Gasket Sealers, Lubes & Torque
By Koolkar

    A plethora of gasket sealers, adhesives, pre-lubes and torque values confront the engine rebuilder -- what are they all? And when do you use which? Here's Koolkar to sort 'em all out for us.

The Question

"IS there a book, or are there general rules for knowing which items get white grease (lithium grease?) loctite or some other misc. addition? Which gaskets get sealers + glue type stuff? Torque? Don't Torque?"

Loctite

    Locktite is used as a sort of chemical lockwasher. A little goes a long way, so use just a drop. Warren adds: Make sure your threads are clean!

Silicone, RTV silicone, high-temp silicone, etc.

    These products are used as a sealer, or adhesive, or both. Grease and gasproof. Good for valve cover gasket adhesive and used with the gaskets to seal small leaks. Also good for repairing cracked or nicked places in electrical wiring, or sealing around small holes.

Gasket Shellac

    Grandpa's favorite. Brushes on to a gasket and used as an ashesive. If you've ever had to brush, scrub, scrape and cuss to get old gaskets off then say howdy to gasket shellac (probably Indian Head Gasket Shellac). The stuff works good.

Moly Lube

    Used for assembly for engine parts, or drive train parts. The best stuff out there for my money is Lubriplate -- messy, but good.

White Lube

    Good grease for stuff exposed to the elements. I use the stuff in spotlights, rotating lights in emergency equipment, or anywhere the elements can get a shot at whatever needs lubrication and protection. Works good for lubing up the bearings in yer boat trailer too!

Glues

    Oh there's about a million of 'em. I like this stuff called "Goop". It's sorta like thick superglue -- ya better want it to stay there, cause it's gonna!

Torque

    Well, there's a torque value for EVERY SINGLE BOLT ON YER TRUCK, CAR AND MAYTAG! When a shop manual gives you a specific torque value, then ya torque it. Remember-- torque values are DRY--NO LUBE! I always wait about 5 minutes and retorque because bolts do stretch. Take yer time when torquing a bolt, it's easy to go too much.

More Info

• Permatex Gaskets (Federal-Mogul) Web Site
• Gasket Sealers -- An Overview -- From a motorcycle web site
• Permatex Web Site
• Loctite Web Site -- Not a very useful site, though -- Seems geared more for investors
• Lubriplate Lubricants