Cascade Crew

91camaro_rs · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject: views on RTV

so before i go putting all this stuff on my 305, i was wondering about RTV, i have used it on my 3.1L for a few things, so what do you guys think about it? should i just use dry gaskets? or use gaskets with RTV on them?

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject:

Depends on how pitted the surfaces are in my experience. Big difference between sealing a 15 year old aluminum part and a 45 year old cast iron one.

Always use it on china walls though. Cork gaskets there are just asking for trouble.

91camaro_rs · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:10 pm Post subject:

the surfaces are actually really clean, i was suprised, so i should put RTV on the cork gasket? (only cork gasket is the valve cover, and front/rear of the intake manifold)

so it wouldnt hurt to use it on all the gaskets then?

redlava · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:11 pm Post subject:

I use it on everything except head and exhaust gaskets. I usually use it on both sides on the gasket, really helps keep it in place. I dont get why some people don't like it, it's pretty easy to get off.

edit: BTW i noticed you were thinking about using it on you valve cover gasket. Just rtv the cork gasket to the valve cover. That way when you remove the cover later the gasket comes with the valve cover.

91camaro_rs · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:13 pm Post subject:

ok cool, i was gonna use it but i just wanted to double check to see if there was any reason i shouldnt do it.

any recommendation on the type, i know there is like 6 or so different colors/types? i used the blue stuff on my V6

redlava · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject:

I usually get the black color lock tight brand. The black lock tight does not have the stink to it as the other colors/different brands do it is odorless.

91camaro_rs · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:22 pm Post subject:

black would make sense, considering i just painted the motor black Laughing

cool, thanks for the help, ill grab some tomorrow and start puttin my new stuff on

iansane · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:23 pm Post subject:

I like 'The Right Stuff' in the easy cheese can.

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject:

The cork gasket for the china wall go in the garbage. I stick them inside the lid of my toolbox next to the Summit stickers. Wink

Cork gaskets on valve covers are crap IMHO. I've heard of guys using Vaseline on them to keep them from crapping out. Personally I put the cork valve cover gaskets with the cork china wall gaskets, and spend the $30 on a good rubber set.

Blue is sensor safe. Red is high temp. Copper is really high temp. Black is for oil. I use "Right Stuff" for the china wall gaskets, and keep a tube of Ultra Red and Ultra Black handy for holding gaskets in place, or smoothing pitted stuff.

I ran copper RTV on the headers in the Monte, and it's been good so far.

Spikeophant · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:47 am Post subject:

wtf is a china wall? Is that slang for some engine part?

91RSVert · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:02 am Post subject:

Spikeophant · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:04 am Post subject:

Oooh, the intake valley. Gotcha. I was pretty confused there. Never heard that one before.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:20 am Post subject:

RTV ONLY on the China wall and gap between head/block/intake gasket.

On Rear Main Oil Seal Joints.

ON Timing Cover/Block/Pan JOINT.

RTV has no place on a gasket. Only Joints. Unless specifically called for by the part or manufacturer.

So NO NO NO RTV on the water pump,
NO RTV on the thermostat housing,
NO RTV on the throttle body,
NO RTV on the intake gasket itself,
NO RTV on the exhaust gaskets,
NO RTV on the head gaskets,
NO RTV on the oil pan,
NO RTV on the valve cover.

When used on gaskets, especially cork, the gaskets like to mush out and NOT stay in place and NOT seal very well.

If you need a gasket to stay in place for some strange reason.... Rolling Eyes

By not over indulging in the fetish of noob RTVism: your gaskets will seal better, last longer, come off easier, and your pocket book and environment will thank you.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:27 am Post subject:

Do intake like this:

chevymad · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject:

Hehee.. was waiting for Pauls reply. For the most part I totally agree with him. Rtv is only for joints between gaskets, replacing a gasket entirely, or somewhere where the original surface is pitted extremely. Otherwise it just acts like a lubricant and the gaskets will push out at some point. Gaskacinch is the answer for getting them to stay in place too.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:00 am Post subject:

Why don't you tell us how you really feel, Paul. Laughing

Gaskets work great when you got nice new parts like that, but when you've got ancient cast coming out of the solvent tank and it looks like the surface of pluto, it's your best friend for that side of the gasket. Razz

Or when you're changing a water pump in the parking lot of Olive Garden at midnight on valentines day, and you've got no gasket at all. Shocked

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject:

[quote="chevymad"]replacing a gasket entirely quote]