Vader GT

Hey guys I've done a search but can't find much. I've also looked on youtube for videos of water pump replacement. I recently got a replacement pump for my 90 as my old one had started to leak. Long story short I put the new one on & it leaks. So needless to say a little frustrated. I've removed all items again & will give it another try. Here are my questions:

1. Do you guys use RTV on the gasket? A little, a lot?? Do you need it at all.....
2. If you do use rtv, do you apply to all areas?? The pump I got has a gasket, a metal plate & a gasket (see below).

Thanks in advance guys!!! I would hate to have to do the job a 3rd time!!!

This is the pump I got:

http://www.americanmuscle.com/severe...mp-8693v8.html

mongolchuck

I use copper coat on my wp gasket. Helps keep it and place and doesn't squish out like rtv. New and rebuilt water pumps can have a bad seal right out of the box too.

Vader GT

Thanks!! Where do I get copper coat?? Local parts store??

88 orangepeel notch

Any good RTV will work. The most important thing is to have clean, flat surfaces. "CLEAN" being the key word. And don't over tighten.

mjr46

I use ultra black sealer........copper coat while it may work to hold stuff in place it does not and will not fill imperfections in surfaces that are not true and flat, such as pitting areas that are often common on the timing cover surface, make sure that's not the case for you.

Vader GT

Thanks for all the feedback guys!! I called Fel Pro today as I ordered a set of new gaskets from them. Here is their recommendation:

1. wp + gasket + backing plate (so far NO RTV). recommend blue loctite so the bottom reverse bolts do not back out.

2. backing plate (small amount of rtv to hold the gasket in place) + gasket + thin layer of RTV for imperfections/pitting on the timing cover + bolt on to the timing cover. Torque everything to 15lbs.

*When they say small amount, they MEAN minimal, he repeated several times. He said this will lead to success. I will let all know how it goes. Again, the above is the recommendation from the tech dept at Fel Pro which is pretty much inline with the feedback you guys gave me. Thank you!!!!

mjr46

I seal any side that has a gasket.....far to many times it leaks even though fel-pro says it's not needed........seen to many china surfaces not machined properly, fel-pro sells gaskets not the hard parts that go on the car thus they can't extend the gaurantees they claim too.

Vader GT

Fair enough, point taken.

dawson1112

Ive used Ultra black on parts for ever and it works great. Ive even installed timing covers and water pumps using only ultra black with no gasket at all. It just simply works!

Derf00

^^^This. I too use gasket sealer (black or copper) wherever there is a gasket coming into contact with another surface.


You have to remember that the manufacturer only looks at their applications in a controlled environment under ideal conditions (matched surfaces, lab room clean/dry, etc) not the real world where there may be mismatched or dirty surfaces. The gasket does not do a good job of resolving those real world problems/challenges.

The only exception are the neoprene gaskets that are used on newer cars. If it's a composite type gasket like used with valve covers, I will still use RTV.