When I put on my replacement WP do I put any sealant down on the gasket or just use the gasket only. Seems folks have diff opinions on how to do this.
If I do what should I use, and do I put it on both sides of the gasket?

 

Personally, I use RTV on both sides of the gasket, only a little bit, and I make sure to LET IT DRY for a day or so before adding water, if at all possible.

I'm sure others will have their own recommendations.

- Eric

 

This is a bad place for RTV and requiring a day to cure is but one reason.

I recommend gasgacinch, hi-tack spray for quick n easy, or Form A Gasket [***] #2. Permatex Aviation 3H brush-on also is great.

No waiting after install. No strings of goo to come off and go clog the radiator and whatnot.

None of the larger bolts go into the coolant, so do not seal the bolt threads.

Do not over-tighten the 3/8" tool size 1/4" screws to the timing cover- just finger tight snug. The two bottom of these four do go into the crankcase so a smidgen of *** #2 on the threads can't hurt.

 

I usually use a thin coat on both sides of the gasket, like the brush on Permatex. While a completely new installation can use a gasket only successfully, when joining previously used parts, a bit of sealant is a good insurance against a seeping leak. That way, if everything else is done correctly, you'll only have to do the job once.

 

The paper gasket is designed to be installed dry. I use a little Gaskacinch to hold the new gasket to the water pump during installation, but that's all. The only time I have used RTV is when the holes in the front cover are heavily rust pitted and sealing with the paper gasket might be questionable. More recently in those situations, I smooth the surface with a 7" sanding disk prior to installing the pump.