My piston ring compressor tool showed up today, along with some assembly lube and a tube of threebond 1215.
I used the threebond on both sides of my horizontal cylinder base gasket, so that's one oil leak sorted.
So that got me thinking about what sealant is appropriate for what. 1215 seems to be the go for semi-permanent metal-metal joins. What about on fibre gaskets, like the ones CA cycle works sell? What's the diff with 1194, which I see mentioned?
I think 1194 will make the re-usable gasket not re-usable.
I like Hylomar for dressing paper gaskets. It never hardens and gaskets will stay soft and pliable. If it's good enough for Rolls-Royce... I use it on fuel sender o-rings.
Search for Hylomar Universal Blue.
Permatex has a product that is similar... http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-85420-Permashield-Resistant-Dressing/dp/B007VIGCJW/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1370606455&sr=1-2&keywords=hylomar (http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-85420-Permashield-Resistant-Dressing/dp/B007VIGCJW/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1370606455&sr=1-2&keywords=hylomar)
I haven't used the new Permatex material, but I have a tube a customer sent me.
I only use 1215, and the only engine gasket I would goop is the base. and goop between cases and alt and primary drive covers. any of the pressed steel style I fit dry.
if i'm using an old style paper gasket I just grease them if I may need to remove them later (alt cover) or just dry.
the main reason I don't goop routinely removed gaskets is that, while it might allow you to re-use gaskets, it also makes a mess that you need to clean off next time. it always takes me much longer to clean off the goop than the equivalent labour cost of the new gaskets. and some always ends up in the sump.
hylomar does work well, but something about it just annoys me. probably the sticky mess you end up in.