Got a new water pump painted and ready to go... cleaned the timing chain cover and applied POR-15. Besides the gasket, what' makes a good seal for the water pump? Permatex, RTV, etc... suggestions welcome!

 

I used this in conjunction with the gasket when I installed my water pump a couple of months ago. Made sure contact surface was clean applied the form-a-gasket to both surfaces. Maybe overkill, but I did not feel like doing it again.

I have used this on a few other projects and I have not had a leak.

d1

 

I actually used the copper spray when I did the water pump on mine last month. I had it handy and it seems to have worked well.

 

Yeah, I definetely don't want to have to tear it down again!

 

^^^^^why? its so fun puting a timing chain cover on with out pulling the motor. what a PITA!!!!

 

That's why I used POR-15 on the old timing cover and will save my new one for the rebuild later on.

 

I use Indian Head gasket sealer on my water pump

 

I loved that aviation sealer... My dad had left a 4oz can in the garage in the late 60's. I found it tater on in and was using it the mid-late 80s for motorcycle and go-kart engines - great stuff!
It finally went bad in the mid 90's.
I got the 2B gasket sealer in a tube and it separated in just a few years.
I bought some more and it is separating again after about 3 years.

What is the main difference between those other than shelf life?
I will spring for the aviation stuff next time. MAybe it will make my cars fly, too.

Most permatex sealants are alcohol based, so alcohol is best for cleaning surfaces. I went overboard on surface preps too and did NOT use too much sealer. Better to be safe than redoing a waterpump replacement. What a pita it is...

I accidently used too much sealer on a water outlet on my old Ford. When I torqued the bolts, the housing warped. By the time the excess sealer was mushed out enough, the bolts were loose again and it weeps slightly under pressure.
Torquing the bolts did not help as the housing was now warped.
So now I must redo it come fall. I learned NEVER to install stuff in the (near) dark...

By what has been said so far, most of the Permatex stuff is good. The Indian Head shellac was said to be their original - sounds like it dates back a LONG way! Must be good stuff to be sold this long.

 

One of the problems with the timing chain cover is the self taping screws that hold the water pump to it. I ended up getting a new one through Year one. the problem is finding the self tapping screws they made to attach the waterpump to it. Anothe option is to weld nuts behind the holes on the timing chain cover so you can have some thread to hold onto when you put the water pump on. On the original one I took off all a lot of the holes were stripped off. The new one I tapped with a fine thread tap and used fine thread bolts. It worked luckily as I was able to get proper torque. I think tacking a fine thread nut on the inside is the way to go.

 

I use a film of ultra black (or you can use gray or copper colored) RTV on both sides of the gasket. I have found enough of the 1/4 x 20 thread bolts in junkyard engines; if you weld on nuts be sure they clear everything inside and are welded thoroughly. I also have (for 37 years) sawed the cover in two at the upper 2 holes for the 3/8 x 16 bolts and seal the slit with RTV. I use a punch to dimple the oil slinger in line with the timing mark on the crank gear. That way I can change the camshaft without disturbing the harmonic damper or oil pan seal.