The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Do cork gaskets need a sealant?

I'm switching out th oil pan, valve and rocker cover gaskets on the 216 engine in my '53 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Is something like Permatex Form-A-Gasket No. 2 Sealant any good?

Permatex® Form-A-Gasket® No. 2 Sealant

Slow-drying, non-hardening sealant designed for sealing cut gaskets and stamped parts. Allows for easy disassembly if required. Temperature range -65°F to 400°F (-54°C to 204°C); resists common shop fluids and fuels. Use where sealing is more important than adhesion.

Suggested Applications: Valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets

I do not like using any product that makes the gasket slippery.
It can make the cork split and squish out.
I do use a dab of Permatex® Form-A-Gasket® No. 2 Sealant where the pan side and end gaskets meet.

I use a very light smeer of Permatex #2, about as little as you can put on and say it's on there. not enough for any to squeeze out but almost. To much and it does make a gasket squirm, used correctly it's wonderful stuff!

I prefer to use a gasket adhesive to stick a gasket to the oil pan or to the valve cover. Use Permatex #2 on the other side. But I often put valve cover gaskets on dry to the head, then they're reusable many many times over. If the cover is straight you shouldn't have any leaking issues.

Grigg

I use the Permatex as well.
Using some nitrile gloves, I apply the permatex to the pan or covers and spread it with my finger to a thin, even layer where the gasket will be applied.
For me, it contacts to the gasket better and evenly with no ugly squish-out excess and waste.
The end result is same as mentioned in above posts. I can remove the pan or cover for those "minor adjustments" and reinstall afterwards wthout a fuss.
Jerry

Thanks all for your input. Much appreciated.

Thanks all for your input. Much appreciated.

JoJo's 53 is a just right truck. You don't have to worry so much about Paint and other things. I dated in a 1953 Chevy truck, 4-speed on the floor . It did have a heater in it, also had a cig. lighter. I didn't then and I don't smoke so all I used was the heater. Only difference was My Father's truck was a 5 window. Great truck. Don't be in a hurry to do anything but the mechanical stuff. That's important as you know. Now for a question. Where did you find wheels (with the clips on them.) I need two for the back of my 49 but no one here seems to have them. Not even the salvage yard, (it was "Junk" yard in my younger days.) Thanks, again, I like your truck. Red 49 Chevy

there's a boneyard near me that likly has some rims with clips...long way to ship tho from idaho...want me to see what the price is?