Wet or Dry Gaskets

[tartan18]

My manuals differ on the subject of installing new gaskets wet or dry. So I ask you -- the experts. Should I coat a new gasket with grease/oil or install them dry.

Exhaust manifold (one manual says dry and another says to coat with grease)
Intake manifold (one manual says with grease and another says to install dry)
Cylinder head bolts (one manual says to coat with engine oil or anti-seize another manual says to install dry)
Camshaft towers (one manual says to smear with grease; another manual says to coat with engine oil)
Camshaft covers (one manual says to smear with grease; and another says to use engine oil)

What kind of grease?

Yeah, I know silly questions; but I am not a skilled wrencher like some of you dudes and dudettes. Help!

For the head gasket I have both a Fel-Pro 21201 B (no silicone trace lines) and an Athena that has silicone trace that was part of a complete gasket/seal set from IAP.

My car is a 1975 but the engine seems to be a 1977 because the engine number is 132 A1 031.6

I appreciate all your help.

Jim ...

[vandor]

Normally all gasket are installed dry. Cylinder head BOLTS need to be dipped in motor oil. Likely anti-seize would work as well.

The Felpro gasket should have a silicone trace, IIRC, but it's the same color as the gasket.

[htchevyii]

I've had good luck using Permatex hylomar gasket dressing on paper and cork gaskets. It seams to seal them up and keep them from weeping. http://www.permatex.com/products/Automo ... ealant.htm
I've heard using anything besides oil to lubricate the head bolts can throw of the torque,(saw some numbers somewhere). I'd recommend oil to be safe.

[tartan18]

As always I am deeply appreciative for your help. What a fantastic resource for this fumbling wrencher. Now I am waiting for my next parts delivery that is expected on Friday. Looking forward to a weekend working on my Spider.

[manoa matt]

Not only do you want oil on the cylinder head bolt threads, but you also want oil on/under the thick washer under the bolt head. It doesn't have to be a lot, just a few drops will do.

[124ADDHE]

Matts correct about head bolts; good point!. I like to grease (wheel bearing grease) all of my gaskets (other than the exhaust) as it allows easier removal in the future. That is the only reason. Also, its important to lube all threads with anti-seize, loctite, oil or grease, again for removal but also for max useage of applied torque.