Thread: Head gasket - dry or wet install

Bet you get some interesting answers...

Back in the day we used to use CopperCoat. I'm kinda doing a Series III atm. If I was using the copper gasket that I have I would use Hylomar aerosol, which doesn't harden, but I'm going to use the gasket for a diesel and will install it dry.

Dunno about oil.

Hylomar

For Copper gaskets we used to fit dry or spray gasket with Silver paint back when I worked for BMC Leyland /JRA dealership. Cork gaskets we soaked in hot water , fibber washers soaked in kero & copper washers put them in boiling water.

Originally Posted by 1950landy

For Copper gaskets we used to fit dry or spray gasket with Silver paint back when I worked for BMC Leyland /JRA dealership. Cork gaskets we soaked in hot water , fibber washers soaked in kero & copper washers put them in boiling water.

Did all of that too, in an Army shop. They tended away from the silver paint, but they didn't have a customer to deal with, and RAEME was aways right lol. I have heard it works in the way 1950landy says, but I've not tried it. If the car isn't a daily driver, and you like playing, try it all and tell us the results. My $$ is on the Hylomar. Love to know if I'm wrong. Or right, of course.

I haven't usually used sealants on head gaskets in the past.
Solid copper gaskets (old motorcycles) anneal before fitting dry.
Composite fit dry although on my 6 cylinder LR I did use some Permatex around the water passages.

Interesting comments in the link below but aimed at modern head gaskets.
WARNING ON THE USE OF HYLOMAR! | Southside Cylinder Heads, Engine Reconditioning Australia


Colin

Originally Posted by jedwards

A happy Australia Day to all.
I am planning to install a new head gasket soon and was wondering what the views of this excellent group are on installing the Head gasket dry or wet.



Finally, does a copper gasket has a distinct Top and Bottom surface?

Many thanks
Jeff

Jeff, might sound obvious, but examine your new head gasket carefully for the word TOP stamped into it. Failing that, lay the dry gasket over the block and check that every oil passage and water passage is patent. Bolt holes need to line up too of course. Repeat after turning the gasket over end-for-end. If there's no difference I wouldn't think it matters which surface is up. Much more important of course is the correct order of tightening down. In my experience it's good practice to repeat the torque-down process several times during the running-in period, and NEVER resort to vigorous acceleration before the engine is fully warmed up.
Cheers, Rob S

I spoke to Ian Cox of Cox & Turner in the UK about this questions and he responded:

"Definitely use a sealant. We use “Wellseal” – this is a very good non hardening gasket sealer that can be used on all soft gaskets as well as on copper head gaskets. Use a thin smear on the block, fit the gasket and apply another thin smear to the top face of the gasket before fitting the head. Cleanup is with methylated spirit.

I hope this helps everyone.

regards
Jeff

Originally Posted by jedwards

I spoke to Ian Cox of Cox & Turner in the UK about this questions and he responded:

"Definitely use a sealant. We use “Wellseal” – this is a very good non hardening gasket sealer that can be used on all soft gaskets as well as on copper head gaskets. Use a thin smear on the block, fit the gasket and apply another thin smear to the top face of the gasket before fitting the head. Cleanup is with methylated spirit.

I hope this helps everyone.

regards
Jeff

Wonder who stocks this in Australia?

I’m looking at using Permatex #2 seems similar ‘gasket dressing’ product.

Big mistake seems to be using RTV ‘gasket maker’ in conjunction with any gasket. It’s for no gasket joins.

I’m about to put an 80s BMW engine back together and everything I’ve read is to do nothing on the HG other than immaculate preparation. The HG has various crush items that provide the seal.

That might well be the case with semi-modern BMW, but we are dealing with a 50's British vehicle, which is a very different beast with very different tolerances.
regards
Jeff