Hitchcocks Forum

On a 1950's G2 Iron barrel bullet I have an air leak between the head and barrel. I have tried nipping up the head bolts to no avail.

I have read that wellseal or another silicon gasket seal may cure the leak. Am I correct in thinking I will have to remove the head and coat both surfaces with the sealant as opposed to trying to squeeze the sealant into the area with the leak?

Absolutely you do.
I fact that you ask this question makes me think that perhaps you shouldn't be taking the head off yourself? Not without some guidance anyway.
Wellseal isn't a silicone sealer BTW but just what you need in this case. Thinly applied and left to "dry" before assembly.
Make sure the mating surfaces are good too and use a new gasket.

Thanks Peter, i removed the head recently and refitted a new gasket when assembled. it sounds like you would recommend wellseal over silicon as used in some Indian video fixes. Off to Halfords!

Yeah, I like Wellseal better. Just a smear and let it "dry" (not that it does)
It's silicone not silicon (sorry)

Peter have you used " Heldite" Gasket Jointing Compound & Universal Sealant Thread Lock Pipe Sealer before? It has been posted on the forum as better than wellseal. I don't think Halfords stock either so I will probably have to order online. I am going to take a run out to halfords later.

The head should be removed and checked for flatness along with the cylinder block. Thats the proper way the garage would do it. If it is ok a new gasket is fitted and torqued carefully.

If you remove the head and replace with the same gasket and some kind of bog sealant you will likely not succeed in making a proper long lasting job.