Exactly! To be clear, I am not advocating the use of the gasket maker in this application. I, too, do well gluing only the cam cover side of the gasket. I am simply saying that in some applications, this product works. It is called 'gasket maker' because it should not be used with a gasket. It is designed to anaerobically create the gasket in the absence of air and under pressure. The application I referenced is in a particularly difficult sealing situation in which 70 lbs. plus oil pressure would literally spray out the join between the cam tower and the head at the front of the Lotus/Jensen Healy twin-cam engine. The factory had used a simply, thin paper gasket that worked until it didn't. Actually, the anaerobic gasket maker also worked until it didn't. Though the stuff worked quite well, the join would separate minutely after a time. The ultimate cure for the problem turned out to be drilling into the head and cam tower (with precision) and retrofitting a small tube to channel the oil pressure to the cam.
Ben -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of The Baylys Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 2:53 AM To: 'skip'; [email protected]; 'Alfa Digest' Subject: RE: [alfa] anaerobic gasket maker Are you saying you've used the Permatex without any gasket? If so, that will either not work at all in keeping oil inside (due to large clearances and hence minimal exclusion of air to make the Permatex 'set'), or it will work perfectly and glue the cover in place rendering it difficult to remove. If you've used it smeared over the factory gasket, it will likely not set properly as the gasket tends to breathe slightly. I usually just glue the gasket in place, one side only, using aviation gasket cement (because I love the smell, and have the remnants of a 40yo tube inherited from my Pop in the garage), or a smear of a silicone sealant/adhesive. Smear the other surface with oil and I get quite a few installation/removals before needing new gasket. 'Modern' anaerobic gasket makers are generally designed for relatively close tolerance joints, particularly those fastened much more closely than the Nord tappet cover. You need to be careful eliminating gaskets in favour of sealants though, as you can change critical dimensions. By definition an anaerobic sealant won't set in contact with air. The old Loctite 515 even seems to 'revert' to liquid form once it has set inside a joint, and that joint is opened up. So your sealant may well have set OK in the joint. I can't speak specifically to the Permatex, but generally those primers act as surface cleaners, and help accelerate the hardening process, particularly in cold weather. But the sealant should still harden fine if left for a while. Cheers Beatle '85 Novanta Oz -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of skip Sent: Wednesday, 10 July 2013 5:15 AM To: [email protected]; Alfa Digest Subject: Re: [alfa] anaerobic gasket maker Greg and all, Since there is no pressure in the valve cover if the breather system is functioning correctly, just oil flying everywhere off the cams, I have always had good luck using the stock gasket with a real thin coat of RTV on both sides. Skip Patnode '67 Duetto Norfolk, Va ate: Tue, 9 Jul 2013 13:32:46 +0000 (UTC) From: [email protected] Subject: [alfa] anaerobic gasket maker Gentle alfisti, I have used the Permatex anaerobic style gasket maker on my 1600 timing cover. This assembly was conducted several days ago and I can wipe the red Permatex off where it has weeped out of the seam. This stuff does not seem to set-up at all. The instructions recommend a spray-on primer. Is the primer necessary to set this stuff up? This liquid anaerobic sealant is not confidence-inspiring. Please give me the benefit of your experience, Digest. Thanks. modelle in somers point 105.04, 115.01 -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected] -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected] -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
