Best gasket sealer for old water pumps?

Putting a new water pump on the Bonney and need to know what is the best gasket sealer to use. I want something I can use right away and that seals up less than perfect surface.

 

I have been converted to use 3M super weather strip adhesive on damn near everything!! I almost refuse to even let RTV into my garage anymore.. However if you are trying to seal up a thick gap, you might look for something else.

 

I use silly cones !! LOL Old fashioned Indian Head gasket shaliac works good . But silicone sealers also work good and will be well on the way to be set up time you are done putting everything to gather. Yellow or black gorilla snot [3 M weatherstrip glue] will work OK but can be a bitch the next time you do the job.

 

3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200, it's white but looking to see if they make it in black. They say it's fast cure but leave it alone for 24 hr's.
Used to be able to go to your local Dodge dealer and get what was called Dodge Mopar Black sealer, best I have ever used. Now they say they have the same thing but not the same name for trans and again for rears....

 

The gasket is supposed to take care of most irregularities so contact cement to hold the gasket in place is usually the only thing necessary. If the gasket surface is heavily pitted, then some black silicone can help as long as it is applied like you are buttering your morning toast and not like applying toothpaste to your brush.

 

Might try flat filing the offending surface, usually a good idea, anyway. Glue the gasket to the pump with contact cement(3M super is the same product) then use RTV on the block. Fills minor imperfections yet still comes apart that way. LEE

 

I like ol' Permatex #2

 

For stuff like water pumps, fuel pumps, valve covers, I use high-temp bearing grease. There's very little pressure to seal against and you don't get dried off drips of silicone or gasket sealer plugging up your passages. Any extra grease just melts away and it's sticky enough to hold gaskets in place while you assemble.

For an imperfect surface instead of a flat file, I use a knife sharping stone, one that's... I dunno kno, 2" x 6" in size and smooth out any rough metal surfaces. For imperfect surfaces, Permatex #2 non-hardening fills the gaps quite well.

good luck,

 

i like the orange stuff

 

The old fashioned Permatex #2 "non-hardening" black sealant works great with gaskets. It won't fill up huge voids, but a little roughness is okay. Use good "fel-pro" or other good brand gaskets. Sometimes the paper gaskets that come free with a new water pump or thermostat housing are total junk and they leak through the paper because they use the wrong type of paper to make the gaskets out of. I also use the Permatex #2 on threads, like the threads of cylinder head bolts that go into water jackets.

Silicones usually work okay when people use them right. I think when silicones don't work is when people try to use them to seal against oily, dirty parts. You need to scrape all the old crap clean and wipe the surfaces well with acetone or lacquer thinner to get them really clean if you're going to have good luck with silicone, otherwise you won't get good adhesion. Also there are lots of different silicone RTVs, so use one that's appropriate for what you're doing. I think permatex makes a silicone that's made specifically for water pumps and thermostat housings, and it looks sort of a charcoal grey color.

My first choice for water pumps is the Permatex #2 non-hardening sealant unless I need to fill a really big gap.

 

Ultra Black (Silicone), I think Permatex makes it.

 

Most any gasket sealer you can get at the parts store will work fine. The trick is to make sure everything is CLEAN, staright/flat, and as pit free as possible. I like Permatex #2 or black silcone. You also don't need to go wild when you apply it. A small bead is more than enough.

 

Hylomar is what I've used. Specifically lists Water pumps on the package. Permatex #2 would be my #2 choice.

 

I have been a marine technician for many years now and one of the best gasket sealers hands down is made by omc (johnson, evinrude, bombardier) this comes in a brushable can and is wonderful. Non hardening and is used on waterpumps and to seal gear cases that stay under water. Try it once and you will love it.

Jon

 

NAPA has something called the "Right Stuff" that my buddies swear by,...I"ve never used it yet.

 

Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket Liquid Sealant.
Brush it onto both sides of your gasket, torque up your pump and forget about it.
It seals, is ok with heat,fuel and coolant(anti- freeze), isn't brightly coloured and best of all can easily be removed next time the pump comes off.

 

Over the years I've used damn near everything out there as far as sealers go...RTV has its uses but as stated above, the parts need to be clean and dry for best results. I have a tendency to go back to my training as a young lad and use the old faithful #2 Permatex. I also use #3 Aviation Permatex.The stuff hasn't let me down yet.

 

Permatex #2 is great stuff. I love it.

 

Thanks guys, this thread is a great help.

 

Permatex #2 gets my vote also. Nice and tacky right from the start and no set up time.

 

It don't get no better than this !

 

IMHO the best choice is "Indian Head" gasket sealer/ cement. It has been around since the '50s and is currently a Permatex product. The stuff works very well with paper gaskets.

N B R

 

Since the '20s actually. That stuff was what made permatex famous. It's also great stuff.

 

I always use Hylomar. You can use it right away, and it seals very well! Rolls Royce use/used it.

 

I like permatex aviation gasket sealer. Never had a leak with this. It might be the same as #2? Tacky and stays tacky but doesnt look out of place like silicone. Put a very thin coat on the gasket .