Sealant for WaterPump to Heater Tube gasket?

[RRoller123]

What do you folks use for sealing the gasket where the heater tube (that runs back along the side of the block) meets the water pump? I assume that it is not left dry. I have used ancient technology gasket cement up at the "T", but probably should check with you to see if science has moved forward at all in the last 3 decades.... There is a gasket at the W/P to Tube connection of course. Any particular sealant or gasket cement? Thanks.

Pete

[80spiddy]

Nothing special. Just use rtv sealant or the like from ancient times!

[RRoller123]

That's what I figgered. Thanks, I will look into RTV. I have used the goopy old nuclear hardened red gummy crap for ~3 decades, time to try something new.

[lglade]

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[lglade]

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[TX82FIAT]

I make my own gaskets from the normal gasket paper you get at autozone and then put a small amount of RTV on each side. just enough to coat the paper and create minimal is any squish when your tighten down.

[RRoller123]

Thanks!

[manoa matt]

The mounting flange is notorious for warping from over tightening the mounting stud nuts. It weeps, people tighten it thinking it will stop, but it makes it worse. Before re-attaching it, check it for flatness, give it a few taps if its way out, then lap the surface on a piece of glass with wet sandpaper until its uniformly flat.

[RRoller123]

That explains why the nuts seemed to be so loose when I removed them! And it hasn't leaked that I can tell. Someone must have owned this car who (unlike me) knew ahead of time what they were doing!

[vandor]

Gaskets do not need any type of sealant. The gasket's job is to seal.

I often have to file that flange flat. In bad cases the ears may have to be bent back first.

[KevAndAndi]

I soaked my new gasket in coolant and then installed it...well, not "dry", but without sealant. It has not leaked in the slightest. To keep it that way, though, I'd like to put a hanger on the heater pipe, as it was missing. Mark said here that he plans to offer a heater pipe hanger. I tried fabricating one a few days ago with not much success.