Section : General

Recommended Gasket Sealant?

Posted By : Michael Russell, 16-Sep-2003, 01:26pm

• Recommended Gasket Sealant?

  Posted By : John Davies, 16-Sep-2003, 07:23pm

  MIke,
  a generally used solution is to use a sealant (eg Blue Hylomar, but anything that sets rubbery would do - silicone anyone?) between the gasket and the rocker cover, and nothing bewteen the gasket and the head. Makes checking the rockers regularly much less of a hassle and seems to make a good seal.
  
  But even more important is to true up the cover. Place it on a flat surface - I mean just a table top - and see if it sits flat and won't rock on two corners. Twist it in your hands to true it. Use a bright light behind it, to see if the long edges are flat on the table. Finally, check that there are no dings in the edge, aand hammer gently on a suitable support to correct any. Make sure that ALL old gasket has been cleaned out. Don't bolt it down too tight - I can't remember the official torque, but you can't measure it on a conventional torque wrench and a little bit more than finger tight is correct.
  
  JOhn

  • Recommended Gasket Sealant?

    Posted By : Savvas Regas, 16-Sep-2003, 10:21pm

    Hi
    
    In addition to John's comments, I have a few further recommendations...
    
    I use Loctite 598 Flange Sealant for rocker covers and even cam carriers on some cars which don't have a gasket there. The VAG group (VW, Skoda, Audi, Seat etc) make a really good sealant for this purpose which I have used successfully on a Lotus engine, but I can't remember where to get it!
    
    I have seen red Hermatite used successfully before, but I really like Loctite and this VAG stuff. Hermatite also make exhaust sealing putty etc.
    
    Whatever you use, make sure the surface you apply it to is free of old gasket and sealant and grease-free. Make sure it is spotless. When I am doing any of these jobs, I make sure whatever needs oil on it has clean oil on it and whatever doesn't it clean enough to eat from! If the component doesn't sit flat on the surface, no amount of sealant is going to work properly!
    
    Norbar manufacture a great range of 'slimline' torque wrenches with a range of torques. I recently purchased two of these (one for low, one fore medium-hig torque) and I am very satisfied with their operation and ease of use. They are pricier than many competitors, but if you want to do a good job and you do it often, it's worth the money. They are about £50-60 each or so bought new.
    
    If you don't want a low torque wrench, just use a very small (e.g. 3/8" drive 'stubby') ratchet on small nuts and bolts, so you can't physically apply more torque than your hand can pull! (since torque = force x distance)
    
    (I am in no way connected to the above companies...)
    
    Cheers,
    sav

    • Recommended Gasket Sealant?

      Posted By : Michael Russell, 17-Sep-2003, 09:16am

      Many thanks to both John and Sav for such good advice which I will most certainly follow.
      
      Mike