Just wondering what you guys know or have experienced with using this stuff? I am looking to use it as an extra-sealant between the mating surface and the paper gasket. I'd like to use it on my throttle body, IACV gasket, etc. and other gaskets here and there for the extra seal.
I know its a pain to clean off, but it is alcohol solvent, so it should not be THAT hard.
Anyways, just wanted to see what you guys knew about this stuff and our engines.
Indian Head Shellac - Basically Form-A-Gasket.
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supreamS14
- Posts: 1046
- Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:13 am
- Car: 96 240sx S13-blacktop Sr20deT
Re: Indian Head Shellac - Basically Form-A-Gasket. (tokendog)
I use copper gaskit spray on most of all my gaskits and never had a problem but I never herd of Indian Head Shellac . Where did you get it? How much? and have any pics of the Indian Head Shellac ?
Re: Indian Head Shellac - Basically Form-A-Gasket. (supreamS14)
Basically, from what I've read, its an old school thing that is not used much anymore. Its made from the excrements of beetles and is basically processed tree sap, I'm assuming. The name of the beetle is the Lac beetle. It is also used in some candies, wood shellac, and other chemicals.
Indian Head Shellac is basically pure shellac, no chemical additives, and it is safe for aluminum, iron, etc. and paper gaskets.
I've researched it a bit and it seems to be what all the old time mechanics used to use - and in most mechanic shops with guys who have been doing this for over 30 years, you'll almost always find a bottle of Lion Head or Indian Head Shellac because you can apply it to almost anything. I've asked a few old time mechanics around here about it and they say they use it on head gaskets, broken/damaged gaskets, between mating areas that they don't have a gasket for but would prefer one, etc. Basically, its all-purpose.
The only downside is that it is EXTREMELY adhesive and clean-up is a bit of a PITA.
Thats what I've gathered from browsing on the internet, but I was hoping for experience/knowledge regarding how it works out with our engines.
If you've ever used Form-A-Gasket, this is the same stuff, but without the chemical additives.
Indian Head Shellac is basically pure shellac, no chemical additives, and it is safe for aluminum, iron, etc. and paper gaskets.
I've researched it a bit and it seems to be what all the old time mechanics used to use - and in most mechanic shops with guys who have been doing this for over 30 years, you'll almost always find a bottle of Lion Head or Indian Head Shellac because you can apply it to almost anything. I've asked a few old time mechanics around here about it and they say they use it on head gaskets, broken/damaged gaskets, between mating areas that they don't have a gasket for but would prefer one, etc. Basically, its all-purpose.
The only downside is that it is EXTREMELY adhesive and clean-up is a bit of a PITA.
Thats what I've gathered from browsing on the internet, but I was hoping for experience/knowledge regarding how it works out with our engines.
If you've ever used Form-A-Gasket, this is the same stuff, but without the chemical additives.
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supreamS14
- Posts: 1046
- Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:13 am
- Car: 96 240sx S13-blacktop Sr20deT
Re: (codyace)
OOpps I just copper sprayed my 1.5 MLS costworth HG when I installed it! My block was not decked and I wanted to fill the little scratches so it wouldent leak. Leak free so far! What can or will happen? Any one have any problems installing a HG with copper spray? I never had any luck with commetic HG's, they always leaked on me, but I never used copper spray on them or re torqued the head.
Cometic stucks, no matter what you use with it to seal
MLS gaskets come with build in 'sealing stuff' and seal around the actual rings. Early guys using copper spray on the ApexI and Greddy ones were having issues with the copper not liking the MLS gasket stuff. Most directions with MLS gaskets still suggest not to use anything additional to help seal.
Some guys have had no issues, but I think that being you went with a good name brand HG, that you may end up being ok.
MLS gaskets come with build in 'sealing stuff' and seal around the actual rings. Early guys using copper spray on the ApexI and Greddy ones were having issues with the copper not liking the MLS gasket stuff. Most directions with MLS gaskets still suggest not to use anything additional to help seal.
Some guys have had no issues, but I think that being you went with a good name brand HG, that you may end up being ok.