It's OK to disagree with me. If the flanges are straight, of the proper
thickness/strength to compress the gasket without distorting and properly
torqued, then no sealant is needed.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Frank Condelli
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 6:01 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 1.9 Head replacement (was lifter collapse / smog issue)

In a message dated 22/10/2009 6:06:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        Dennis, gonna have to  disagree with you on this one.  I have been
using and promoting the use of  Loctite Ultra Copper RTV Silicone Sealant on
the exhaust flat gaskets for years  and unless you put excessive amounts on
it will not foul the OXY sensor and  CAT.  I have had the opportunity to
remove many of the headers with these  siliconed gaskets and let me tell you
they are still stuck well to both surfaces  after many years and miles since
their installation.  This tells me there  has been a perfect seal there.

>>>>>Silicone anything on exhaust gaskets does not  add any sealing value
except
maybe to foul the O2 sensor and  catalyst.<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://frankcondelli.com/busindex.html)  -
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://frankcondelli.com/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://www.busfusion.com/)  a VW Camper  camping event,
Almonte, ON, June 11 ~ 14,  2009