Gasket sealants

[65TRAD270]

When is it recommended,if ever, to use gasket sealants?

65TRAD270

 

[OldmanRick]

Tell us what you're looking to seal? Different areas require different sealant's.

 

[pishta]

Many OEM's use sealers just about everywhere. Not many in direct gas exposure but thats about it.

 

[GEO]

For anything Oil, ATF fluid or water related I use "The Right Stuff".

Comes in a can like canned cheese and squirts out like it too, most auto parts stores carry it

 

[Rapid Robert]

"The right stuff" is killer material. Have the surfaces brake kleened and know that it sets up fast & it ain't coming off once it sets (have everything positioned correct the first time)

 

[RustyRatRod]

I always use RTV around water ports such on intake manifold gaskets and water pump gaskets. Never on the entire gasket surface, but only around the water ports.

I also use high temp RTV on head bolts, whether they go into the water jacket or not. It seals the bolts from the water if they go through and also keeps them from seizing up and breaking on removal. Any change in applied torque is minimal. Even on stretch to yield bolts. Been doing it that way over 25 years and never had a failure.

I like using RTV on ANY bolt that goes into the water jacket, PERIOD. That includes some water pump and timing cover bolts, any pipe plugs or drain valves. ANYTHING that threads into the water jacket. If you ever want it back out, you better put RTV on it.

Sometimes I use Permatex #2 as well. It works equally as good in every stated application.

What I DON'T use and have seen many recommend it is any kind of Teflon product. Over the years, I have seen a lot...and I mean a LOT of fasteners where the threads were eaten away and I attribute that to some sort of chemical reaction from using Teflon products, because I have never seen it where RTV or #2 was used. Besides that, Teflon is really made for pipe threads. Pipe threads have a taper and different pitch than bolt threads. People will come on here saying "I've used Teflon thirty years, blah blah blah..." and good for them. I don't like it and I don't use it in non pipe thread applications.

 

[GEO]

I always use RTV around water ports such on intake manifold gaskets and water pump gaskets. Never on the entire gasket surface, but only around the water ports.

I also use high temp RTV on head bolts, whether they go into the water jacket or not. It seals the bolts from the water if they go through and also keeps them from seizing up and breaking on removal. Any change in applied torque is minimal. Even on stretch to yield bolts. Been doing it that way over 25 years and never had a failure.

I like using RTV on ANY bolt that goes into the water jacket, PERIOD. That includes some water pump and timing cover bolts, any pipe plugs or drain valves. ANYTHING that threads into the water jacket. If you ever want it back out, you better put RTV on it.

Sometimes I use Permatex #2 as well. It works equally as good in every stated application.

What I DON'T use and have seen many recommend it is any kind of Teflon product. Over the years, I have seen a lot...and I mean a LOT of fasteners where the threads were eaten away and I attribute that to some sort of chemical reaction from using Teflon products, because I have never seen it where RTV or #2 was used. Besides that, Teflon is really made for pipe threads. Pipe threads have a taper and different pitch than bolt threads. People will come on here saying "I've used Teflon thirty years, blah blah blah..." and good for them. I don't like it and I don't use it in non pipe thread applications.

Your still building engines with 1980's technology, I did that way back then too.

Sealers and engine building tech has changed since then for the better.

It may have worked back then but there are better ways now.

Do us all a favor and get over yourself:booty: