As I’m assembling my B20 should I use a gasket compound when installing paper gaskets on the front and rear main seal housings ? I have used Indian Head Gasket Compound in the past on stuff like thermostat housings.

Thanks for your help

Clem

I use hylomar either with or without a gasket using the dissimilar metal criteria or a spacing criteria (need the gasket thickness for proper contact elsewhere) if I want to be able to take it apart easily later.

Otherwise, light fluid contact or no pressure... dry. heavy fluid contact, under pressure or in a notorious leaky-spot, gasket sealant on the side that is easiest to scrape later and hylomar or light coat of grease on other side.

OTOH if I'm at a loss for a gasket I may just make one up of goober-schmuckum labeled for the environment it will be in.

Hylomar is my favorite, however.

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Mike!

Paper gaskets? I always use Indian Head or brush-on Permatex.
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Roy Olson

That's exactly what I just used putting mine back together. Works well.

But, theoretically at least, thermostat housings shouldn't need any sealant - just the rubber ring around the thermostat.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.

I use permatex on things that are made of basically the same metal. When fitting iron to aluminium, though, I use a gasket as well as I think that would minimize leakage due to the different ways the metals expand/contract.
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'66 1800S

Yes that stuff works great