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What’s The Secret.... To The V6 Thermostat Gasket?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Buildflycrash, Feb 3, 2021.

  1. Feb 3, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    I’ve had it in once so it didn’t leak but not this time or any other time I’ve installed it. I know you must disconnect the hoses or it will never go together right. But darn it why did they make that vertical instead of horizontal? I’ve tried it with no sealant, with little sealant and I’ve tried with sealant on everything.

    What’s the secret?
     
  2. Feb 3, 2021
    hooliganrick

    hooliganrick Sponsor

    San Diego, CA
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    Apr 14, 2012
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    172
    I start with a clean dry surface....then I seal both sides of the gasket....seal the threads of the bolts....and then I let it sit for a day....I don't touch it....I don't look at it....works every time.
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  3. Feb 3, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    I am with Rick...haven't had any issue with mine....now the timing cover is another story.
     
  4. Feb 3, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Conquered this. No gasket, 1 minute black rtv , bolt threads too, finger tight. Torque up next day worked for me. Now my oil pan....
     
  5. Feb 4, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Maybe my thermostat is in good and I didn’t seal the bolts.
    I’m going to remove them, one at a time and put some RTV on them.
    I’ve read this “next day” a couple times, why do you torque the next day? What other parts do y’all torque the next day?
     
  6. Feb 4, 2021
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Oct 25, 2006
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    5,798
    The thermostat housing gets pinholes in it. It can look like sth gasket is leaking but its the housing that's gone bad. If its good, what Rich said.
     
    Buildflycrash likes this.
  7. Feb 4, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Make sure the housing is flat...sand the gasket surface on a piece of glass or other straight surface.
     
  8. Feb 4, 2021
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
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    Mar 2, 2017
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    683
    I adopted this several years ago too because it made sense. When torqued down wet, you basically squeeze the sealant out. If you finger tighten, let it set up for a couple of hours until the sealant has begun to set-up, torqueing then compresses the sealant for a tight seal as opposed to squeezing it all out of the joint. Similar concept in woodworking/wood glue. If you slather something in wood glue then clamp the fire out of it, it results in a poor joint because the glue gets squeezed out. It needs a layer in there for a good bond and the best way to do that is let it set-up for a bit before applying the torque or pressure. Just my 2 cents, but in real-life practice: So far so good.
     
    John Gedde likes this.
  9. Feb 4, 2021
    John Gedde

    John Gedde Been around the block once or twice...

    Middle Island, NY
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    Oct 23, 2019
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    125
    What Tlm E said... On my Dauntless, I used Indian Head Gasket Shellac. Makes it a bear if you need to work on it again but no leaks on my timing cover or thermostat...

    John
     
  10. Feb 4, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    BTW the replacement housings from Summit, etc suck I sent 2 back and sourced an nos ( cast) on evilbay.
     
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