TheSamba.com :: View topic - Permatex Sealant for Head-Cylinder-Case?

Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:25 pm

Hey everybody!

I've recently ordered a can of Permatex 80019 Aviation Form-A-Gasket No. 3 Sealant on Amazon to seal my case when I put it back together. It's rated from -65F - 400F. Will I be able to use this for the seals on either end of the piston or will I have to order something with a higher heat rating like the Permatex Ultra Copper? That one is rated at 700F intermittent.

This is my first VW engine overhaul so I don't know exactly how hot the cylinder seals are supposed to get. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Jonathan K

Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:45 pm

Nothing goes between the cylinder and the head. Unless you need a copper shim. But if this is a bone stock build, Stay with nothing.
If you do end up needing to shim the cylinder, put it on the case end.

Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:47 pm

Use the Aviation sealer on the case halves. Use Hi-Temp RTV on the cylinder bottoms. Nothing is use to seal the heads onto the cylinders.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:08 am

This was recently discussed on here - a few of us like Permatex Right Stuff for the cylinder/case joint.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:09 am

I use high temp Permatex silicone on the pushrod tube seals.

Reason being, I used to use the aviation, but after a while it would cake up and dry/crack on the pushrod tube side facing the head (got really hot)

So I switch to RTV light coating on pushrod tube seals, Cylinders.

Then aviation on case haves.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:11 am

Ultra Copper on the base of the cylinders and nothing on the pushrod seals.

Over 40 engines and never a problem.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:31 am

Glenn wrote: Ultra Copper on the base of the cylinders and nothing on the pushrod seals.

Over 40 engines and never a problem.

Even after many miles?

White silicone push rod seals?

Do you still use the paper gasket between the case/cylinder

Also-

Have you used stainless steel push rod tubes? (might do that on my next build)

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:43 am

I use Permatex 2 on the case halves and cylinder bases with the paper gaskets (Permatex on both sides of the paper gaskets) and never had a leak. I only use oil on the push rod tube seals and again, no leaks. I spend the extra time to clean and smooth the mating surfaces before assembly which also helps.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:49 am

Mr.Duncan wrote: Glenn wrote: Ultra Copper on the base of the cylinders and nothing on the pushrod seals.

Over 40 engines and never a problem.

Even after many miles?

White silicone push rod seals?

Do you still use the paper gasket between the case/cylinder

Also-

Have you used stainless steel push rod tubes? (might do that on my next build)
Never a reported problem.

Only use the white seals

No paper under the cylinders.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:56 am

not to side track from the original post but i have a question about the push rod seals

every one here has written that they have white seals

all the parts websites show the push rod seals as white

the seals that came in my elring gasket kit are greyish

are these the same seals as the white seals?

Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:13 am

Same.

I always use the Elring sets.

Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:35 am

I use the silicone ones on my stainless steel pushrod tubes, no leaks. The white ones are damn hard and I could never get them leak free, since I switched to silicone, no problems.

The stainless P/R tubes are excellent. very good quality and they don't rust. I didn't have them in 2012 when I went back to Bonneville and ended up replacing them when I rebuilt the motor even though I washed it off extremely well, the steel ones rusted BADLY

If it's a 1600 you can use the paper gaskets and a light touch of RTV (I also like Right Stuff). I've found that older cases have pits and irregularities and using the paper and RTV seals them exceptionally well.

brad

Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:45 am

Glenn wrote: Same.

I always use the Elring sets.

thank you Glenn!

one less thing to worry about or replace

Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:53 am

I buy the aviation perm.at local napa store. Painted the regular steel push rod tubes with por 15 or 20 to keep from rusting.Installed without any type of sealer(dry) and no leak.I thought the white seals were the silicone.

Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:51 am

Hey guys!

Thanks for all of the replies. I have some high-heat RTV sealant for the cylinders and I'll use that when I start putting everything together.

Thank you,

Jonathan K

Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:26 am

As long as it is a non drying one, it should be fine... If it dries it crumbles and gets where it shouldn't.

Fri Dec 18, 2015 4:30 pm

Glenn wrote: Ultra Copper on the base of the cylinders and nothing on the pushrod seals.

Over 40 engines and never a problem.

Hey, sorry to drag up a nearly two-year-old post, but if you have to shim your cylinder how do you apply the Ultra Copper? Between the shim and the case, between the shim and the cylinder, or between both?

Thanks!

Fri Dec 18, 2015 4:45 pm

I do both.