Gasket sealants

What works best when sealing a base gasket? and head gasket ( I will be useing a flame ring )

Both base and flame ring head gaskets should normally be fitted dry, although I will admit I normally apply a small amount of Wellseal around the pushrod tunnels at the head joint! And I've never had any oil leaks from either the head or base joints.

L.A.B. said:

Both base and flame ring head gaskets should normally be fitted dry, although I will admit I normally apply a small amount of Wellseal around the pushrod tunnels at the head joint! And I've never had any oil leaks from either the head or base joints.

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Thankyou, L.A.B.
What is Wellseal or it's U.S. equivalant?

Nortasaki said:

What is Wellseal or it's U.S. equivalant?

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I'ts the sealant that most UK professional classic bike and car builders prefer to use.

http://www.burtonbikebits.net/jointing_compound.htm

I believe it is available from a few suppliers in the U.S.

If you want to run without a base gasket, Loctite 574 is great stuff, there's none of the issues with excess getting squeezed out into the engine that you get with all the rest.
For the head I agree with others that the gasket (flame ring) goes on dry with a thin smear of sealant around the pushrod tunnels.
I've always used silicone for this in the past but tried Wellseal last time out, it goes on nice and thin with less chance of any going into the engine so I'll probably stick with it.