Well I found me a long block and I am in the process of putting the new motor together. The gasket kit I recieved from "Off Road Equip" seems to have everything. My question to the forum is should you use a gasket sealer or gasket maker to combine the parts? It seems like the old motor didn't use any type of gasket sealer or silicone. What are your thoughts?
Generally speaking if the mating faces are flat I would never use gasket sealer. However there are are always possible exceptions. Some which come to mind are;
If a previous ham-fisted mechanic has used a power sander and rounded off the sealing faces.
If the D&A calls for it.
Thin (0.005") paper and steel gaskets that are buried deep in the assembly and would be a mountain of work to redo if they leaked.
Gaskets with 'jigsaw' type joints will get a little sealer at the joint.
Where two gaskets meet in a 'T', for example if the timing case gasket butts up to the sump gasket.
If you do decide to use sealer anywhere, only use just enough as is necessary. Lumps of sealer breaking loose and floating round the oil system can cause untold grief.