High temp RTV????

[eric783]

do i place the RTV during the head gasket install or do i wait till it cures for 12 hours, wait till it rubberized, then install headgasket and cylinder head. i've read the TSRM and it only says to put it on, nothing about cure times or right then and there install....please help......:1zhelp:

 

[IJ.]

Are you talking about the tiny smear at the Front cover?

 

[eric783]

Are you talking about the tiny smear at the Front cover?

Yes, sir!!!!! the forward end of the cylinder head.

 

[IJ.]

I trim the cover gaskets where they stick up with a sharp scraper then apply the RTV wet then the HG and head.

No real need for high temp RTV there but it won't hurt.

 

[supramacist]

Does any one not think high temp would work on the spark plug galley cover?
Or is that too hot hot hot?

Hate to make a mess. But rtv is less expensive than a new cover and there's nothing wrong with mine other than the rubber seal has deteriorated.

 

[Setheroo]

Does any one not think high temp would work on the spark plug galley cover?
Or is that too hot hot hot?

Hate to make a mess. But rtv is less expensive than a new cover and there's nothing wrong with mine other than the rubber seal has deteriorated.

I believe that RTV can work wonders. If you still have the original seal I believe that the RTV will bring it back to life somewhat. It won't be as good as a new seal, but it will surely be better than no seal.

Not to thread-jack, but I have a small question:
Say someone forgot to apply the RTV at the front of the head while fixing their BHG.. what would be the consequences of that?

Because ummm, I admit to being that someone.

I have a decent sized leak from the front of my engine and for a long time now I haven't been able to really spot where it is leaking from. My thoughts have been that it is leaking from the waterpump, but I am thinking now that it could be leaking from where I was supposed to apply that RTV..

 

[supramacist]

Hmmm. I would think you would have to be sloshing about at some serious rpm's to get it to leak from that spot. But I'm not sure and don't quote me.

 

[cuel]

Seth: Yup, it'll leak there. I did the same thing....

As to the valve cover gasket: Go to the local parts store and get Felpro's. Work just as good as the ones from the dealer, and cheaper. The only place it needs to have rtv are the corners where the v.c. goes over the cam caps. Just a dab at the bottom of the cap on each side. If you use the old gaskets, and try to seal it by smearing rtv on the entire gasket, all your gonna do is make a mess, and it'll still leak.

 

[Setheroo]

Seth: Yup, it'll leak there. I did the same thing....

And let me guess.. the only way to fix that leak is to yank the head back off, and reseal everything..

Am I correct? Or is there a trick to get rid of that leak without the pain of disassembling the entire top end all over again?

Eventually I am going to have to fix this problem.. it is best that I start planning now.

Oh and when it leaks from that spot.. is there any possible way for that leaking coolant to get into the oil? Say at like the very bottom of the timing cover at the crank gear for example?

 

[cuel]

Oh, sorry, it'll leak oil there(where the rtv goes). A coolant leak in that area could be the t.stat., the housing that bolts to the block, or the water pump. Best way to test for a coolant leak is a pressure tester. I think the oil pan seals to the bottom of the back timing cover, so, unless it's cracked there, you shouldn't get any coolant in the oil from there.

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

I think there is three different things being discussed here.
#1 Was the original post of RTV to seal the HG at the front cover, IJ covered that.
#2 was the galley cover, using RTV to seal that.I think Seth covered that.
#3 was the valve cover gaskets, cuel covered that with a little in the front corners.

Sheteroo, if you forgot to put a little were the front cover meets the block I think you would be leaking a little oil and it would show up at the very bottom of the front cover behind the crank pulley. I don't think you would get any coolant there unless the HG was leaking or possibly the water pump leaking and showing up there. If you look at the block in the front at that area there is if I remember at least 1 oil return hole maybe 2 that comes from the head and if you don't use the RTV it will leak into the front cover.