Mark - Steve's bro'

Couple questions for gasket experts (or those with more experience than me!)

1. Can I reuse my valve cover gaskets if I pull the covers?
2. When Steve and I did the valley pan gasket, I put Permatex on the pan side of the gasket and on the pan. I'm wondering if this is the source of my leak? Should I have put the gasket on dry (i.e. no sealer)?

Thanks!
mark.

4Driver4

Gasket should have gone on dry.

Mark - Steve's bro'

Hm. I'm guessing that's my problem, then. D'oh!

Mark - Steve's bro'

The old gasket (same material as the new one) was oily on top between the pan and gasket. As though it had been leaking between gasket and pan surface. The block side of the gasket was dry. So I figured a little extra help from Permatex might seal things up better. My bad.

So...er... Steve... what are you doing this Saturday?

Mark.

Edd W

then you should never use it on any engine components. If a bead of the silicone forms on the inside of the surfaces as they are compressed when it is tightened, the dead could come loose and block an oilway.

The best sealant to use, if any, is Hylomar, if you have that. Red is for general use, designed for internal use in engine buiding.

If you use new gaskets you shoudl never use sealant unless expressly instructed to do so by the gasket manufacturers.

You can 'get away' with using a small amount of silicone sealant if you are re-using old gaskets but always use the absolute minimum to create a seal.