Do I need to put any kind of sealant on the gaskets or just install dry?.... I put them on dry, but now I'm wondering if that was right. I'm sure there are remnants of the old gasket still on. It was baked on something fierce,

Thanks,

Michael

 

You put dry gaskets on a mating surface with old gasket material? Not a good thing.

Those waterpump gaskets are less than 1/2" wide at the widest spot, and you do NOT want them to leak. A wire wheel and some gasket remover should make quick work of the old gasket. It MAY be ok for now, but you're probably going to end up with it leaking farther down the road.

I used RTV the first time, and spray gasket the second time. No leaks.

 

"gasket remover"??? I looked all over the auto parts place and found no such product. I tried WD-40 and a gasket scraper, and NO WAY was I getting it all off without slicing myself open in the process.

Should I pull the paper gaskets and just make a bead of RTV instead?

Which type of RTV? I haven't put the car back together, so pulling the pump now will be very easy.

Thanks!

-Michael

 

definately throw some RTV on that bad boy. Ultra Copper is the best.

 

Permatex item number 80646. It should be readily available at all parts stores. I got mine at a local Autozone. I'd definitely pull them and put a bead of RTV on both sides of the gasket. Good luck!

 

Should I use RTV instead-of gaskets or in addition to?

Thanks!

-Michael

 

Using a razor blade I haven't had any problems getting old gasket material off anywhere, even the deck surface of the block. If you don't feel comfortable that you got it all put a small application of RTV on each side of the gasket you are going to use.

 

Get a razor blade and scrape it off. It isn't tough to do. Use RTV (I used a thin layer of water pump sealer by permatex - Gray) in addition to the gaskets. No leaks ever.

 

i know what u mean the gasket crap is a biotch to get off.i ended up using a a small air stone i think.it even polished it up a bit.yea try a wire wheel if u cant get an air stone

 

When I did my waterpump, it was a razor blade and needle-nose vice grips to handle the razor blade. It worked and I was done in under 5 minutes.

 

It`s VERY important to get any surface that you are going to be using a gasket on very clean and very dry. It`s worth the extra effort and time to do it right.

Kevin

 

I have put the gaskets on dry in the past with no problems. The only reason I use RTV now is to help hold them onto the pump when installing it.