Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Gasket sealers

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
JD jim A.

01-20-2005 18:19:47




Report to Moderator

Looking for some real answers about gasket sealers. What the best thing a guy can get to put on gaskets that seal against oil or antifreeze? I know that those of you that have been turning wrenches forever will tell me that no sealer should ever be needed, as long as the surfaces are perfectly clean and flat, and the bolts are torqued evenly, but I have been in several situations where the gasket leaked anyway (especially around gaskets that seal coolant, like thermostat housings). I just don't see why you should be afraid of using somthing on the gasket, rather than risk having to tear half the machine back apart to fix a leak. By the way, I am very picky about getting gasket surfaces perfectly clean. I start with a die grinder that uses those 3M polishing pads, I then wipe the parts clean with brake cleaner, wipe them dry, and use my torque wrench whenever possible. Don't think I'm doing anything wrong.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Bryan in Iowa

01-21-2005 06:43:58




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
Those 3m pads are great , but be careful ! they tend to round off flat surfaces and remove soft metals. Also I never use them on internal engine work, they leave lots of abrasives . Usually 3m yellow snot ued to glue gaskets to one surface. silicone Rtv sealer get used alot here too .



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Nolan

01-21-2005 04:45:07




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
For the absolute, never get it apart again, super seal, IndianHead Gasket Shalac. It dries hard, so don't try it where flexing is necessary.

My general purpose sealant that I like is Permatex ultra-copper. I tend to use it because I don't have to worry about heat or sensors.

For gasoline sealing, a yellow snot sealant works best. Yamabond, trim adhesive, etc. They don't stick well to the metal, so applying them is a chore.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
BillKY

01-21-2005 04:20:59




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
It's not for every application, but a favorite of mine is Yamabond. It comes from Yamaha (The motorcycle people) It's available at any Yamaha dealers parts counter. It comes in a "toothpaste tube". It is primarily used for sealing case gaskets on 2 cycle motors, but works equally well on a number of other applications. It is gas/fuel resistant, semi-pliable after drying, and VERY easy to use. It's not a thick "filler" type of sealant, but more of an adhesive glue sort of product. I keep a few tubes on hand all the time. It's the greatest thing in the world for valve cover gaskets, water pump gaskets, or things of that nature. Cheap too!!!!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
another doug

01-21-2005 03:47:27




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
I agree with Uncle Tom, 3M weatherstrip sealer, I asked my boss for "some of that good sealer that the JD dealer used on the 4020 oil pan", and after awhile they caved in and told us the truth .....LOL I thought it was going to be some high priced stuff!!!I have used all that other crap out there for 30 years, give it a try , I buy mine at the body shop supply house...



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Hayman

01-20-2005 20:36:56




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
Lately I like that silcone sealer from GM. It comes in different sized tubes. I bought the 1/2 size caulking gun sized tube. What makes it better I feel is its very thick and sticky. All you need is a light film of the stuff. It seems to work better then the standard automotive type silicone you buy at the parts stores, its the only kind I buy now.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jerry/MT

01-20-2005 19:51:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
For low and moderate temperatures (less than 250F, i.e. oil pans , valve cover gaskets, thermostat housings, etc) I use # 2 Permatex. You can also use blue RTV. Most of my equipment is old so it doesn't call for the newer sealers that are used on cars.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Weirsdale George

01-20-2005 21:03:47




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to Jerry/MT, 01-20-2005 19:51:14  
I, too, like Permatex #2. For small gaskets, I use Permatex #3. For a hardening gasket compound, which I very seldom use, #1 fits the bill. (I think an alternate source for these products is VersaChem.)

I do not like silicone because I have seen engines ruined with the stuff. Also you need to have an extremely oil free surface for the stuff to work -- the #1, #2 ande #3 compounds seem to be more forgiving in this respect.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jhill

01-20-2005 19:50:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
I use Hi-Tack on all gaskets and don't get any leaks. I have used ultra blue and Ultra Copper where appropriate.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
NC Wayne

