Replacing Head Gasket

[crawdadric]

1993 Bayliner 19' Classic, Mercruiser 3.0L 4cylinder 181 cu.<br />When replacing the cylinder head gasket, the service manual states when using the ribbed stainless steel gasket coat both sides with perfect seal. A warning note that came with the gasket states not to apply anything to the gasket because it has a special coating applied at the factory. What would be the best thing to do in this situation?<br />Are the cylinder head bolts reusable or are they one time use and replace?<br />Thank you

 

[Laddies]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Your new gasket is not the old style steel shim the newer style don't need sealer

 

[crawdadric]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Thanks Laddies, any thoughts about reusing the cylinder head bolts?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

It won't hurt a thing on a 3.0 is common practice

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Yep - what Laddies said. Some people say you shouldn't reuse head bolts, but I've never had a problem doing so.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

They make a special grease to apply to the threads on the bolt to prevent them from sticking and breaking next time you remove them or want to tighten them. Whether you reuse the old bolts or buy new ones, I would use this product on the bolt threads.

 

[crawdadric]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Boatgrunt,<br />Are you refering to quicksilver perfect seal? I've been trying to find a place that sells this stuff.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Sorry - couldn't and still can't remember the name of the stuff. I will check with the guy who had it and lent it to me and post the name.

 

[crawdadric]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

I found the bolt coating. It is Quicksilver Perfect Seal Sealing Compound. Mercruiser part number 92-34227-1. You can buy a can of this stuff from mercstuff.com, order number 4227. When you go to the main page, look under Tools and Parts then click on 12. Mercathode, Flame Arresters, sterndrive cover etc... section and you will find it on that page.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

You can get Perfect seal from any Mercury Outboard or Mercruiser dealer<br />You can also use Permatex 3D, does the same thing and you can usually find it a NAPA or other automotive stores.<br /><br /> http://www.permatex.com/products/prodidx.asp?automotive=yes&f_call=get_item&item_no=80017

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

yep - just confirmed that the stuff I used was also Permatex anti-sieze lubricant.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

It is NOT anti-sieze, and it's not used to make the bolts come loose the next time. It is a sealant to prevent the head bolts from leaking coolant. The head bolts go through casting of the block and into the water jacket.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

uh oh. i don't think that's what i used. the stuff i used was to allow the head bolts to be removed easily. <br /><br />Don - do I need to remove the head bolts and coat them with the sealant that you mentioned?

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Don't mean to hijack someone else's post, but per my last post, any opinions on whether I need sealant on the bolts used to secure my intake manifold? I only used the anti-sieze lubricant. Hopefully this answer might help crawdadric as well.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Anti-sieze is not a sealer, a sealer is needed to keep the cooling system water from getting into the oil thru the threads of all those head bolts with threaded holes into the water jacket.<br />I guess the question is, Do You Feel LUCKY????<br />Nobody is wanting to make this decision for you and say "Go ahead and run it the way it is" then have it fail.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

If the bolts go through into the water jackets than you defiantly need a sealant on the threads. Re the head bolts themselves, check the manual if it states replace than I would replace them. Reason is its common place for head bolts to be stretched in the thread area when fitted from new. This means that the thread area actually stretches and they are manufactured to do so when the recommended torque is applied, this stops them from coming loose with the different expansion and contraction rates between the head and block. In the good old days of heavy cast iron castings it was not am issue, but with the newer thin wall castings and different materials being used its common to have one shot only bolts fitted.

 

[crawdadric]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Boatgrunt, no problem adding your question to this post. I think the information put on here will help alot of people in the future.<br />Paulie0735, the service manual does not mention replacing the bolts, just the order of installation. A guy in my office, who rebuilds car engines as a hobby, told me the exact same thing you posted. I wanted to get the opinion from the marine mechanics on this site.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Don - You forgot the "Well, DO YA PUNK" in your "Do you feel lucky" I don't have a name for my boat...maybe I should name her Dirty Harry

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

I have used Permatex thread sealent with teflon on many a head bolt. It seals and the teflon acts as an anti seize and it also allows more accurate torque. Never had a problem with leakage or frozen bolts.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Replacing Head Gasket

Thanks Buttanic. Since I've already reassembled everything, I am probably more interested if anyone has NOT used it and if so, what they've had for results.