How many "Thumbs Up" for Curil T on the cyl base gaskets?
 

I'm going to go for installing my heads tomorrow. I've a question: Wayne's book calls for Loctite 574 in this location. I'm concerned that getting it on three cylinder gaskets, then the sheet metal, then the heads in the Loctite cure time will be asking for trouble...

I've noted several threads calling for Curil T, which I have on hand. I'd think that I'd have more time to pull of the tasks noted above, and it seems that its flexibility is a good thing to have here.

With the ongoing debates on sealants, anybody have a problem with Curil T on the base gaskets?

Well, I'm a big fan of hylomar so that's what I used. No cure time to worry about. It's not running yet so I can't report on the results.
regards,
Phil

I haven't had any problems with leaking cylinder base gaskets using Curil T. Locite 574 will get hard if you seat the cylinders and don't get the heads on within about 15 minutes. I don't usually have my stuff together enough to do that.

Thanks guys. I have Curil in my box of goodies, and don't have hylomar, so I guess it's Curil time.

Ed, I have used both Hylomar and Curil T and nothing... In all cases, no leaks.....

Hylomar is packaged by Permatex now and is available at most big parts places. I think in the future I will continue to use Curil T on these as this is what I have used on my latest 3.4....

Curil T and Hylomar are non hardening, so you can cetainly take your time and get the rest of the assembly correct while not worrying about the sealant you put on the base gaskets.

I really do not think that 574 is the right thing to use. I know in his book he quotes "consulting many experts" but never names who suggested 574 on the base gaskets. I am not saying it is a bad idea, but only saying what I have used and has proven to work for me.....

cheers

Thanks Jeff!

Remember, I don't think Porsche put anything on these gaskets, and not too many 3.0 or 3.2's develop leaks here before other work is required....

Ed, keep us posted with pics when you get the cylinders, heads and cam towers on!!

Cheers

Actually, the main concern "I think" that I have after researching the sealants for these gaskets is maybe not so much leaks, as the potential for them to "walk" over time?

Anyhow, got one side done, pics posted in a new thread:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/376847-back-installed-lh-head-cam-tower-today.html

base shims
 

Ed, we have seen no issues of walking or squeezing on the later engines, however on the turbo motors that have the .25mm shims and detonation they will pound them out the side and leak badly, we make sure the surfaces are clean and straight on the case/cyl. and use no sealer without problem. If I were going to use a sealer it would be hylomar sparingly.

Mike Bruns JBRacing.com

No sealant of any kind on base gaskets here. Just made sure everything was super clean. No runs, no drips, no errors, 800 miles in.
1970T 2.2 pretty much stock.
It's amazing how much faster I get to work in the morning over the 240D

I'd not worry over putting sealant on the base gaskets. The copper "crush" is the seal if you're using new gaskets.

In fact, when I did my top end last spring, my cylinders came loose from the case spigot. I was concerned about the base gaskets leaking. In my top end gasket kit I have the new base gaskets. But I didn't want to remove the cylinders and potentially mess with the piston rings. So I rolled the dice and left the old gaskets in place. Bolted it all back together and no leaks whatsoever after around 3000 miles which includes 3 track days- one of which was hot & humid and had the car running hotter than i've ever experienced.

Point being? I have no leaks after REUSING copper gaskets. So i'd not worry about putting sealant on the new ones.

You're engine will blow up soon though as a result of this. :D

I've been using Hylomar HPF for base gaskets... I never had a copper gasket leak, but I figure it can't hurt. 574 will work too, I don't use it because I don't like to clean it off cases. :)

BLASPHEMY!!! I aksed your advice when I made my blunder and you convinced me it'd be okay........... :D ;)

Taking the top end off is not a huge deal so I figured if it leaked then i'd be more inclined to look at the pistons & cylinders, rings, cracking the case to do rod bolts, timing chains, main & countershaft bearings....etc. etc. etc. Luckily it's not leaked so I don't have to go there. Plus the thing's only got 80K on the clock, so let's not get crazy!

if it ain't broke, don't fix it:)

Nay... fix'er till it broke!

:D

-michael

I already hung one set of heads and a cam tower yesterday. I ended up using the Curil-T, a very thin coat.

You have nothing to worry about, do the same on the other side of the motor!

Cheers

I always recommend using a conservative amount of Curil T, regardless of whether or not you have an aluminum to aluminum seal or have a steel or copper gasket in place.

I used a THIN coat of the Curil on mine during my 930 rebuild - no issues to report...

'Nother data point - Curil-T on base gaskets, running great (2.4). Going to do another one (2.7) in a week or two.

sounds like a good subject for a poll question.

25 years and 400 + engines and the best base sealant I have found is Curil T.

Aircooled Technology has used probably 100 sets of Nickies over the years and he always uses Curil T on cylinder bases, even with copper gaskets or thicker steel base shims in excess of .250" with no leaks.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1195221930.jpg

Somebody get that guy a small modeling/hobby paint brush. That's a big bead of green goo for such a small area!!
:D

Hey, is that a VW setup? Look at the valve cover gasket on the bench.....

I agree on the paintbrush idea, I used about 1 1/2" of his bead on the entire 2 sides of the copper gaskets on mine.

Porsche 356.912. There actually isn't all that much on there - the step that seals against the case is MUCH smaller than a 911 cylinder :-)

The rest of the photos are here: http://www.LNengineering.com/raby912

If you have the time, they are a blast to go through. I photo-documented the build of my 3/4 race street 1883cc Porsche 356/912 engine a few years back.