What do some of you all think about sealers for head gaskets? All the head gaskets I've ever gotten have all said, "Use No Sealer" and I never did other than the copper spray type that Permatex sells and that was on a 350 Chevrolet engine about 10 years ago which worked fine, and probably would have been fine without it really. I know Parts Place always recomends Hylomar on the head gasket and you get a tube with your rebuild kits they sell but I never used it on the head. I can't see where it would do much if anything and probably cause problems too especially if it got on the metal section around the bores. To me it just looks like anyother RTV-Silicone type sealer which I sure wouldn't put on a head. These were all the fiber style gaskets, I've never used the metal style before on the 1600 diesels. Have any of you ever used anything for a little extra security, if there is such a thing or solve a problem or even create one as far as that goes with a sealant and recomend anything?" I"m sure a lot of us are wondering about the same thing :?
I assume you are considering a steel shim, mls or copper head gasket. I know from experience the copper ones can be an extreme pain in the rump and have removed them from more engines than I have installed them into. I have used layered steel head gaskets such as the Cometic style units and have never needed sealer. Some of the old school mechanics that are still stuck on steel shim and copper head gaskets use the copper flake spray that you are referring to and many used (and still use) metallic spray paint on the gaskets before installing them.
There is no need ever to put a sealant on a composite head gasket, you will probably do more good than harm.
The hylomar is like the aircraft grade permatex if I remember correctly and it doesn't set up it stays plyable. I have never used it personally, but I think it is an older generation fix. I know an engine builder that does tons of tractors that uses it and recommends using it, but I don't know any race shop that uses it to help seal their high performance stuff. I won't be using any on my engine, but I don't know if it would be good for you or not.
I've used the hylomar stuff on my gasser before. I used it so that the gaskets would stay in place while I wrestling all the bolts into place.
