Having never replaced a paper gasket before, I am assuming you prep the gasket with something beforehand.  Motor oil?  Grease?  Some $12.95 a bottle paper gasket prep fluid?  Maybe mayonnaise?  As you can see I need help.  This is for right crankcase gasket, the leak more than tolerable.  Thanks!

Matt

Motor oil?! NOOOOO!! NOO!! Defeats the whole purpose!

There are 2 schools of thought on this. Those that use an rtv/silicone gasket material in conjunction with the paper gasket. And those that just use the paper gasket. (and I suppose those who just use silicone...not my recommendation, but it works in a pinch)

If you can get the mating surfaces really nice and clean and smooth, just use the gasket. That's how the factory does it, it works fantastically providing the mating surfaces are clean, and it's a far cleaner installation.

If the surfaces aren't perfect, clean and smooth them up best you can, wipe them down with a clean  rag and some brake parts cleaner (evaporates quickly and leaves no anti-gasket residue), and put a little rtv on both surfaces, insert paper gasket, bolt it up.

Oh, one more thought. The paper gasket can be a pain in the ass to keep in place when you're trying to put it all together. You can buy a spray can of gasket adhesive at the auto parts store that will keep the gasket in place and make the job a bit easier. I use it on anything I'm assembling that isn't laying flat on the ground and held down by gravity!

Thanks.  Finished with no problems.  90% of the time was spent removing old gasket material.  The leak used to cause the underside to be covered in oil.  It's nice to have a dry underside again!

Matt

That's usually the way, the old gasket gets cooked on there. Glad you got it done!!