What do you use? (gaskets)

[TDCRacing]

Last time I had the motor apart I replaced the oil pan gasket and a cupple of others. Well they all seemed to leak when I was done. I used no RTV with the gaskets. I tightened everything down to specs preped and cleaned the surfaces ect. Still leaked.


The biggest leak was at the oil pan. But also the Front cover. That's pretty much the main two gaskets that were replaced that had to do with oil.




So what have you guys used when doing this?

Just gaskets?

Gaskets and a little RTV?

Just RTV on some surfaces and no gasket?

[SyntheticShield]

If Im not badly mistaken, I believe that GR8Racingfool or someone said there is a TSB regarding the oil pan gasket in that it needed RTV with the gasket in order to seal correctly. Past that Im not sure.

Im curious as to where your leaks were at since I'll be at this point before long?

[TDCRacing]

Updated first post Syn.



Don't you hate it when you have that annoying small oil leak...Then you have to pull the engine. So you say to you''re self well this is a perfect time to replace the gaskets to ensure that everything is leak free. You do so. Then come to find out that the leaks are still there.


I just don't want it to happen again.

[Bio248]

oil pan gasket gets sealed with some RTV and the front cover does too. i put a single bead all the way around with my oil pan gasket. the front cover just gets it in the two cornors where the gaskets meet.

mine doesnt leak at all.

[TDCRacing]

So i'm assuming you put RTV on the top and bottom of the gasket that way it will seal on both the block and the pan?

[Bio248]

yop.

[Abrasive]

When I replaced my oil pan, I used no RTV. However, where the front and rear covers meet the block, they have a little tiny space where they come together. So, just 4 little goops of GM Engine Sealant on those joints. Torqued to specs and not a single sign of an oil leak.

[Bio248]

maybe that's how i did it? where is it leaking from? the oil pan or the front cover? how about the joint between the oil pan and the front cover?

[TDCRacing]

I used the rtv in those trouble spots. Still leaked. I will update more once the engine is out. That way i can see EXACTLY where the leaks are comming from.

[GR8racingfool]

oil pan gasket gets sealed with some RTV and the front cover does too. i put a single bead all the way around with my oil pan gasket. the front cover just gets it in the two cornors where the gaskets meet.

mine doesnt leak at all.

Yup.

I have installed them dry before in the beginning on a fresh engine build before I heard that GM had this service bulletin and this is how the service techs were fixing GM's bo-bo at the dealerships with them originally installing them dry at the plant. As long as everything is VERY clean and degreased, you can get a good seal. But later down the road...it will start seeping, then its all over.

When I do them now, both sides of the gasket get RTV gasket maker. I use the "Ultra Gray" RTV my Permetex on all my engines. Only other color I use is the copper, high temp. stuff for exhaust doughnut gaskets on headers. Front and the rear cover gets a little dab in the lower corner where it meets the oil pan and the main bearing cap. There are a lot of other places that need attention of some RTV on a build, but we will save that for another post.

Hope that helps.

~F~

[Bio248]

i knew i was right the first time. i just forget what ive all dont to my car because i do too many drugs.