Athena MLS Head Gasket sealing

[PaulKemp]

I am about to put the old Pinto back together, I have had to buy an MLS type gasket to get the required 1.3mm thickness for the design compression ratio on a 93mm bore.
I have been looking at posts on many different forums regarding gasket sealing to prevent water and oil weeping.
Options go from fit it dry if the head block surfaces have been skimmed with a fine surface finish, through using spray Hyloma blue around the water channels, to splitting the gasket and spraying a thin layer of Hyloma on every surface.

Some thoughts from the Pro’s would be most welcome

[Coilspring]

PaulKemp said:

I am about to put the old Pinto back together, I have had to buy an MLS type gasket to get the required 1.3mm thickness for the design compression ratio on a 93mm bore.
I have been looking at posts on many different forums regarding gasket sealing to prevent water and oil weeping.
Options go from fit it dry if the head block surfaces have been skimmed with a fine surface finish, through using spray Hyloma blue around the water channels, to splitting the gasket and spraying a thin layer of Hyloma on every surface.

Some thoughts from the Pro’s would be most welcome

Have never, and would never use anything with a head gasket. Either the surfaces are right/square/flat, and will seal, or they won't. No gasket manufacturer that I know advises any sealant.

Certainly wouldnt be splitting an mls gasket to do it.

[stevieturbo]

splitting the gasket and putting hylomar in between does seem to border on stupid.

I've never had an issue using MLS gaskets as they are supposed to be. Dry, straight from the packet.