Engine Rebuild/Overhaul

[vtfiat23]

I am currently in the process of redoing a 2.0l Engine with and 1800 head on it. I am installing all new gaskets. What is your opinion on gasket sealing. Are you guys putting them on dry or using gasket shellac or RTV or some other sealer. Opinions would be greatly appreciated don't want to tear this thing back down after installed into the car

[Nut124]

I use Permatex #2 non-hardening on paper gaskets and cam box gaskets. Nothing on head gasket. Hi-temp RTV on ex manifold gasket, very thinly.

Excess RTV can plug oil passages.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Excess RTV can plug oil passages.

I totally agree. I used to use RTV on the paper gaskets, but after having torn down several engines over the years and finding little bits of blue Permatex in the oil filter screen or lodged in a bearing passageway, I don't use any gasket sealer these days. Every mating surface is polished by hand, check for warpage, use a good gasket, and torque appropriately.

I can't say what is right or wrong with regard to sealer, but the engines that I have rebuilt in the last year or so aren't leaking any oil. It's probably too soon to say for sure, of course. What does often weep is the threaded bolts (studs) that go into the block or head with an open oil area behind them. These would include the forward studs/bolts for both motor mount brackets, the uppermost intake and exhaust studs/bolts, most of the oil flange bolts, and a few others. I use thread sealant on these.

The drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan often leaks with age, and the only cure that I know of is a new oil pan. So I just tighten it really good and live with it. The oil pressure gauge sender and the switch for the low pressure idiot light often leak, but you can get new crush washers for those. If these are leaking from the electrical spade connection (it happens with age), the fix is a new sending unit.

-Bryan