Gasket gooop for a newbie

MarlinSlayer · Jun 24, 2015

anyone use any kind of gasket goop on valve cover gasket. I have a new one and it is cork...didn't think it was necessary but thought I'd ask...

Also, pulled water pump and have new gaskets all around. do you use any goop on those? If so, what kind?

Marlin

Fawken · Jun 24, 2015

With a cork gasket I always use a thin coating on the valve cover only. That way the gasket is reusable the next time. Water pump I use a thin coating on both sides of a paper gasket.

jaotguy · Jun 24, 2015

make sure its the non hardening type ...

amaxwell · Jun 24, 2015

Fawken said:
With a cork gasket I always use a thin coating on the valve cover only. That way the gasket is reusable the next time. Water pump I use a thin coating on both sides of a paper gasket.

With the cork gasket tighten carefully ,if you over tighten they will break.

almaryholm · Jun 25, 2015

When I worked in my cousins' Harley shop it the 60's and early 70's we used to spray a coating of aluminum paint on both sides of new cork gaskets ....

Soundguy · Jun 25, 2015

for those cork vc gaskets, yep, some thin film will be ok and as said, don't overtighten.

For other gaskets, the permatex non hardening is fine. Just did a farmall C engine a while back using that and new fel pro gaskets. no issues so far.

MarlinSlayer · Jun 25, 2015

Excellent! Thank you. Do you smear it all over for a thin coat on the water pump gasket or do you use a bead and let it squeeze out?

JerryK · Jun 25, 2015

I have always used a thin coat of Permatex... but, I am almost older than dirt, so there may be newer stuff [ but not necessary better stuff out now ] .... [[

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Fawken · Jun 25, 2015

MarlinSlayer said:
Excellent! Thank you. Do you smear it all over for a thin coat on the water pump gasket or do you use a bead and let it squeeze out?

Permatex or Copper Cote both work well on a paper or felt water pump gasket. If that's what you have (paper or felt) then yes smear or brush a thin coat on both sides. For the cork gasket spread a thin bead of Permatex on the valve cover only, align the gasket on the valve cover perfectly and let it dry before re-installing the valve cover. Cork valve cover gaskets will not leak even without gasket sealer, but gluing it to the valve cover aids in installation and keeps it in place.