Mercury Perfect Seal question

[Carolina_Rig]

Is Permatex High Tack gasket sealant an acceptible substitute?

thanks

[JOE54]

prob work just fine

[EuropeanAM]

I would want to know what engine you were using it on, and specifically for what purpose (or gasket).

Please see the Forum Announcements, and be sure to provide the REQUIRED info when posting. Thanks!

[Carolina_Rig]

prob work just fine

I thought so too. thanks

[jason78]

When I needed Perfect Seal, several sources led me to believe Permatex Aviation Form A Gasket was the same thing but could never confirm 100%. In the end, I decided to go with the Mercury Perfect Seal as I was doing a Bravo 3 Bearing Carrier and didn't want to take that kind of risk for about a $15 savings.

https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...ealant-liquid/

[Carolina_Rig]

I went ahead and ordered the Perfect Seal as well. I also saw threads about the Aviation Form A Gasket at various places.
Like you said, it's cheap enough and I'm waiting on some other parts to arrive anyway.

[EuropeanAM]

What are you using it on (specifically)?

[Carolina_Rig]

What are you using it on (specifically)?

Water pump base. 2004 Optimax 175 OT922019

[QuickBullet]

You have to consider that some gaskets are also spacers for their application. Using sealer on a waterpump base and housing will decrease the clearance in which the impeller has. It will work but it will also create extra initial heat and wear into the stainless end plates.
Personally as cheap as the pump gaskets are I wouldn't use anything but the proper gaskets! JMO

[Carolina_Rig]

You have to consider that some gaskets are also spacers for their application. Using sealer on a waterpump base and housing will decrease the clearance in which the impeller has. It will work but it will also create extra initial heat and wear into the stainless end plates.
Personally as cheap as the pump gaskets are I wouldn't use anything but the proper gaskets! JMO

I'm not substituting Perfect Seal for a gasket. I would never do anything that idiotic on something as important as the cooling system on an outboard. The Mercury factory repair manual calls for Perfect Seal on the bottom of base.

[Haughton]

Think everyone just wanted clarification on how you were using it to give a good sound answer. A lot of folks read these forums and use them in their own repairs. Proper answers prevent them from doing exactly what you said about short cutting a gasket.

[JOE54]

put gaskets on it please

[Carolina_Rig]

put gaskets on it please

In fact, on and under it

[EuropeanAM]

[QuickBullet]

Nothing will seal better than a DRY Gasket!
Anytime you put Pukey on a gasket it will squish out when tightened!
Liquid gasket sealers have their place....as in sealing a surface that's rusted, corroded or such, (along with a gasket and don't over tighten), but not on a smooth surface that needs a gasket for spacing!
If you want a perfect seal on a smooth surface that does not need spacing then Silicon works wonders as long as you don't over do the tightening and it has to be applied to a clean, oil free surface!

[SilverFox579]

I have a 2.5L Optimax and the only place my manual calls for Perfect Seal on the water pump is inside the insert area of the pump cover, before installing the insert. This only applies if you are re-using the old cover and installing a new insert. Since a kit comes with the insert already installed in a new cover, there is no need for Perfect Seal. Water pump gaskets are installed dry. Only sealer you need is high temp silicone in step 5 and at back of water pump for exhaust dam.