Overthinking Gaskets…

I am resealing my tranny and TC with gasket sets from Novak. They recommend a thin layer of RTV on each side of the gasket. I have read to tighten it down until a little RTV comes out, let it sit for a few hours, then torque to specs.

If I put RTV on bolts as thread sealer but wait a few hours to torque to specs, isn’t that going to disrupt the RTV seal on the threads of the bolts?

 

Novak knows their stuff, I guess.

But I intensely dislike RTV and I have always found Permatex #2 or their Aviation gasket sealer to to work. Spray on red Permatex is good too, for thin applications

 

Sorry, I was using RTV as a general (and maybe incorrect) term for a gasket making type of product. Novak recommended Right Stuff and Aviation gasket sealer.

But the question is does letting the gasket maker product set for a few hours and then tightening to spec disrupt its function as a thread sealant?

 

Not if you use Permatex #2

 

The products I mentioned are specifically "non-hardening."

RTV is a completely different and more recent product, which I avoid.

 

Put the bolts in dry and then add sealer to the bolts on the final tightening.

 

So put them in dry, tighten until a little permatex squeezes out, let sit for a few hours, remove the bolts, apply thread sealant, and reinsert and torque to spec?

 

Correct. Just don't expect to not have to wipe up a drop here and there.

 

Amen brother..

 

Permatex Right Stuff is awesome. I'm using that instead of RTV.

 

What reviews I'm reading, it is a form of RTV.

 

I typically use a paper gasket smeared with silicone on both sides and stuck to cover then once the skin is dry I'll put it on the mating surface. Light thread locker on the bolts with copper washers or steel if I don't have copper and a lock washer.

Mine dribbles here and there but I can get back into it tomorrow to fix it.

I think a lot of people simply overtighten stuff thinking it will seal better but it only pulls threads up and distorts covers. A doggie Training pad under the transfercase for dribbles is like a radio to the random noises.

 

This is what was recommended, and what I used, on my Ford Flathead V8 head studs, which are notorious for being hard to remove.

 

I use ARP thread sealer for the bolts and Permatex #2 for the gaskets. It's always worked fairly well.

https://www.amazon.com/ARP-100-9904-1009904-Thread-Sealer/dp/B000CFQ38G

 

Literally seconds before I posted the same thing!

 

I waited and waited for you... but...

 

Darned west coast time zone I live in!

 

It doesn't feel or act like it.

 

Yes, the reviews sounded that way. Regardless, I'm still wary of the risk of silicone blobs getting free inside an engine.