Permatex80062 High Tack Gasket Sealant, 4 oz.

This is a step that most DYI types miss. If you are like myself and prefer to use a paper gasket instead of the gasket maker in a tube then you should consider this product. You spray both sides of your gasket with this adhesive and apply the gasket to your well cleaned surface. Align all the bolt holes perfectly. Wait 5 minutes then install your cover. This will assist in preventing any leaks and really helps on vertical surfaces like differential covers or semi-vertical surfaces like valve covers.

My axle seals in my 1993 F-150 failed and leaked over my brakes, so a repair was needed. That meant draining the rear differential in order to gain access to the axle. There are many schools of thought regarding how best to re-attach the cover to the differential once the work is done. Options include: RTV only, gasket only, gasket with RTV and gasket with this high tack sealant.It seems the preference has moved to using RTV only especially in newer vehicles. That may be related to manufacturing processes and the simplicity of having an automated tool dispense the RTV as the axle moves down the line. Keep in mind that the differential is likely facing upwards during the manufacturing process to facilitate the RTV application. In the real, shade tree mechanic world, this rarely happens. The surface is vertical and presents minimal challenges, but one can still mess it up if not careful.I’ve used RTV only in my 2014 F-150 and have evidence of minor seepage. That’s on me, as it was the first time that I ever used RTV only, as that was the OEM process. In contrast, my 1993 had a gasket and likely an adhesive. It was a bear to clean, as I had to scrape its remnants from both surfaces. I replaced the fluid in 2018 and used a gasket and RTV. Reading further into the best practices, some folks commented that a gasket and RTV should never be used together. I wish I read that earlier, as there was evidence of minor seepage beyond the gasket.I then took a deep dive into the F-150 forums and found someone who had suggested using a gasket with Permatex High Tack Gasket Sealant. He noted the sealant doesn’t harden or cure, so re-servicing is slightly easier. I opted to give this a try, and I’m glad I did. I made sure both surfaces were free of gasket, grease, dirt and RTV. A light sanding on each surface was followed by a wipe with brake cleaner. Make sure the sump in the bottom of the differential is empty, or at least not near the edge, as it may wick over and drip on the bottom surface and render your seal useless.As I noted above, there are multiple suggestions as how to apply this to the surfaces and gasket. Here’s what I did. I laid the cover flat and applied the sealant to the sealing surface. The sealant has a brush. I ensured there was a good coating especially where the gasket would be in contact with the cover. I then applied the gasket to the cover. The sealant holds the gasket in place, so make sure you align the holes. This sealant is unique in that it gets stringy when exposed to air. I found it best to work quickly and not to go over areas multiple times to avoid clumps. I then applied the sealant to the other side of the gasket, that is the side that’s against the differential surface. It was just easier for me this way, as I was working on the ground. You can likely add it to the differential if you’re working with a lift. Excess towards the inside of the cover, and therefore differential, can be wiped after the gasket is laid on the cover.I carefully aligned the cover, added 1-2 bolts to hold it in place and then torqued all 10 bolts to 30 ft lbs. I don’t think there is any cure time with this product, but seeing as I had other things to do, I left the differential empty until it was my last task. That was about 1-2 hours later. There are no leaks, so this will be my preferred method going forward with this truck. Good stuff.

Great product and customer service. Product as described. Great customer service

Good stuff! Very sticky but doesn't harden like glue or cement, and doesn't dry out. So you can peel the gasket off and reposition if needed, or even reuse. So far no leaks!

seems to be good quality,

An indispensable item when working on vehicles. On paper and cork gaskets it's either this or Indian head. HiTack has a slightly high heat resistance rating. It's tackiness is it's value. Both seal the gasket material which is necessary for longevity and leak prevention. A must have in a tool box.

Been using Permatex products for well over 50 years and have never had a poor experience. Its just a few pennies more but its 10X better than the closest competitor.

I used this after watching a video how to to reassemble/seal valve covers on my GM SB 350. I will also use it upon doing the Drain/fill service on my TH 350 transmission cover gasket. Application is 1969 GMC K15.