Thread: Paper / Cork Gaskets - what do you add to stop the leaks

Hylomar #3 or similar.

power steering box is always a reseal and shaft sleeve or replacemetn if needed.

An RTV silicone. a bead on the easy to remove and clean part and a light smear of oil or vaseline on the fixed bit so the assembly will come apart later if (when?) needed.

Blknight and Bigbjorn

Is that with or without the gaskets??

Thanks

Baggy

Recommended or not, application of a light smear of Permatex aviation gasket maker seems to make all the difference. It is a lot thinner than most sealants and can be brushed on easily. Best to wear latex gloves - it is messy

I like to use gaskets. Using a hylomar or equivalent spray to help adhere. I have also used Loctite #3 (aviation gasket, non-hardening) before as well, mostly for water related gaskets.

In the past I have used Loctite 515 or superblue/RTV red/Silver Maxx, but they look unsightly and don't always seal properly if the surface isnt clean. Also there is the risk of tolerances being wrong (not always I know) and the gaskets help prevent that.

I have noticed since using the correct gaskets that my leaks have stayed away - for now - we all know the RRC needs at least 7 leaks to operate correctly.

Also as suggested, the power steering pump will need a reseal/sleeve or replacement. In a time of need I managed to get all the seals and o-rings from CBC.

I use different stuff...
Loctite 518 on clean surfaces - neoprene gaskets. Also threebond 1104 and 1215 for metal to metal, depending on where (oil/fluid or not) e.g. gearbox / diff / axle flanges.

on paper gaskets I use both permatex Indian Head gasket shellac compount and aviation form-a-gasket sealant #3.

Main point about any gasket, is that unless you are making sure the mating faces are thoroughly cleaned with acetone / thinners / prepsol / brakeleen, then you are basically completely wasting your time.

If you can't get it completely clean, then expect it to leak.

While modern sealants do work well, they only work well if the surface is absolutely free of any oil / fluid contamination.
It's pretty much just personal preference, but in my own experience the threebond is the strongest and most oiltight, -if- the surfaces are clean.

I still prefer to use 518 on my rocker cover gaskets, most recently it also worked well on my water pump in the rrc without a gasket - I had no paper gasket and my tube of threebond had gone walkabout and I did not feel like opening a huge tube of RTV just for one tiny job.

Just don't overdo it, whatever you use. Keep sealant well and truly out of coolant passages and oil galleries.

RTV types are generally better for oil, avation type generally better where there is a paper gasket.

a cork/rubber gasket is not my idea of sealing anything. reminds me of the stupid holden 6 lifter bore covers.

You're better off using a compound like master gasket on the LT230 cover if you don't have a paper gasket.

On the sump - totally up to you. If you want to use a gasket, then remember if you do use an RTV sealant it will be a pita to remove the sump gasket later. It will also be a pita to remove the RTV if you just use that instead of a gasket.

You have many choices, most will work, but again, only if that mating surface is absolutely spotless.