Teflon tape or antiseize?

[WindDancer]

Will be replacing the screw in zinc's(3) in my Yanmar 3GM30, should I use teflon tape or antiseize compound on the threads? It is salt water cooled.

TIA
Forrest

[billangiep]

Wind Dancer,
I would never put anything on the threads other than maybe a bit of dielectric for lubrication .....you want to keep continuity other wise the zincs are useless.
Bill,

[hellosailor]

What Bill said. NO insulation around the zincs.

Other than that, a metal-rich antiseize like neverSeize (nickel & copper) probably wouldn't hurt, since it allows direct metal-to-metal contact when they are seated. But I've never heard of anyone needing antiseize on zinc plugs, did yours bind up last time?

[Alan Wheeler]

What hellosailor said. Nickel is your best bet if the plug is brass and the block is cast, although lanocote also works very well and especially in aluminium. The threads still get enough electrical connection. Not not use PTFE tape, it can islolate and insulate the thread.

[WindDancer]

Thanks Guys for info.

I had to use a flex bar and a 3' pipe extension to break loose the zincs in the block, the one on back of head was easy. I will try some of the "metal rich" antiseize.

[hellosailor]

" and a 3' pipe extension "

OK, that's antiseize time by me.<G>

[Boracay]

Is there such a thing as a conducting antiseize?

[hellosailor]

"Is there such a thing as a conducting antiseize?"

Absolutely. There are FDA-approved food grade compounds which are usually teflon based, and those do not conduct. But most antiseize compounds are a mixture of nickel and copper dust in some type of oil. The oil may not conduct, but the dust content is so high that the paste itself will conduct. And note the instructions to use it sparingly, the stuff spreads like silver paint on your fingers and your tools and everything it touches and you wind up "decontaminating" for days if you've been too generous with it.<G>

,,,and the sink and your clothes, and the tool box and the cat
Yep, what they said