Anti-seize or gasket sealent for bolts?

[Daphne444]

While I was picking up a new water pump kit today at the Merc dealer I asked about the use of anti-seize. He said that he does not like anti-seize it "does not allow the bolts to seat properly and they can vibrate out". Instead he recommended using some gasket compound as a sealer to keep the water from penetrating in the first place.

What are the thoughts here? I was just about to put the gear housing back on my outboard using anti-seize once the new water pump was in.

(If he is correct, I think that I would prefer for the bolts on the gear housing to NOT vibrate out while the boat is on the water.)

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Anti-seize or gasket sealent for bolts?

He was speaking specifically about Perfect Seal available from Merc dealers. I use it on gearcase bolts and sterndrive manifold and head bolts. Never-Seez isn't a good idea because it's metallic and can accelerate corrosion if it dries out. Blue loctite is another good option that I frequently use.

 

[rudedude]

Re: Anti-seize or gasket sealent for bolts?

I use the blue locktite and always use new lock washers, I guess thats like have suspenders and still haveing a belt on as well.

 

[Nate3172]

Re: Anti-seize or gasket sealent for bolts?

Anarobic sealant works good also, just a little harder to find than loctite.

 

[Daphne444]

Re: Anti-seize or gasket sealent for bolts?

Thanks for the advice, it is always a good idea to have some blue loctite around. Also, as a follow-up I did some searching here in the forums on Mercury Perfect Seal, which I had not run across before. It sounds like that is good stuff. Several people also recommended Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket No. 3 as essentially the same stuff:

http://www.permatex.com/products/au...tex_Aviation_Form-A-Gasket_No_3_Sealant_a.htm

That may be easier for people to find if they do not have a Merc dealer near by.