Gasket Sealant

[jeepguy1948]

Is it a good idea to apply sealant to either one or both sides of the water pump gasket? I generally use Permatex High Tack for those types of applications. It helps provide a better seal but it’s a pain to deal with if you ever need to remove the water pump.

[nkaminar]

A thin coat of oil or grease (very thin) will keep any gasket cement from sticking. The gasket cement will still fill in the voids and depressions in the parts.

[Y-Blockhead]

Being a longtime motorcycle mechanic, I tend to use wheel bearing grease or maybe Gasgacinch on paper gaskets if the surfaces are flat.

[jb-ob]

Old mechanic's trick to use grease to hold a gasket in place.

The grease will make a hard paper gasket pliable, possibly sealing better.

Those who insist on using a hard setting sealer, coat only one side. Roadside removal a lot easier without destroying the gasket...hopefully.

[Gary WA]

Indian shellac has been my choice for many years!

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by jeepguy1948

Is it a good idea to apply sealant to either one or both sides of the water pump gasket? I generally use Permatex High Tack for those types of applications. It helps provide a better seal but it’s a pain to deal with if you ever need to remove the water pump.

I tend to use Permatex RTV black, both sides. Thin coat. One side doesn't make sense to me. What if there is a surface anomaly on the side not coated?

[Dodge]

I use a very thin coat of black silicone. Wipe it on with you finger until its very thin.
It seals but makes it easier to take apart. Many times its possible to reuse the gasket with another thin coat.

[old31]

x2 with Kube.

[Big hammer]

WP paper gasket and RTV ??? A belt and suspenders ? If your using RTV because you think the paper gasket won’t seal just X the paper gasket use your RTV . If you think the RTV won’t seal with out the paper gasket X the RTV . If you don’t like thin paper gasket use it to make a gasket out of cereal box cardboard and smear some grease on both sides of the cardboard . If the mating surfaces aren’t flat and smooth all bets are off , use a sealant and a heavy gasket and form a dam outside of the parting surface ( cover the seam with RTV like a bead of weld around the mating surface . And then ask why is it leaking ?? did we forget about the studs or bolts thread could leak ?!

[old ugly]

i use the black Permatex silicone based gasket maker. thin coats both sides of the gasket.

a long time ago my old man would use thick gasket makers , probably same stuff as your Permatex High Tack, that SH*% is the worst to try to clean up, is it actually still available?

[MJRodge]

I tend to use a 'skim' coat of ultra seal RTV , helps seal small imperfections and aids in removal. I also will use a heat gun (or torch) to heat up stubborn parts for removal. Heat is great for removing tin parts that bend easily.

[duke36]

Permeatex makes a specific water pump (grey color) gasket maker which can be used without paper gasket on the upper gooseneck and perhaps a very thin smear onone side of the water pump and side inlet gasket

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by duke36

Permeatex makes a specific water pump (grey color) gasket maker which can be used without paper gasket on the upper gooseneck and perhaps a very thin smear onone side of the water pump and side inlet gasket

I just used some for my thermostat housing. I didn't have a new O ring and used a dab of this as insurance.


The vibration resistance is a + for A owners - Permatex Grey Cut Gasket Coating (Part No. 80013) is a silicone-based, high-torque, and vibration-resistant sealant. It is designed to fortify, extend the life of, and prevent leaks on traditional cut gaskets (such as paper, cork, or composite materials).

[Trapdoor2]

I've been using Hylomar Blue gasket sealer on the coupe. It isn't supposed to set up, therefore easy cleanup. I have used it on carb. gaskets and it made swapping carbs very easy. I also used it on the carbs themselves...both sides of the gasket. The Zenith peeled right apart after three weeks of use.