Yes,
The Blue Hylomar is good for both the metal seal and the o-ring. I have also
used it on the ring on the base of the cylinders.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tom Carchrae
Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2013 9:39 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: off with her heads

Thanks Dennis,

Interesting about the compression gasket sealant. Is that blue hylomar you
are taking about?  I presume go extremely sparingly when applying, and use
instead of grease.

Tom
On Nov 22, 2013 9:36 PM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> See below!
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Tom Carchrae
> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 4:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: off with her heads
>
> Hi All,
>
> I got the bolts fixed and the heads vacuum tested by the machine shop
> (if you are in Vancouver, Alec's
> https://plus.google.com/103170149757334342065/about?hl=en - they were
> helpful and seemed pretty fair).  All good, and my 1984 NLA
> thermostat/water-pump housing is saved from the snapped bolts... for now.
>
> How important is it to hone a used cylinder.  The internet seemed full
> of opinion on it.  I remember Dennis saying to carefully remove the
> carbon on the top, but honing to help the "piston rings seat' (I am
> replacing the
> rings) did not yield any clear answer on the great internet.
>
> I really don't believe in honing the cylinders much. You need to
> measure carefully. It is easy to remove a few thousandths quickly and
> you will end up with an engine with piston slap noises. I am even
> seeing (hearing) this with engine rebuilt with the new knock off cylinder
kits.
>
> I had also asked them if they could clean up/smooth the surface area
> under the compression gasket (where the head mates with the cylinder)
> and they said they were not sure how to do that properly, but they had
> called around to some other shops to ask and suggested I take it there
> (which I totally respect them for admitting that).  I am considering
> doing this myself - there is no major damage.  The worst is a small
> scratch from the (first and
> only) use of a screwdriver to remove the compression gasket - the rest
> of it is just carbon crap.
>
> Machining the tops of the barrels requires a lathe and someone who
> knows what they are doing. The lathe and the chuck needs to accurate.
> I have probably replaced more cylinder sets due to top damage or bad
> pistons than cylinder wear or bore damage. You can try cleaning the
> tops using a very flat surface and a fine grit emery. If you can see
> or feel the scratch I wouldn't use the cylinder. Not only does the top
> of the cylinder have to e near perfect, the two of them side by side have
to be perfect together.
> Hylomar is a good sealant to use on this gasket and the O-ring.
>
>
> I am considering removing the engine to check the clutch, although I
> don't have a floor jack and the engine is really high up from the
> ground (van is up on blocks).  I might try the winch method, or just
> leave it.  Common sense tells me I should check the clutch while I am
> in this deep (how deep is the rabbit hole...).  And I'm sure I'll my
> sanity will thank me when I put the piston rings on (without removing the
pistons).
>
> If you're going to work on your van at some point a good floor jack is
> a must. Get it over with and get one. Look for one with a large saddle.
> Preferably a removable saddle so that tranny adapters and stuff can be
> fitted.
>
> Tom
>