Is Sealant Needed with Mahle Multi-Layered AG Head Gasket?

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Picked up an engine gasket kit made by Mahle and the head gasket is a 3-layer design. Inner and outer layers are steel and the middle is a composite. I was hoping the instructions would indicate if sealant (Permatex spray copper) should be used or not, but they don't. I'm thinking it should but would like to be sure. Anybody used these Mahle head gaskets and know?

thanks,
bob

[Stevetractor]

I’ve not used that brand specifically but always a great practice to coat new gasket with copper coat. Also I assume you have chased the threads in the block with a tap. I like to use new head bolts dipped in permatex aviation sealer as well. Many good threads here on where to buy the bolts and the right grade. Hope this helps.

[BigBill]

on the steel headgasket I use the permatex hi tac spray. Then each bolt is cleaned on the wire wheel washed and installed with the permatex #2 on the threads. Then go up slow on the torque. Don’t forget to run it then retorque when it’s cold.

[Glen]

Hi,
The head gasket used on Cubs is thick, like you described above.
Below is a pic of one at TM Tractor, they don't have a side view though.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/en/438fp.htm

Below is a post I made lately, with info about installing a head.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=102173&p=807849#p807849

[jsfarmall]

I have that exact gasket in my mower 48. I didn't use any sealer. Although it wouldnt hurt. I didn't use any sealant on my head bolts either. No leaks or anything. Although it won't hurt to use it.

[Gary Dotson]

If a head gasket has metal surfaces, I spray it with Copper. Some of the Fel Pro gaskets are metal on one side, composition on the other. On those, I spray only the metal side. Does your 140 have head bolts or studs? I agree with advice on the bolts but if you have studs, it's a different deal.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I use Copper Coat on all head and manifold gaskets. May be overkill, but have never had a leak problems in 50+ years. Before Copper Coat we coated them with grease from grease gun.

[Gary Dotson]

John, before Copper Coat, we used rattle can aluminum paint. It still works pretty good if you don't have Copper Coat.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

No rattle cans made yet back in the days I am referring to. I started working on tractors pretty young.

[staninlowerAL]

Nice pict John. Every First Class Mechanic needs a good hammer.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Nice pict John. Every First Class Mechanic needs a good hammer.

Actually I was using the special wrench IH made for loosening those wheel clamps.

[Mrblanche]

No rattle cans made yet back in the days I am referring to. I started working on tractors pretty young.

5 years old.jpg

Just in passing (and interesting to those of use who spend way too much time saying, "Huh?" as we read forums), the paint spray can first appeared in 1949, although it was patented (in Sweden) in 1927. Don't know when they started putting sealants, etc., in them, but I remember a lot of that stuff from my youth in the '50's.

https://www.ft.com/content/6fa3b94e-b05 ... 00779fd18c