Manifold gasket seal

[johnc]

Following on from my post re-studs to downpipe;having removed the manifold I find that there are signs of leakage around the exhaust ports even though the gasket is new. I know that the perceived wisdom is that gaskets should be fitted dry but wonder if the application of a small amount of sealant on reassembly could be advantageous,if so what is recommended.
John

[suffolkpete]

Before you start considering sealants, I'd suggest making sure the mating surfaces of the head and manifold are flat.

[Luxobarge]

As above, cleanliness and flatness are paramount here.

However, I'm usually in the habit of adding a little sealant for good measure, in in the case of an exhaust manifold I'd use a thin wipe of exhaust paste (available from motor factors - comes in a tube and is like toothpaste).

Cheers

[tractorman]

+1

I had a similar problem with the Fergy - the face on the head had some deep pitting. As I was broke (Fergy = money pit), I put another manifold on and tried various sealants but it had very limited success - and was back to the old "farting" noise within a fortnight. As the head had other problems, it was cheaper to get another head and recondition that than try to sort the original one.

Yep, I spent £40 on the replacement head, £100 or so on skimming, valve seats and valves refaced etc; but the "new" head solved all the problems!

[johnc]

Thanks for the replies chaps,
I've already had steel rule along the mating faces which are clean and there is no evident 'unflatness'.I've sent an enquiry to Wurth UK to see if they have product and shall let you know what they say.
Johnc