tx65coupe

It appears that the timing chain cover gasket on my 302 needs to be replaced. I've been chasing a mystery coolant leak for a while now. It only leaks when the car is parked for more than a few days and gets worse the colder it is outside. I'm looking for gasket suggestions. I have a Fel Pro and would like to use the best possible gasket, so that I don't have to do it again.

barnett468

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fel pro is it.

Starfury

Fel pro seems to work fine for me. I use a thin smear of black RTV around the cooling ports.

groho

I know there's a handful of bolts that penetrate into the water passages in the later 302, so identify the bolt(s) that do, and use thread sealer. You probably have a bolt that's rusted through and causing the leak.

Starfury

^That is a good point. Any bolt that goes into a coolant passage should get a smear of Permatex #2 (not RTV).

barnett468

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i use permatex black silicone gasket maker on everything.

Starfury

Permatex #2 is designed to seal threads. Unlike RTV, it won't flake off into the coolant passages. Not that this is catastrophic, but I'd rather not have any RTV in my coolant if I can help it. RTV works in that it'll seal, it's just not the "correct" tool for the job.

barnett468

please don't tell me it is that blue cr_p.

the silicone on the threads won't get in the system if it is not put on the end of the bolt . . if a thin layer is put on the threads, most of it will actually be wiped off the threads as the bolt is screwed in . . this creates a bead of silicone around the outer edge which aids in sealing.

it is probably just as good to use aviation sealer on the threads.
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Starfury

No, #2 is a greenish, goopy compound that doesn't harden. Comes in a small squeeze tube. It's similar to aviation sealant, but more messy.

barnett468

xlnt, thanks for the info.