Thread: throwing elbows

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

you could by pass the alt bracket by tapping the holes like you said. the aussies have a factory bypass they use iirc.

have you cleaned them holes out real good? 100 grit sand paper can help, mine had some kinda varnish looking crap in them that i had to chip out with a pick, then i sanded smooth. never leaked. also lubed them o rings up before i pushed em in. you also need to make sure the top elbow is square to the bracket and lim as you tighten the alt bracket bolts down.

Aussie bypass? More info please.

I clean them holes out real good every time. Gently. Inspecting with a mirror, cleaning with wire brush on Dremel and patiently scraping away deposits with a wooden tool. I would think that 100 grit on aluminum would knock off enough metal to cause a leak mighty quick

At least the top elbow can be grabbed and wiggled and moved, so it is not binding. Every set of elbows has always sealed when new.

Theres a normal black O ring under the goo. They don't morph states of matter, thats a sealant which scrapes off. It did what it is supposed to do.

Everyone must have missed the part about rattle room. Mine wiggle once installed. But I kept hearing you gotta watch that angle, wiggle going in. Yeah, naw. I ain't quite that green, boys. RTV=solved

I have driven these 3800s over 150K miles now, had the GT ten years and the P for 6. Started out using a thin swipe of RTV and plastic GM elbows and they lasted as good as any. Joined here, started doing the way way way too frequent metal elbow dance sans sealant. I drive junk and issues I have are not believable.