Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 25, 2016 | 10:14 PM
  #1  
mikeyt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, Virginia
Car: 92 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

The Helms manual I have says to use a gasket sealer on a metal head gasket. I'm going to be using the GM 0.028" metal head gasket, should I use any sealer, possibly blue RTV or Indian head Gasket shellac?
Reply
Old May 25, 2016 | 10:25 PM
  #2  
paulo57509's Avatar
Supreme Member
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 48
From: Tracy, CA
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

Originally Posted by mikeyt
The Helms manual I have says to use a gasket sealer on a metal head gasket. I'm going to be using the GM 0.028" metal head gasket, should I use any sealer, possibly blue RTV or Indian head Gasket shellac?
Does it give a GM part number for the sealer? If so, use that.
Reply
Old May 25, 2016 | 10:29 PM
  #3  
mikeyt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, Virginia
Car: 92 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

No
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 12:12 AM
  #4  
Geekium's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, IL
Car: 1991 Formula
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

I have a service manual in the garage I can look at and see if they specify one somewhere if you'd like, probably tomorrow as I'm heading off for the night.
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 01:19 AM
  #5  
mikeyt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, Virginia
Car: 92 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

That sounds great, thank you
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 04:51 AM
  #6  
valicswarrior's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Car: 1985 Firebird S/E
Engine: SBC 350, mild cam Vortec heads
Transmission: Rebuilt 700R4 vette servo+shift kit
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

hey hey mikeyt know of any chill cruise nights in the Norfolk/Virginia beach area?
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 06:37 AM
  #7  
sofakingdom's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Community Builder
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,918
Likes: 2,448
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

WHATEVER the best thing is, it is NOT Indian Head shellac.

.028" should be a composition gasket.

Metal (steel shim) gaskets are usually more like about .016" thick, and are basically guaranteed to leak. See all the comments about Indian Head shellac to get a feel for why: they are simply OBSOLETE. Can be fine for a pure race-only car, where "longevity" isn't an issue; pretty much CERTAIN to fail in a street car, especially without very careful prep. Usual treatment for them in such circumstances is spray copper stuff.
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 07:11 AM
  #8  
AlkyIROC's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 169
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

I use MLS gaskets in my engine. I just spray them with copper coat.
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 08:25 AM
  #9  
Geekium's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, IL
Car: 1991 Formula
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

This is what I have for my 1991 Firebird service manual for V8 Engines.

Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 43
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

Originally Posted by AlkyIROC
I use MLS gaskets in my engine. I just spray them with copper coat.


Before the spray Copper Coat was available, we used aluminum paint.
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 02:08 PM
  #11  
paulo57509's Avatar
Supreme Member
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 48
From: Tracy, CA
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

Originally Posted by five7kid


Before the spray Copper Coat was available, we used aluminum paint.
I watched my father do this back in the day.
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 02:30 PM
  #12  
sootie007's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: ORLANDO FL
Car: 91 RS VERT
Engine: 305 9.67 2.02 58 cc 282 480 108 LC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.11 POSI
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

I went with metal .015's and copper spray coated them - just as insurance .
Reply
Old May 27, 2016 | 02:51 AM
  #13  
mikeyt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, Virginia
Car: 92 Camaro
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Gasket sealer on a metal headgasket...do I?

From all that you guys have showed me, the Indian head will not be used. I just read the same thing you posted in the manual...that's too funny
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mikeyt
Tech / General Engine
19
Jul 27, 2020 08:41 AM
1Aauto
Sponsored Vendors
10
Oct 25, 2017 01:38 PM
mcgarnicle
Exterior Parts for Sale
1
Jun 18, 2016 02:27 PM
mcgarnicle
Interior Parts for Sale
0
May 20, 2016 05:10 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:21 AM.