Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

Just wondering what is recomended (if anything) on a cork/rubber oil pan gasket. My full time pro mechanic buddy uses permatex non hardening #2 on both sides, but cruising youtube has a different guy using a different treatment in every video. Grease, vaseline, indian head shellac, you name it. I have learned that one does not need to be an automotive engineer to post up a video on youtube. Heck, even I have a channel..... So I feel we have a group of experienced, smart, serious minded guys here. . What do you like and why? Thanks, GB

Re: Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

I've been using Hylomar Blue for 30 years, which I think is equivalent to the non-hardening Permatex. On flathead pan gaskets I just put a thin continuous bead on the block, I don't spread it out. I then put the gasket on and press down to flatten it out a bit, then put another thin bead on the other side of the gasket, and fit the pan. Gently and evenly tighten up. Don't over tighten it. Hylomar Blue is great when you disassemble too. It remains sticky, you can remove the gasket easily with a scraper. But you have to use a solvent to get the last of the sealant off.
I use grease on inlet manifold gasket, both sides.
I haven't heard the word Shellac for over 50 years, but I was taught to use Shellac on OHV tappet covers. Put Shellac (any sealant would work) on the top side of the gasket then fit the gasket into the cover. Put grease on the bottom side. You can take the tappet covers on and off without damaging the gasket. Just put a little grease on every time you refit it and it will last forever.

Re: Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

i would coat just the pan as the block surface should be fine, if you do both you may have a hard time removing in a vehicle not to mention the cleanup.

Re: Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

The mechanic that rebuilt my flathead put sealant on the block side only to facilitate easier removal of the pan if necessary.

Re: Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

I Do like the stickem' on just one side for that reason. One of the youtube guys smeared vaseline lightly on the opposite side from the sealant. I just bought a tube of boat trailer wheel bearing grease. How bout that on the block side and #2 permatex on the pan side. I am definately overthinking this, but I only wanna do it once.

Re: Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

As long as we're talking pan gaskets and replacing pans, I'll throw this out. When I replaced the oil pump in my Corvette, the pan gasket set came with four slick springy plastic pins that held the pan up. Just screw 'em in, slide the pan up on them, and they will hold it up and allows you to put the rest of the bolts in. After that, replace the pins with the last 4 pan bolts, tighten 'em up and you're good to go. The nice thing is that being 5/16-18, they fit flatheads, too.

Re: Sealant needed on corprene pan gasket?
 

Denny, that brought a huge smile to my face when I connected all the dots and saw the 5/16 threads where they go in. A set of those would be great to have for reinstalling an oil pan in the vehicle. (or on an old inboard marine engine that is dangling from an overhead hoist)....