Head Gasket Seal

[OhioCatsTC]

When replacing the head gaskets on a 1993 3.8L motor should any type of gasket seal be used or should they be put on "dry?" I have some Copper Coat Gasket compound that I have been going back and forth on using. Thanks!

[MichiganTeddyBear]

I am sure others will chime in here too.

when I changed the head gaskets on my 92 cougar (3.8), I use a set of felpro gaskets and new head bolts (this is important, as the bolts are one time use), and put the gaskets on 'dry'. no problems with them after about 70k miles.

[Steve Moran]

Something I do that is not nessasery is to smear oil all over the head gasket on both sides, It is the old school way of doing it due to the composition of gaskets now days.
I just figgure it could not hurt and in my mind it allows freer head/block movement as I torque the bolts.
As I have said it is not required, I just do it.
I have seen someone install gasket sealer on a cylinder head and it was a nightmare, he goofed up and then could not remove the head even with a prybar and cheater pipe.

[98TC-Cartier]

Felpro gaskets have to be installed DRY.......
Anything on either surface will eventually cause the gasket to gall and tear, and you are into another replacement. The finish is very important as well, won't hurt to buff the head surface to almost a mirror shine.

[OhioCatsTC]

Looks like it will be going on dry, thanks! BTW I believe that head gaskets are not compression gaskets but rather create a bonding seal. Because of this all oil residue needs to be removed from the areas the gaskets will be coming into contact with.

[98TC-Cartier]

They are a compression seal, a bonding seal head gasket on a alluminum head/iron block would be destroyed in a few heat cycles. You can use bonding seal gaskets on all aluminum or all cast iron engines.

Honda use a heat activated seal on some of their watercooled bike engines, you should run the engine for 2-3 min without coolant to heat up the block so the gasket seals properly. The residue is a bear to remove.

[OhioCatsTC]

Thanks for the info, Bob.