Gasket sealant - yes or no?

[chenzo]

currently rebuilding carb, also replacing intake manifold to head gaskets - when i took it all apart the PO had plastered everything n gasket sealant.

so do I need to use any for reassembly - I'm thinking that VW probably didn't use any when the engine was new and its more for bodging ???

 

[dubs and classics]

As long as the mating surfaces are clean and flat then No. If the heads / manifold surfaces are a bit rough from previous screwdriver clean up attempts then use the fibre gaskets rather than the original metal type. Carb to manifold again should be fine without sealant.