Cam cover - on which surface to apply sealant? Topic is solved

Post by **j-dawg** » 12 Mar 2017, 13:45

Got me a big squeezy tube of anaerobic sealant and a foam roller to reinstall the top half of my cylinder head. One thing that is not consistent in all the instructions I've read on the intertubes: should one apply the sealant to both surfaces that will be in contact, just the top half, just the bottom half, ?????

My inclination is to put sealant on the top half and leave the bottom half clean, where I will install the spark plug seal o-rings. I suspect the surfaces are clean and flat enough that it doesn't matter either way, but if anyone with experience can chime in, that'd be appreciated.

Post by **misha** » 12 Mar 2017, 14:55

Bottom surface but make sure that you install it in 15 minutes after the sealant is applied.After that it isn't usable anymore.

Post by **rspi** » 12 Mar 2017, 15:49

I always apply the sealant to the cover. It is anaerobic so there is no rush to install the cover. It will NOT dry as long as air is on it. Two hours, 6 hours, 48 hours, doesn't matter as long as it is kept clean. I usually don't apply to much, don't want it clogging the small oil passages. Apply it like a thick coat of paint. The cover almost seals itself, the sealant just seals the deal.

One of those 1.69 oz tubes will do 2 or 3 covers.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 12 Mar 2017, 15:52

misha wrote:Bottom surface but make sure that you install it in 15 minutes after the sealant is applied.After that it isn't usable anymore.

How so? The anaerobic stuff will never set to dry until both surfaces are tightened down.

Post by **rspi** » 12 Mar 2017, 15:54

Start at 15:15

Post by **cn90** » 12 Mar 2017, 17:00

rspi wrote:..It is aerobic so there is no rush to install the cover...

@rspi, you need to add a prefix "an" to that word. It should be anaerobic.

Post by **misha** » 12 Mar 2017, 17:21

beigg wrote:
misha wrote:Bottom surface but make sure that you install it in 15 minutes after the sealant is applied.After that it isn't usable anymore.
How so? The anaerobic stuff will never set to dry until both surfaces are tightened down.

Don't know....that's what i was told at "stealership" a long time ago.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 13 Mar 2017, 00:50

misha wrote:
beigg wrote:
misha wrote:Bottom surface but make sure that you install it in 15 minutes after the sealant is applied.After that it isn't usable anymore.
How so? The anaerobic stuff will never set to dry until both surfaces are tightened down.
Don't know....that's what i was told at "stealership" a long time ago.

They're just hoping to stealer more of your monies if you believed them...

Post by **misha** » 13 Mar 2017, 03:43

Not me....i stopped to believe in them back in 2002.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 13 Mar 2017, 09:59

I have some anaerobic sealer in a tray along with the little roller all in a plastic bag that's been there for over a year and it can still be used because it's still very tacky.