Spray on gasket product question

I read the can clogs easily and not sure if/how they would avoid corrosion from two metals on the opposite side of the common metal nobility table especially in the presence of an electrolyte such as water. Not all heads are aluminum. You seem concerned so I would call them directly and ask assuming you can't get a satisfactory response here. Their number is on their website as you know. If not an acceptable response form Permatex, they make other non-copper products that I have used on all forms of gaskets and aluminum-aluminum sealing applications that worked great. Some are in spray can so you don't have to brush them on. Download their one-page technical product sheets for more info. Best of luck and let us know what you decide.

 

I've used it on head gaskets many times. I've never seen any corrosion.

The nozzle does tend to clog easily.

 

My engine builder guy (does tons of vintage race car engines) always sprays a very light coating of this on the head gaskets. I can't see how you're going to hurt anything if it's spayed just on the gaskets. I used it on my last set of head gaskets and it worked just fine.

Belt & suspenders.

 

On my jet-ski and motocross engines with shim stock gaskets i spray a light coat of copper coat on both sides of the gasket. Never have had a problem with a gasket sealing issue in over 20 years of use.

 

I'm and FAA licensed mechanic and would not use #3 on anything other than Aircraft because the stuff is archaic. Things happen so slowly in the aviation industry because change needs to be proven in a process that is costly and intentionally slow. There are way better products out there other that #3. I think #3 is crap myself.

I would use a European product called Curil K2 for you engine cases and head gasket. They also make one call Curil T which is better for exhaust fittings. I bought both on Amazon.

They cleanup with denatured alcohol and a Q-tip swab if you are looking to keep it pretty.

 

I agree with Keith. I'd much rather use Copper Coat than the old school Aviation Form-A-Gasket. I'd most likely use Hondabond or an equivalent but Copper Coat would probably work fine-- I've used it on tons of head gaskets over the years..

 

Better to kill a buzz now than live with a mistake. ����

But really, the #3 or any of their aviation products are old and usually messy. Why anyone would use the stuff on a car or a lawnmower is beyond me. I guess there is a certain stigma about aviation grade... But not necessarily true. I am a recently retired Aerospace Design Engineer and even military material standards can be beat in the commercial market. Just because it has a Mil-Spec doesn't mean its invincible. There are often better products in the commercial arena, you need to have some insight to find much of it. The specification business is big and the information is costly. SAE sells their specifications, I once purchased a 3-4 page spec from SAE and it was $250, for 4 pages???

 

There are a couple of pros on this thread. You should listen to them.
Guys with lot's of experience always count more than us "clever amateurs".

For your application Loctite makes some anaerobic sealers like 515 and others which are specifically meant for applications lik yours. You can call their tech line (non consumer one) and talk about your application if you like. Those can be a bit harder to use than the spray copper but they will absolutely seal and leave no hardened sealant inside your engine.

 

Another sealant I like for air cooled engine cases is Loctite 574. It moves a bit with the cases. I've used it on Porsche 911 engines and VW air cooled engines. For real stubborn leaks, Yamaha makes or sells a product called Yamabond #4 or #5 or Hondabond, same numbers. Both available on Amazon or your local motorcycle shop. My favorites at this time are Curil K2 or Curil T each in there separate uses.