Head Gasket Sealant - Y/N?

[olr159w]

I expect there is no completely right or wrong answer.

I'm fairly certain my previous head gasket had no sealant applied. Its only getting replaced because the head came off when a valve spring broke but it had been performing just fine.

There are views online and in person about using Hylomar or VHT copper gasket or nothing at all. Some of the online advice talks about modern head gaskets already having a coating and that makes sealants unnecessary and indeed highly unwise.

I have a new extra thick gasket - as before - and sometime soon I'll be refitting it all. Its sourced from Rimmers, black and the surface feels very smooth and almost slightly slippery - so it feels like it may have a coating.

I'm interested in everyones views and advice ?

thks

[yorkshire_spam]

Others I'm sure will disagree, but I've NEVER used sealant on a head gasket. If it's a composite gasket I just fit as is. If it's a thin metal foil gasket then I apply with an incredibly thin smear of grease to help it bed (like you can't see it has grease on, but can feel the difference if you touch it)
Never had any issues with this approach across Land Rovers, moderns or classic Triumphs.

[Mad Mart]

I've never used sealant on a head gasket in over 40 years (and never will) and I've never come across anyone that does. If the block and/or the head is not flat or are pitted badly then they need to be machined flat or replaced.

[dollyman]

I've never used sealant on a head gasket in over 40 years (and never will) and I've never come across anyone that does. If the block and/or the head is not flat or are pitted badly then they need to be machined flat or replaced.

You have met someone now Mart I was taught to use Hylomar on every gasket, only a thin smear but always have done. I think everyone has their own take on the subject.
I have to say there are some horrible sealants that used to be about, i think there were two colours of Hermetite one of which set like concrete and was a pig to remove.

Tony.

[Carledo]

Back in the dim and distant days of my apprenticeship there was a sealer called "Wellseal" that was advised for use on the old copper/asbestos headgaskets used at the time. Only the oldest mechanics would use it and then only sparingly.

Over 50 years in the trade now, hundreds of headgaskets under my belt and I NEVER use any sort of sealer on headgaskets.

Steve

[JerryTR5]

On the 1300/1500 4pots & the 6 pot 2 & 2.5 engines I like to put a smear of Hylomar around the oil way that goes up to the rocker shaft. This can weep a little at the back of the head.
Still learning about slant 4"s !
Jerry

[TrustNo1]

that one way of preventing the gasket sealing and getting sealnt in the oil or waterways

the only head gasket you should use is a PAYEN one for the 1300/1500

[olr159w]

Thanks. I had a feeling the consensus would be against use of sealants.

Like I said, I have never used on head gaskets either but someone recently swore by the copper spray and more to the point the local Triumph workshop is adamant about the use of Hylomar.

I thought modern gaskets have a coating that improves the seal as well. So question answered, thanks all.

[GinettaG15]

in the old days, when headgaskets were just a "nacked" composite gasket i always used sealant around the oil and water channels.

today´s gaskets, even for older engines, often have siliconed aereas around oil- and water cutouts...see here a pic of the gasket for the oldschool ford crossflow engine: (please forgive me to use a Ford Gasket as example, but my expirience is higher with Ford as with Triumph)

[olr159w]

It won't be too long now before everything is ready to put back together.

Here are pictures of both sides of the head gasket. No siliconed areas on this. Looks quite bog standard.