Replacing gaskets

[JohnPR]

Hey guys. I’ve got a Ford Racing X302 crate engine in the car; it’s got about 14k miles on it. I’ve taken off the timing chain cover, as the gasket between it and the block was leaking coolant near the water pump passage area. Not sure what Ford used to stick the old gasket in place, but scraping and wire-brushing it off the block was a helluva job!

Anyway, I’ve got a new Felpro paper gasket kit that I’m planning to put in (along with the water pump gasket, etc) and am planning to use Permatex High Tack (the red stuff) on both sides of the gasket to seal it. However, I figured it might be a good idea to get a few opinions from the group here first, to see if High Tack is recommended. I guess the other option would be RTV, but with a paper gasket, I “think” that High Tack will be fine (and probably easier to remove if I ever need to go back in again).

Opinions / experiences??

Thanks,
John

[gbranham]

I always use black RTV on timing cover installations, and they don't leak. RTV on block, then install gasket, apply RTV to the timing cover, and install. Repeat same process for the gasket that goes between the water pump and its rear cover, and repeat again for the gasket that goes between water pump and timing cover.

Greg

[JohnPR]

I always use black RTV on timing cover installations, and they don't leak. RTV on block, then install gasket, apply RTV to the timing cover, and install. Repeat same process for the gasket that goes between the water pump and its rear cover, and repeat again for the gasket that goes between water pump and timing cover.

Greg

Thanks Greg.

[CraigS]

I use UltraGrey. It is a little closer to smooth peanut butter than the black which is more like mayo. For me it is a bit less messy to use and seals the same.

[JohnPR]

Thanks guys.

One other quick question: I also removed the oil pan while I was at it. It’s a Kevko low-profile pan, and I have a new Felpro 1-piece rubber oil pan gasket on the way. It seems like everybody recommends using a bit of RTV in the corners where the front & rear seal humps meet the block, but I’m also interested in hearing about what other people are doing over the seal humps themselves and along the sides.

It seems that a lot of people don’t put anything on the rubber gasket in those areas, but I also saw a quite detailed post from another John, about using RTV on the top-side of the gasket all the way around, and then using the pan rails to hold it in place temporarily while the RTV sets up a bit. Seems like a good process.

Do you guys use RTV all the way around a rubber oil pan gasket? If so, top and bottom? Or, if torqued properly, does the rubber gasket seal well enough on its own?

Thanks,
John

[rich grsc]

RTV is NOT used with a one piece gasket, except for a small dot in the bearing corners

[Mike.Bray]

For paper gaskets like the timing chain cover I like Gasgacinch. Also works well for the SBF intake gaskets to keep them from slipping down and causing a vacuum leak from the lifter valley, not that I would know about that:rolleyes:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNAV1I?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

[cv2065]

Thanks guys.

One other quick question: I also removed the oil pan while I was at it. It’s a Kevko low-profile pan, and I have a new Felpro 1-piece rubber oil pan gasket on the way. It seems like everybody recommends using a bit of RTV in the corners where the front & rear seal humps meet the block, but I’m also interested in hearing about what other people are doing over the seal humps themselves and along the sides.

It seems that a lot of people don’t put anything on the rubber gasket in those areas, but I also saw a quite detailed post from another John, about using RTV on the top-side of the gasket all the way around, and then using the pan rails to hold it in place temporarily while the RTV sets up a bit. Seems like a good process.

Do you guys use RTV all the way around a rubber oil pan gasket? If so, top and bottom? Or, if torqued properly, does the rubber gasket seal well enough on its own?

Thanks,
John

Here's a good Felpro article for you on their gaskets and the use or not of RTV. includes, oil pan, intake and timing cover.

https://www.felpro.com/technical/tecblogs/how-to-properly-use-rtv.html

[JohnPR]

Here's a good Felpro article for you on their gaskets and the use or not of RTV. includes, oil pan, intake and timing cover.

https://www.felpro.com/technical/tecblogs/how-to-properly-use-rtv.html

Wow - great info! Thanks CV.

[ProfessorB]

For paper gaskets like the timing chain cover I like Gasgacinch. Also works well for the SBF intake gaskets to keep them from slipping down and causing a vacuum leak from the lifter valley, not that I would know about that:rolleyes:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNAV1I?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I use Gaskacinch, too. It's a little hard to find it locally....but I LOVE that stuff!