i am repalcing a head gasket on a 97 ford taurus. i already replaced it last weekend and apparently did a bad job as it leaks. i am hoping someone can help me out. do i need any type of sealant? someone told me to use coppertop sealant. do i put this on the top of the block and bottom of the head? do i need to rotate the engine at all to get the number 1 cylinder at tdc? there are two dowels that are on the block. this car only had one when i took the head off and the gasket was not leaking. do i need these dowels? any other help or information would be great. such as what should i be looking for when inspecting the block/cylinders, any installation aids or advice. i dotn need the advice of have a mechanic do it. if i had the money i would be having a mechanic do it. thank you.

 

i never put sealant on head gaskets a friend of mine used to paint Cummings truck engines with aluminum spray paint on the block but that is the only sealant i have seen used and yes the other dowel pin would help in keeping the gasket in place when you let the head down you could also use an old head bolt with the head cut off and just screw it in a little with your fingers so that you could remove it after you had a couple of bolts started