01-20-2005 19:40:02




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
Depending on the gasket material as to what I use. If it's a "solid" material like some of the Garlock gaskets, I usually use something like Copper Coat or Hi-Tack. For the fiberous gaskets I like using Ultra Blue, Ultra Copper, etc. I've always had had good results with them. The good thing is they seal as good or better than straight silicone but they don't tend to ooze out of the joint and harden into pieces that will fall off and contaminate the machine internally. Working on equipment it never ceases to amaze me how much silicone some people will put onto a small piece and never even think about where all of it's gonna go as soon as they tighten the bolts. For cork gaskets, depending on where they are, any of the aformentioned products work good. Now in extreem cases it doesn't matter what type of material you have you can use weather stripping cement. It's a pain in the a-- to clean off old gaskets when you use it but nothing will hold a cork valve cover gasket that keeps "oozing out of place" where it's supposed to be and sealed. Now for places that don't take an actual gasket CAT has a new sealer out there. I don't know who makes it for them but tt smells alot like Locktite. it comes in tube form with about the consistency of other sealers like Ultra blue. I used it recently on a Perkins engine rebuild and it's almost like the parts are glued together when the stuff is set up..but that's the way it origionally was so that's what I went back with. The drawback is it makes the engines a pain in the a-- to tear down because the parts are usually aluminum and it's hard to get them apart without damaging them due to the adhesion of the gasket material. Not to mention that once the parts are apart it's a royal pain to clean the it off of them.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
RickB

01-20-2005 19:34:02




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
I use very very little silicone sealer. I depend on High-Tack for thick paper gaskets and rely HEAVILY on Anaerobic gasket eliminators such as Loctite 515 in place of and to seal gaskets. I use aviation Permatex on softplugs. When I am diligent about surface prep, I rarely havee sealing problems.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
RJ-AZ

01-20-2005 19:20:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
For water necks, T-stats answater pump areas I like Ultra Red Silicone sealer THINLY smeared on. In some cases where the two mating surfaces are big castings I will use copper coat or Aviation gasket sealer. Some large assemblys now call for an anerobic type sealer which is a Loc-Tite product. For main tractor case assembly I smear the gaskets with plain ol' grease. Knowing what to use where and when and why comes from a lifetime of turning wrenches on all types of machinery.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
lucasss

01-20-2005 19:10:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
ive seen many a gasket surface ruined with those scotchbrite or whatver they are called disc pads,so easy does it.if you take metal off the surface it aint flat no more.same with wire wheels..... on water outlets,and other paper gaskets the indianhead sealer with a brush or the napa aviation gasket sealer with brush is good . i started using type "b" gm sealer in a caulking size tube for car and water cooled tractor engines on the oil pan,valve covers,front and back of intake ect. it truly works better than a gasket,and doesnt leak,ever. silicone has its place,but go easy on it, .ive torn down many an engine with excess silicone in the crankshaft oil gally.go figure.i do rebuild alot of kohler engines and never use any gasket sealer and they dont leak... lucass

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
KJM

01-20-2005 20:02:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to lucasss, 01-20-2005 19:10:31  
lucass, I agree with you about the roloc pads, they have ruined more surfaces than they have helped. But you can buy pads that look like rubber fingers for aluminum,steel etc. They work well and won`t eat the metal.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mike M

01-20-2005 18:39:41




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to JD jim A., 01-20-2005 18:19:47  
I have had pretty good luck with some of the silicone sealer products the ultra type seem best they make a special one for antifreeze. I have not had much luck with the dry method either.The silcones are good if you have to go back in up to many years later as they let you peel the gasket right off and you can reuse it.You can't get in as big a hurry with them though as they need to set up before final tightening or else the gasket can slide out of place.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Brad_fromTN

01-20-2005 21:11:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to Mike M, 01-20-2005 18:39:41  
I didn't see "Hylomar" mentioned yet. I like High tack, Ultra copper and blue also, but Hylomar is an excellent gasket "dressing" for many applications. Hylomar is a Permatex product...Blue in color and non-hardening.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
UncleTom

01-21-2005 03:12:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to Brad_fromTN, 01-20-2005 21:11:30  
And i have used 3m weather striping coupound on rubber gaskets such as the intake rubbers on chevys. It is there to stay.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
napaguy

01-21-2005 18:57:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: Gasket sealers in reply to UncleTom, 01-21-2005 03:12:43  
3m 8001 (yellow) or 8008 (black) is what i use and usually recomend to others. silicone is good where 2 different kinds of gasket materials meet such as the intake gaskets on a small block chevy. best thing for a solid head gasket is a tacky coat of aluminum spray paint.old mechanic i worked for 30 years ago hated gasket sealers. he used gun grease to hold them in place. always said the gasket was supossed to do the sealing.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy