gasket sealer: yes or no?

[Guest]

should i use gasket sealer to seal a new valve cover gasket and breather gasket? if so what kind?

[GQROD]

if it is a paper gasket some just spray wd40 on it so a sealer is not needed except on the half moon plugs whihc usually drip a little. (unless it states to use some in the manual )

You usually don't need it on the breather gasket i just sprayed some wd40 on mine and it sealed fine.

The black permatex brand is good.

I'd recomend the silicone valve cover gaskets over the paper ones, much better if you have to take the cover off more than once or when you have to adjust your valves.

[SqDancerLynn1]

NONE of the gaskets need any sealer of any kind !!!!! A light spray of WD40 or oil is all that is necessary The rubber 1/2 moon plugs should get a VERY small dab of sealer

[Big T]

No sealer - I grease mine rather than WD 40 as above -smear a dab of lithium grease along the surface of the gasket on both sides

[lurch12_2000]

No sealer - I grease mine rather than WD 40 as above -smear a dab of lithium grease along the surface of the gasket on both sides

Second the no sealer...I've changed them on the 1100G and the 1100ES with slightly differet bolt patterns and also used a light coat of grease which helps keep the gasket in place while lining up the cover and 20 bolts.
That gasket is thin in spots so take your time and place it in carefully and be sure you line up the bolts while keeping the cover slightly away from the head so it lays in there perfect.

[lordcannon88]

well thats a definitive. lol...where exactly should i put the sealer on the 1/2 moons? the round part or flat part?

[sharpy]

well thats a definitive. lol...where exactly should i put the sealer on the 1/2 moons? the round part or flat part?

Both if u want a good seal. Sometimes i smear some sealeant along the flat surface near the 1/2 moons. Depending how high they sit in the head.

[Steve]

well thats a definitive. lol...where exactly should i put the sealer on the 1/2 moons? the round part or flat part?

I will add to the "definitive" part, then answer your question.

You can put sealer anywhere you want on the half-moons, but if you only do the round part, they will stay in place when you lift the valve cover to check your valve clearances. If you also put sealer on the top of the half-moon, you are almost guaranteed that you will rip a gasket when removing the cover.

In the "for what it's worth" department ... when I remove the valve cover, I try to leave the gasket with the head, anyway. It reduces the chance of getting it caught and tearing it when sliding the cover out of the way and it also makes the cover just that much thinner. Sometimes you need that little bit of room to get the cover out.

.

[tas850g]

When i adjusted my valves i ordered a valve gasket and breather gasket from "real gaskets" in TN. They are silicone, i think, and are reusable a few times. I got the recommendations from a few members here and so far they work great. Do a search here and i'm sure you'll get multiple hits for there website.

[lordcannon88]

I already ordered my gaskets when i heard about real gaskets, so thats kind of a bummer. there the same prices as OEM too. O well when the cork one dies ill use a real gasket. I sealed completely around the half moons just to be safe. I am letting engine degreaser soak in overnight then ill wash the goop off and start her up and check for leaks. thanks for everyones help.