In a message dated 25/01/2007 12:05:50 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

So I'm  (hopefully) a day or 2 away from reassemling the heads on my '88.
after  reading every relevant message in the archives about this, I've decided
on the  Permatex Ultra Copper RTV sealant for the head gaskets and not the
Dirko stuff  that comes with the busdepot engine seal kit. What I'm still in the
air about  is sealing all the other stuff. benplace.com (thanks so much for
that page  Ben) says to use loctite 518 on the pushrod tube seals and the black
cylinder  O rings, but I've searched every FLAPS and hardware store in the city
and  nobody has this stuff. I'm also wondering if I should be putting
something on  the case-end threads of the new head studs I'm installing as well.
would the  yellow stuff that came in the kit work?
I guess what I'm wondering  is, would it be a really bad no-no to use the
Permatex copper stuff on  everything I just mentioned, or should I wait and get
the said and tested  stuff online somewhere?

Elliot, the Ultra Copper is  good.  Loctite's "The Right Stuff" is BETTER.
I'm now using it  exclusively.  For the push rod tube seals, no sealant needed
as long as the  tubes have been elongated slightly and have good tension when
installing.   I use the yellow sealant that comes in all the gasket sets to
seal the cap bolts  & washers on the studs where needed.  It works well.  The
RTV  sealant is not the correct sealant for this application.   I also coat  all
studs & threadeded connectors with anti-seize but you must be careful to
keep it off the surfaces where the yellow sealant needs to be.  All sealant
surfaces must be flat & absolutely clean, I use lacquer thinner and blow dry
method.  Surface of the heads where the head gaskets seal should be roughed  up
with 120 grit sandpaper, this gives the sealant something to bite into and
hold.  I use an orbital sander to accomplish this task.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains (_Collection
for  sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon  Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007