TheSamba.com :: View topic - Alternative sealer for the mating surfaces of the engine ??

Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:23 pm

Hello everybody!

This week the plan is finish the rebuild of the engine for the DC ( 1600 SP, AS41) and the engine sealant is the only missing part in the process.

I´ve searched Permatex 3, Gasgacinch, curil T or curil K in every automotive shop here in el Salvador with no success.

The options available are:

1.-Indian Head Gasket Shellac

2.-Permatex 2

3.-Loctite 510

4.-Gray silicone

Any advice? (Specially for the mating surfaces of the engine halves)

Thank you in advance and this is the thread of my split:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6768092&highlight=#6768092

Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:27 pm

Avoid the shellacs like #1 and #2, they were great until the man started putting ethanol in gasoline, ethanol dissolves shellac.

Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:43 pm

I have a little bit of Central American VW experience.

When I was living in Guatemala, I did an engine build and I used Hondabond to seal the case halves.

I can't quite remember, but I think I got it at a Honda motorcycle dealership? Something like Yamabond will also work and may be available there.

Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:45 pm

Permatex Aviation

Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:46 pm

Careful, Permatex aviation is often alcohol based (used to be anyways), the Hondabond/Yamabond (grey silicone) is a better choice if selection is limited, just make sure you put it on thin and work fast.

Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:48 pm

loctite 574

Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:13 pm

Glenn wrote: Permatex Aviation

This is the best, but it needs to be a very old container of it that has been left open for years to form an extra thick tar-like paste. One that the brush can barely be separated from.

Don't even pretend that you don't know what I mean.

Gordo.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:13 am

flemcadiddlehopper wrote: Don't even pretend that you don't know what I mean.

Haha just tossed one yesterday! Pulled the brush and the whole bottom 1/2 came out in a yo-yo then when you let the brush go it all went back inside the can.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:29 pm

Permatex Motoseal is very similar to Yamabond/Hondabond and others. Dont use silicone.

Permatex 3H can be resurrected by mixing rubbing alcohol back in with the thick goop...

Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:44 pm

busworks wrote: loctite 574

This^^^^ If you can get it..

Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:38 pm

I ordered mine through fastenal. Was expensive too

Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:59 pm

Elring K2 with top left open for a while.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:00 pm

Is there a VW-Porsche-Audi dealer in your area? I can get Loctite 574 from our Porsche parts depot. VW/Audi have a couple of similar sealants. One is green to seal the camshaft bridge on 2.0T engines and another is white and says on the tube that it is used to seal Type 2 engines. Both work really well.

I can get you part numbers if needed.

Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:31 pm

I'd look for Hondabond. There's tons of Hondas all over everywhere, should be as easy to find as any alternatives. Works perfect, too.

Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:18 pm

I just read this thread and see its a couple years old since last post. So should I get Loctite 574? I see it on Amazon

Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:02 am

I'm not familiar with the locktite product, but you most certainly don't want to use any sort of silicone product. Permatex brush on is the preferred sealer. You need something that has 'zero crush', meaning that the case surfaces won't be held apart like silicone would.

Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:32 am

brese73 wrote: I just read this thread and see its a couple years old since last post. So should I get Loctite 574? I see it on Amazon

http://na.henkel-adhesives.com/product-search-1554.htm?nodeid=8797713760257

Quote: LOCTITE 574

Gasketing Product - general purpose. Ideal for use on machined and rigid metal flanges

LOCTITE® 574 seals close-fitting joints between rigid metal faces and flanges. The product cures when confined in the absence of air between close-fitting metal surfaces. It provides resistance to low pressures immediately after assembly. Typically used as a form-in-place gasket on rigid flanged connections. The nature of LOCTITE 574 reduces the migration of liquid product after application to the substrate. It has a high oil tolerance and excellent water and glycol resistance.

Your benefits

Ideal for use on rigid metal parts, e.g. cast iron components and pump housings
High oil resistance
Excellent water and glycol resistance

Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:22 pm

There are many sealers that will work. Perhaps the most important advice is to make sure the surfaces are spotlessly clean with no oil film- wipe them down with brake clean before applying the sealer. Use no RTV (silicone), I use Permatex High Tack. RTV leaves beads (worms?) that hang out and eventually break off, getting into the oil system and clogging vital passageways. I know a guy who has built lots of motors with Indian Head. Permatex #2 is really thick and will hold the halves apart, I wouldn't use it.

Good Luck!