Gasket sealant

My 2N engine is just back from the machine shop and it looks like I have all the parts...so I'm ready to start assembly.

The guy at NAPA said I'd need these two tubes of gasket sealant. They're both from Permatex, one's a UltraGray and the other is #2 Form-a-Gasket. When I asked which sealant to use on which gaskets the guy just threw up his hands like that was the stupidist question he'd ever heard.
So at the risk of sounding stupid, let me try it again on this forum: Which of these gasket sealants would I use for which gaskets??

What parts of your 2N are you assembling?
I personally don't use either of those two, but that doesn't mean they're bad.
I put most gaskets on without sealer unless absolutely required.

i also use most gaskets without sealant.

in places where I need to tack a gasket on.. i use the #2

in some cases I have used hi temp red on a manifold gasket where I had a porous manifold.. like the new ones with questionaly casting techniques and lack of fine machining on the mating surfaces.. etc..

Hmmm
substitute the word engine for toilet and youll have my answer

I am finding it harder to find gaskets. I have been working on my Troy-bilt tiller, and I can"t find most gaskets locally.

They tell me to use the stuff that comes in a tube. Well, eventually you have to try that.

Comments?

Silicon is usually used to fill small gaps , like the ends of the oil pan and timing cover gaskets .
Silicon will make cork gaskets slippery and squish out of place when the bolts are tightened .
Excess silicon can easily be pushed out . The stray silicon can either be sucked down the intake runner or if it is internal , then it winds up in the oil pick up tube screen .
There are probably more N's running without a screen since it is built into the drain plug and not the pick up tube like modern engines .

Not all silicon sealers are equal , the different colors are for different applications , don't know which is which though . Only one I use is the high heat copper on the exhaust .

Since you have it , I would smear a thin coat of #2 on the water pump gasket , I like Indian head shellac on water passage gaskets and heater hose nipples where applicable .

Most gaskets should seal without any sealer if the surfaces are clean and in good shape . Sealers are usually just insurance . Personally I don't want to take a timing cover off of a running motor because because it is seeping a little oil . I would just assume spend fifty cents on sealer and be done with it . Your motor , your call .

Never use sealer on head gaskets , unless it has a metal outer layer or the manufacture specifically calls for it .

Personally I like the Copper Coat spray because it applies an even thin tacky coat .

No magic Tip on this,,, use Tip 53 just skip the wax paper apply the thermo seal and nail it down... If you are worried the thermo seal will slip out drill baby drill... Makes me glade I don't need Tips... I like Bruce very much tho I never meet him but Tip 53 (that I have never read and don't plan to I will take your word for it cuzz I seen the pix) drill baby drill has sucker wrote all over it...

At my day job I already know the answer,,, I just don't have the post count to give you a answer that would be of use here.... I am tagged ( did not ask for it it was gave to me) as a Guru and sham of it after I see Tip 53 in action...

The stray silicon can either be sucked down the intake runner

:idea: Do you think RTV will harm anything in the cylinder before it gits spit out the zaust pipe...

Now that you brought this up how do you think thermo seal would perform once it gets sucked into the cylinder I hear its a beach to sand... Its gonna end up in the suck'n side sooner are later...

Hmmm

I will keep that in mind the next time I run across a Porcelain engine...
I do like it when my Porcelain Toilet sucks tho... When I am walking away and I here it suck I know what ever I left in it is gone It's that feeling I get when it don't suck I don't care much for...

Im putting a 390 back together. We are useing copper spray. 77 adhesive spray in low heat areas copper on heads and headers, I used silicone on timimg cover and will use 77 on valve cover gaskets.Fel-pro gasket said ist ok? Its dealers choice.

I use primarily RTV. I put it on for gasket corners, pitted surfaces and uneven covers if I can't straighten them as needed. Use a credit card thickness for additional sealing and remember the clock starts once it's out of the tube. It cures with the moisture in the air, so be ready to torque. You didn't have a stupid question. If you have more question don't be afraid to ask. Gerard

Hope you installed the cam plug in the correct position... 390's are installed bassackwords... 390's use 2 different cam trimming gears... I just built one and used a Victor gasket set it has the rubber seals for the rear main the first time I used that type... The first check for leaks before the pan was installed one leaked so had to remove it and apply RTV to it.... 390 Cork intake gaskets are the worst leakers they were born to leak,,, every thing about a 390 was born to leak :evil: the ends of the intake get The Right Stuff from Permatex I trash the cork.... BTW I have seen my share of head gaskets installed backwards on FE blocks... were the long bolt in the rocker shaft goes into the head make sure the bolt hole is blind are not cracked...
I also throw GM #14085816 Reinfkit at the ford tin valve covers... I am on a mission to find 10 sets of the GM kits I use them on every thing I can. Unlike the aftermarket retainers they work... I also am look'n for a used flywheel that will accept a 12" clutch :wink: :wink:

A smoke machine will find the gaskets you should have applied RTV to...

Are you talking roller vs. silent lint on the 390"s. Otherwise I didn"t know they used two different ones.

(quoted from post at 16:03:44 03/25/13) Are you talking roller vs. silent lint on the 390"s. Otherwise I didn"t know they used two different ones.

Click to expand...

Bottom of 3rd page

http://www.compcams.com/Technical/Instructions/Files/179.pdf

Didn't know that. Thanks.