Head Gasket Sealer?

[jerussel]

OK -
I'm puttomg my engine back together and all is going well...

But - I've got to ask - Is a sealer needed to put the head back on?
If so, what's the best to use on these Supersonics?

Thanks,
John

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

When a gasket seal paste is needed, the time honored Permatex gasket paste does a pretty good job.  In fact, when the cars were new, Kaiser-Frazer contracted with Permatex to supply the Perfect Seal Gasket Paste in a can with a Kaiser-Frazer label.

[joefrazer]

No gasket sealer is needed to install a head gasket on the 226 engine. All surfaces should be clean and dry.

[Fid]

I second that. I've done a number of valve jobs / rebuilds etc. and never used any sealer on a head gasket. Most others require it but not a head gasket.

[jerussel]

Thanks all.  Really appreciate the input.

The no sealer solution is the one a machinist friend recommended with the slight difference of spraying the metal side with about 3 coats of cheap, silver spray paint.  He says the other side (the blue side) actually has a silicon sealer impregnated into it.  Ah...  The wonders of modern technology...  ;-)

[HJ-ETEX]

Head Gaskets - You know we are talking about 3 different types. Most head gaskets these days are plastic coated (usually blue in color) and the directions definitely say "no sealer." The original 226 type was a copper sandwich type and there may be a steel shim type. You can use something like Copper Coat on these last 2, but according to the great Smokey Yunick, cheap silver spray paint works as well. Don't forget that the head bolt torque should be checked after a break-in period.

[Logan]

I need to torque mine.  I've been driving on it for a few months now and haven't rechecked.

[jerussel]

THis one has blue on one side and smooth metal on the other side.
The dierction do say no sealer, but...   
Do I really put metal to metal with no sealer?

[HJ-ETEX]

Head Gaskets... Last year I replaced the head gasket on one of Ben Walker's cars. It was a copper sandwich type and was bought new. In fact he ordered one from NAPA and rejected the first one he got what he got because there was a crease in the gasket due to inept packaging and sloppy handling. A few months ago I had to refuse a Chevy 6 head gasket for the same reason. 
Go into Wal Mart and pick up a canned good item such as a can of peas. It is quite likely the can has a dent in it even though it may be from the MIDDLE of a carton! Of course a dent in the can doesn't change the taste of the contents nor does it change the shelf life (unless the dent caused a hole in the can). But I think it is a comment from the manufacturers, shippers, and retailers about what they think the public will accept.