Head Gasket Sealant? - Benzworld.org

kutz · 10-12-2007, 08:14 PM

Hey,
Haven't visited in a while due to school and work and such. Anyways, the long long journey of replacing the headgaskets is half way done. Got my kit, head assembly machined, and block cleaned.

So my question is: Do I need any sort of sealant between the head gasket and the head assembly? ALLDATA does not mention. I'm gonna ask my mechanic tomorrow. I just want to be sure.
I have researched and found out that the new type of head gaskets do not require any sealant. How true is this?

The reasons why this took so long is because I had school in the summer, work, took a vacation, first engine DIY, and those blasted stripped bolts on the exhaust manifold. The alldata is awesome so far mentioned everything that my mechanic said would be the problematic steps. Right now I just really want to get my benzo running so it can get painted; the lower half and get rid of the awful around the trunk.
BTW, got the head gasket set, head assembly machined, and 20 head assembly bolts for $460 CAD.

Brett San Diego · 10-12-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutz

Hey,
Haven't visited in a while due to school and work and such. Anyways, the long long journey of replacing the headgaskets is half way done. Got my kit, head assembly machined, and block cleaned.

So my question is: Do I need any sort of sealant between the head gasket and the head assembly? ALLDATA does not mention. I'm gonna ask my mechanic tomorrow. I just want to be sure.
I have researched and found out that the new type of head gaskets do not require any sealant. How true is this?

The reasons why this took so long is because I had school in the summer, work, took a vacation, first engine DIY, and those blasted stripped bolts on the exhaust manifold. The alldata is awesome so far mentioned everything that my mechanic said would be the problematic steps. Right now I just really want to get my benzo running so it can get painted; the lower half and get rid of the awful around the trunk.
BTW, got the head gasket set, head assembly machined, and 20 head assembly bolts for $460 CAD.

I'm pretty sure, no gasket sealant, but I'm no mechanic. I've never pulled the head from an engine.

Be extra careful with setting the camshaft timing and assembling the timing chain, guides, and tensioner. See lesrrt's recent post for a bad result.

Nice work, so far. Good luck with the rest.

Brett

jimmy9299 · 10-12-2007, 11:48 PM

is so make sure u use gasket glue from dealer

**bayhas** · 10-12-2007, 11:51 PM

never came across a car that needed sealant for the head gasket, but who knows about merc!

i really really doubt it, a quick call to the dealer will confirm.

dave rees · 10-13-2007, 06:57 AM

No sealant requred, but if you wish you can apply a THIN smear of engine oil to both sides of the gasket before fitting ( this was standard practice afew years ago on most engines) does not do any harm.

kutz · 10-13-2007, 03:21 PM

I think I'm gonna pass on the engine oil, but it's good to know. Just cleaning my valves now, well at least getting the loose carbon out. Getting ready to drop the heads soon.
As to the chain tensioner. I have marked the chain at 4 different points (for each sprocket) and shoved pins to hold the camshafts and took plenty of pictures of the camshaft positions before removing the tensioner. So, I don't think I'll run into that problem, at least lets hope not.