Rear main side seals

[usetaboost]

I pumped the sides of the cap with right stuff and used the pins and side gaskets. THen I ran a bead of right stuff on the outside of cap. Doesn't leak a drop or even get damp. Now if I could just get those pesky valve covers to seal

 

[TurboDave]

Where your yellow mark is--I do that whole area up to where the red is---do your yellow mark on over to the vertical sides and on out to end of block.---- Very important!!!!--only a paper thin coat--you only want to fill any voids---as someone already mentioned and I forgot--coat the side seal with sealant. If you do as we have talked about here, I am highly optimestic it will not leak !!!!! Best of luck.--Lee

Thanks Lee. I found some 518 locally. Well, actually it's Permatex's equivalant. Says Anerobic sealer and carries a 518 part number, so I'll use that.
Wonder how that stuff would work on the side seals? Or... I have ultra black and ultra grey(high torque, whatever that is), would they be preferable on the sides?

 

[TurboDave]

I use this stuff often. I do not use a gasket between the turbo and return line and often leave out the plenum gasket in favor of the 518. I use no gasket for the water pump and 518 there also.

Wonder if anybody's ever used 518 on the side seals?

 

[TurboDave]

I pumped the sides of the cap with right stuff and used the pins and side gaskets. THen I ran a bead of right stuff on the outside of cap. Doesn't leak a drop or even get damp. Now if I could just get those pesky valve covers to seal

If you pumped the side cavities full, how in the world did you get the seals and pins crammed down in there????

 

[LOT]

518

Wonder if anybody's ever used 518 on the side seals?

I never thought about using it on the side seals--only down side I see is it is thicker or stringier (can't find the right word) not as slick as sealant and might not allow the side seals to drive in as I would like, Also, as I mentioned before, it is designed for case to case sealing and does not SET up, remains plyable.

 

[TurboDave]

I never thought about using it on the side seals--only down side I see is it is thicker or stringier (can't find the right word) not as slick as sealant and might not allow the side seals to drive in as I would like, Also, as I mentioned before, it is designed for case to case sealing and does not SET up, remains plyable.

Thanks; makes sense.

 

[bison]

Wonder if anybody's ever used 518 on the side seals?

It wont seal gaps. It has to be flat machined surfaces. Probably good at .005 or less. Its anaerobic so if there is open space it wont cure. I use grey rtv in the sides.

 

[bison]

If you pumped the side cavities full, how in the world did you get the seals and pins crammed down in there????

You leave the seals and pins out. GM didnt use them so i dont use them either.

 

[TurboDave]

OK, Lee and Bison, Just so I'm clear and don't screw anything up tomorrow,

The picture I have attached shows some blue and grey.
Is the blue where the anerobic goes?
and the grey where the ultra grey(or whatever ultra) goes up the side seals?

TIA!!!!!

 

[LOT]

almost

Blue area is perfect for the 518
Do not put the gray on the side of block (I'm afraid it would get pushed under the cap)
Put the gray or black in the grooves of the cap--fill half way from block mating area --plus coat the side tabs with same. You got it !!!

 

[TurboDave]

Blue area is perfect for the 518
Do not put the gray on the side of block (I'm afraid it would get pushed under the cap)
Put the gray or black in the grooves of the cap--fill half way from block mating area --plus coat the side tabs with same. You got it !!!

Thanks! we're on the same page. I should have clerified that the gray goes in the grooves and NOT on the block side. My mistake.