Reply To: Mid 50’s OMC head gasket sealer?

[Don]

drifter wrote:

I have seen some come with a sticky substance on them. But others that appear to be dry as a bone. I have ensured a flat surface by doing the ” figure 8″ with 150 wet on a glass surface.
My intuition says install it dry but I want to make sure I’m doing it correctly. I know the 10hp head gaskets have the copper ring but the smaller hp engines don’t.
I even have a manual that shows lathering on the silver anti-seize compound on the head gaskets.

You bring up a good point. The copper ring seals the cylinders, using sealer to seal up a poor/corroded/eroded fit in this area has little chance of working out. The sealer is used to help prevent external water leaks. I always use a bit of the OMC/merc gasket sealer when installing new head gaskets, regardless of head gasket style. The pre coated gaskets don’t require any sealer, but using a bit isn’t going to hurt. And yes, I apply the sealer to the inside cylinder edge of the gaskets also, even though it won’t seal up imperfections in this area.