[Shop-talk] Using RTV gasket maker

[Bob Spidell]

Hoo boy ... right up there with 'which tires' and 'which oil.'

For me; depends on the application. On paper gaskets, I like Permatex 
'Aviation Form-A-Gasket #3,' as it cures to a glaze, which is easy to 
remove, and it's less likely to drop a glob in your oil passageways. I 
use blue RTV on valve cover gaskets, though, but I'm careful to use a 
thin bead which shouldn't spread wider than the gasket (I glue the 
gasket to the cover with 3M Upholstery Adhesive--aka 'yellow snot'). For 
metal-to-metal applications, I like Permatex Black Silicone 
Sealant/Adhesive (note if it says 'adhesive' it may be harder to 
separate parts in the future). I used this to seal the brake ring to 
output housing--no gasket required/shouldn't be used--on an overdrive 
and no leaks yet. Permatex 'Right Stuff' is a great sealant and a strong 
adhesive; it or something similar is used in place of gaskets in modern 
cars. It's not meant for easy removal (in fact, it's a bitch).

Timely comment; I just pulled the rear hubs on my BN2 because of leaky 
seals, and found some grit on the backside of the seals (no idea how it 
got there). I think I'll use the black stuff between the brake backing 
plate and the axle bracket--metal-to-metal--to try to prevent that in 
the future.

Bob

On 12/20/2020 8:05 PM, Robert Nogueirao wrote:
> Seems like every video of someone working on an engine has them using RTV gasket maker with a paper gasket, yet buried in the manufactures literature it specifically says not to use it to hold a paper gasket in place.
> I’ll admit I’ve done it and haven’t had any problems.
> What says the group, what do you use on gaskets?
> Bob Nogueira
>
> PS: and yes I’m aware of the “ globs” problem of fouling the oil pump screen. I use a thin coat placed closer to the outside edge.
>
>
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