Morris Minor Owners Club

Just starting to put the engine back together, with obviously complete new gasket set. Is there a recommended view on which gaskets to use gasket cement on and which I definitely shouldn't use it on?

I only use it to stick the gasket to the rocker cover and the ones on the cam follower covers, a smear of grease or oil on the other face means they can be reused indefinitely.

Never put it on both sides of a gasket.

Don't use ANY gasket cement!!!!! BMC didn't - why would you? Spotlessly clean surfaces and it will be fine. The rocker cover gasket can be stuck to the gasket with a thin film of clear adhesive...less obvious than gasket goo! Head gasket of course is fitted with a thin film of grease on both sides.

I use Wellseal - used by Bentley etc - and grease for head gasket. Make sure all threaded holes are de-burred with no pulled threads protruding from the surface.

With regard the sump gasket - is there any chance of leakage if some sort of sealant/cement isn't used. I would rather stick to the original BMC way of doing things, but fail to see how it wont leak without something!!

Not if it's done properly! The important part is the installation of the cork end seals..... Oh - and don't strip the threads of the tiny screws by over tightening...

Well I can't see the harm in using sealant, just a thin film, rather than throwing it on. After all, theory and practice are often at odds. I'd rather be slightly more sure of a seal than having to risk doing the work again, as not all surfaces are as they were when new, take the timing chain case for example! Most seem to suffer just enough distortion to cause a leak if not given a little help. However it's a personal choice, of which has generally paid off for me

If you are going to use some sealant, then consider a non-hardening type. Makes future dismantling easier.

Serious engine builders (AC Dodd and the like DO NOT use gasket goo...) there really is NO NEED! Take some pride and do the job properly...

Sometimes it is necessary when re-using old, or maybe previously damaged parts. Sometimes we have to swallow our pride and follow the budget.

Makes you wonder why they make the stuff!!

Because the world is full of bodgers....and if they can sell the horrible stuff - why not!! Remember - they are out to make a profit by selling ...... it's not their concern whether they need the stuff - as long as they buy it!!

Never a dull moment in here

well the ONLY way I have been able to stop oil from leaking out of the axle past the half shaft flange into the rear drum on One side of my 55,is to put cement both sides of the paper seal.they didn't fit the O rings as later models have. The interfaces show no sign of damage or distortion,but there is obviously is.So thanks to the bodgers who produce it,they have saved me finding and fitting a new half shaft and hub. So it does have its uses, sometimes.

The seals were introduced for good reason .. but there must be a dimension problem there because the paper gasket should fill the gap nicely, at the same time securing the bearing firmly.

tried everything Roy,thicker gaskets,had a straight edge on the faces ,more times than I can remember,the cement was a last resort,but it worked so thats all that matters.It was so bad that If I had both wheels off and lifted the drivers side I needed to put the nearside wheel back on to stop oil getting into the drum,obviously pinched the flanges together.The alternative was new hub and drive shaft.
Been informed that it was a common problem on the ser11,in that if you look at the back plate there is an open slot at the bottom to alow oil to run out of the drom and miss the shoes(Don't know if this is true but info came from Tom Roys) and its why the later cars had the groove and O ring modification.