Martin6107

I’ve been searching and not found any information on this topic. So I am hoping to get recommendations from others that have rebuilt a 4.6 Cobra engine.

I’m in the process of rebuilding the engine in a 96 Cobra. The block and heads should be ready by the end of this month. While the machine shop is finishing their work, I’m reviewing the Haynes and Ford assembly procedures to make sure that I have all the replacement parts, gaskets, and whatnot ready to go.

When I tore down the block I remember noticing that the main cap side bolts appeared to have been sealed to the block with black RTV. Neither the Ford nor Haynes repair guides mention the use of sealant on these bolts during reassembly; both manuals simply say to install/torque jack screws then install/torque main cap side bolts (after all the other main cap installation steps are done of course).

Is it advantageous to use a dab of black RTV on the main cap side bolts during installation? It seems more likely that sealant would help keep junk from seeping in behind the side bolts rather than keeping oil from leaking out.

cliffyk

I do not see that it could hurt anything, other than that a bolt with uncured RTV sealant on it is for all practical purposes a "lubricated" fastener, which affects torque measurement/requirements.

As the shop manual does call for a procedural staged tightening of the cross bolts, and does not call for any sealant or other lubricant, I would be inclined to assemble them "dry"...

Martin6107

Thanks Cliff. I usually avoid the temptation to use sealants unless a repair manual or service bulletin calls for it. I’ll put the new bolts back in without RTV.