Hello to all, This newbie has gotten through the engineout, finding the problems and getting the valve clearences sorted out. Many hours of pure enjoyment mixed with frustration has gotten me to the point of reassembly so my question is gasket sealing. I've always used copper coat on head gaskets and hi-tack on everything else but since I have no experience with the Ferrari engine I would welcome any "REAL" feedback from those of you that have been wrenching on these for years. I have noticed allot of white silicone on the intake runners and personally don't care for the stuff. The receipts I have from passed work were from F-car dealers but I would hope they are not responsible for the last major ,if there ever was one! I have heard of a Ferrari mechanic (Maranello trained) from California by the name of Ferguson (twice raced at Indy) . If you by chance read this thread your old army buddy "Hawk" is a friend of mine and tells me you are the man. If you have the time to talk I surely would appreciate your comments. I realize this is a shot in the dark but if you read this and have the time to respond I promise not to waste your time! If through some magic this message reaches you Henry the G has my tele#. thanks for the advice guys, Lostbowl
I've done 2 308 engines + some Ford engines. I've never used any gasket sealant on the Heads for anything, but I've always had freshly machinrd surfaces to work with. What looks like white silastic on your inlets may infact be 3Bond sealnt which is what I use on all my other gaskets. I'm a big fan off the stuff. seals unreal, and cleans off real easy when parts are removed also.
TOJO, Thanks for the reply! I thought I've heard it all but 3bond is a new one on me. Can you tell me who sells it so I may have a look at it. Lostbowl
The best idea would be to google it I guess, to find yiour local supplier. I get it from an engine workshop up the road from me. Lots of motorcycle places here use it, as well as the Subaru dealer, but they charge heaps more for it.
Grey Permatex is the same sealent sold as Yamambond, hondabond, etc and used by the bike manufacturers. It's really good stuff. I am also a silicone hater, not so much because it is a bad product, which it isn't, but because it is SO BADLY misused. I have disassembled many engines that had chunks of silicone squeeze-out all over the place, including oil galleries, etc. The grey Permatex/yamabond, etc is a different formula than the silicones like the blue/black/copper stuff. It does not have that vinegar smell for one thing though I admit that is all I know about it chemically! I built thousands of engines over my building career and after fooling around with various products we ended up always using the same sealant on all cyl head gaskets...Aluminum spray paint. That's right, regular old AL spray paint as sold in any store. Sealed better than any of the so-called cyl head gasket sealers and we used it on everything from "normal" compression ratios in the 9/10:1 area up to an including 13.5:1 engines. Just make sure it is ALUMINUM spray paint, not aluminum-colored paint! If you are happy with what you currently use, then fine but you won't be disappointed with AL spray paint!
Thanks Mike, I know now, what to look for. I have the same problem with silicone,it's misuse! I have been around engines my whole life and must admit that Al. spray paint is a new one on me. I guess the only way to gain the confidence is to use it. thanks, Tom
Have used Al spray paint (and copper paint) on other gaskets with good success. I have only used it in cases where I had to re-use a gasket (NLA or emergency).
