Use of sealers/sealants when rebuilding an engine

Posted by fredkanter On 2016/12/26 17:25:27

I usually feel that if it was good enough for E. Grand Boulevard it's good enough for me. Packard did not use any sealers like non-hardening Permatex Form-a-Gasket on paper gaskets but that was on brand new components. I use it on water pumps where the block or pump may be corroded or nicked.

Copper or steel manifold gaskets are not porous and as long as the surfaces are clean I see no reason to use a sealant.
Copper or steel head gaskets the same. Modern gasket technology uses composite head and manifold gaskets, they have more "give" than metal ones and I do not use any sealant either.

What are your thoughts and experiences?