cover and the gasket

Sump between the sump itself and the gasket

Why? Because the surfaces are not machined and need a little bit of help to seal reliably. On the other side of those gaskets I use a liberal smear of grease, and on all the other gaskets I use grease on both sides (none are fitted dry, except obviously a non-copper head gasket and the manifold gasket).

Using grease gives two things, helps to bed the gasket properly and very easy dis-assembly if required - no more levering and scraping old gaskets off (and into the engine!!)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:28 pm

I only use a little grease - although I do 'glue' the rocker cover gasket to the cover - so it can be used over and over again.

Post by **les** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:03 pm

Seriously - sealant is a sign of sloppy workmanship - don't use it!

Arh to be so confident in ones self. I spend a lot of time wondering!!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:07 pm

Indeed. Takes years of practice and experience!

Post by **les** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:13 pm

Yes wondering about things doesn't come naturally to some!