Thoughts On Rtv On ....

So what are the latest thoughts of using the fuel pump gasket by itself, a little RTV only on the pump side or both sides? Same for thermostat housing? Valve cover is a cork affair so I put some on the cover side with a little weight to get it stuck to the cover. Now some on the head side? I'm use to the old rubber gaskets for Pontiacs where you really only put on the cover side to keep it in place.

 

I replaced my fuel pump not long ago, I put a very light smear on both sides of the gasket and bolted it up. I usually do that for any part I don't anticipate having to remove again for the foreseeable future. I have had mixed results when using RTV one side only or none at all. I do use it sparingly though and I'll dress mating surfaces if needed,when RTV is used in excessive amounts it ends up in places you don't want it plugging up oil passage ways and destroying the motor.

 

I haven't had the best luck using RTV on cork gaskets, I use Permatex Aircraft brush on cork gasket, and only one side when it is removable, like the valve cover or the side cover. I use RTV when not using a gasket at all. I good friend of mine, a transmission shop owner, told me to put my transmission together without gaskets, just clean them real good with brake clean or acetone, put a thin coat on the part and snug it up, let it sit and tighten it later after the RTV has started to harden. It works for me. I don't use RTV on anything that has gasoline near it, gas will dissolve RTV when it is not dry, I put a gas gauge in with it once and put gas in the tank before it was all dry, wound up plugging the screen on the pick up. Good Luck.

 

I use Indian head gasket shellac on paper rtv on cork.

 

Don't Like RTV. Prefer the old non-hardening Permatex when necessary. Or their spray-on red gasket seal.

Old timers use to use a smear of grease. Holds the gasket while installling, and allows it to settle in when tightened - kind like o-ring lube.

 

Look into a product called "the right stuff" (a Permatex product?) that looks and applies like RTV, but is far superior. Just a very thin smear would work well to keep gaskets from weeping over time.
This is my main go-to sealant.
-Donny

 

I use #2 non-hardening Permatex also. The Right Stuff is good we used it at work. Some truck manufacturers require it on some repairs.

 

I use non-hardening permatex on both sides...never had a problem.

 

I use Right Stuff too. I think it is way better than RTV. I hate silicone caulks

 

I like The Right Stuff but hate the cheese can it comes in. The nozzle dries out on me. I use RTV Ultra Black in the squeeze tube. It's about the same as The Right Stuff and cleans off easy down the road. Doesn't clean off your skin easy though.
I use Permanex Aviation Sealer on some things like soft plugs but otherwise I don't. To hard to clean that stuff off down the road if need be.