I've read of people doing beads, but also people smearing a thin layer down then putting the gasket on, then another smear... Whats your method?
I use a few dabs of grease to keep a gasket in place until it is in position and bolted up. Makes replacing it later a lot easier than gluing it on with Permatex. If anything use a little of this as that's the intended purpose. Amazon.com: Permatex 80065 High Tack Spray-A-Gasket Sealant, 8 oz. net Aerosol Can : Automotive
I only use a gasket sealant on rocker covers and that's because it's nigh on impossible to buy the gasket for my bike on it's own. I put a very, very thin layer on the head, place the gasket and put another very, very thin layer on the cover using my finger and bolt up. I think I've been using the same gaskets for something like twelve to fifteen years now. All my other gaskets I use a similar method, just a very fine layer both sides. I even use it for the base gasket on an aircooled two stroke.
Clean gasket surface. Put thin layer of rtv on gasket or surface. Stick 2 pieces together. Put film of oil on the non sticky gasket side. Assemble and torque. I like the gasket on the removable piece, clutch cover, rocker cover etc since if you need to remove gasket you can position the piece how you like. There are some good gasket in a van out there now so that is an option if you don’t have a new gasket. never use the end pieces on SBC intakes. Just use gasket maker/etc about 1/4 thick
This is going to be for a Ducati 1199 rear cylinder valve cover gasket. Ordered a new one and it'll be here this weekend. Thanks for the ideas, keep em coming!!
I know it is expensive but I used this on my 1199R valve covers and also on right side engine cover when I replaced plastic water pump gears with metal ones. This stuff is amazing and works really good.
Thanks, yeah I'm seeing Threebond 1215 should be used on the cover... permatex ultra grey is basically the same (from what I've read) and about 1/3 the price.