Anybody have any expierence with just using sealants like 'the right stuff' on items like water pumps and thermostat housings instead of gaskets. I know the new vehicles use just sealants even for intake manifolds and stuff and I was wondering if I could use it on my water pump. Any recommendations on the sealant to use or not to use would be appreciated.
Make it I have not priced that gasket...and I know nothing of the modern sealants...so... In the old days we used to make our own gaskets...lots of times it was handy, faster, cheaper, and just got it done. Sometimes getting it done also used a whole gob of Permatex with it! We would say...take that water pump and get some gasket material and cut a piece to put over it. Then, slowly and patiently take a body hammer or other such thing and start tapping and tapping. Start with the bolt holes so it is easier to line up if you move it. Wala!!! within a few...you have a perfect gasket..and of the thickness and material that you want. Oh, now the bad...do not try this trick with gasket material that you have had rolled up and sitting in your garage for 40 years....that stuff just shatters apart trying to unroll it! (Ha, Ha) rod
#2 Permatex and a gasket! Yeah, the gasket for the thermostat housing is like less than $2 bucks but both local flaps don't stock it and they want $10 shipping to order it. What a bunch of Cr*Pola. I can make it myself as you suggest. I was just ordering some other gaskets and thought why do that if I can just get some of the Right Stuff sealant and use that instead of having to cut out a new gasket. Back to the old way of doing things which is probably best anyway, Thanks for the tip.
The right goo New vehicles sealing surfaces are machined to better tolerances than our cave-man tech trucks. Use a gasket WITH sealer.
Good Ol #2 Permatex Yeah, Old trucks leak that's all there is to it. Just have to use good gaskets and a little old permatex. I was just hoping for any easy technique instead of making gaskets.
Sealants I was going to make some snide comment about it doesn't HAVE to leak then I remembered my old Met is parked outside over cardboard..... . Sealants are O.K. but they must be used in moderation , NOT globbed on as that creates little ' dingle balls ' of excess sealant that gets into places it shouldn't and can wreck your engine quickly . GM tired the gasketless engines a while back , they were fine for 40,000 miles or so then leaked worse than pre war Harleys . Making your one water outlet gasket is easy and confidence building too ~ use some old thin cardboard like an oil filter box , cereal box or whatever , use a ball peen hammer , expect to toss out the first couple . Smear the thinnest coating of sealant you can on both sides and button 'er up . I bought some cool red silicone gaskets from a place in Tenn. that makes them for all manner of engines , I plan to glue those suckers into place with The Right Stuff on BOTH SIDES as I re seal the engine then run it hard a few years and it begins to dribble again , pi$$ing me off badly . Adding a good PCV system also slows down if not halts oil leaks .
Sealed Up Okay, I'll pound out some new gaskets and seal it up like the old days and ignore all the new sealant stuff.
Sealing I suggested you try Permatex " The Right Stuff " as once you do , you'll use it often and never suffer weeps & seeps again .
Right stuff Okay Nate, Wih or without the paper gaskets? I'm used to the old school, permatex #2 on both side of the paper and slap it together. So is this the new school just moving up to the right stuff and do like before.
Use the gasket with a skim coat of The Right Stuff . It can be used to form a gasket , I don't like to do that unless I absolutely have to .
