water pump and timing cover gasket advice, 3.0 99

[ranger_lover]

hello all and thanks for your time. I am in the process of replacing my timing cover on a 99 ranger 3.0 and needed some advice on proper gasket installation. I have everything down to bare metal and let me first say I am not replacing because of coolant/oil leak mixing, its rather a strange reason. one of the bolt holes on the cover for holding oil pan in place was incorrectly placed causing, when installing the oil pan, a crimp and therefor oil leak and so on. the gasket did have a coolant leak but top of motor, which I will show why. so on to my long explained question.

have the water pump and timing cover off. about ready for installation but have read mixed reviews on how to properly adhere the water pump or timing cover gaskets. most I have read say using RTV sealant, not silicone gasket maker, is the best way. and also to give it correct time to cure or set. also most say its best using it on the part side, not the side towards the engine, although I will need to around the coolant ducts on the cover because of pitting around that area on the block. haven't seen any suggested threads covering this as I am sure others have had the problem.

anyway that's my question, what in your experience replacing water pumps/timing covers would you or have you used and not had any problems? I think I like what I read somewhere about using a gasket sealant that does not harden. most times I have just put paper gasket to metal and let heat bond it, but think I need more this time which you will see. thanks for your time and hope to hear some replies

 

[adsm08]

I run a bead of sealer on the cover, lay the gasket on that, then put another bead down on the gasket and install.

You are correct you want to use gasket sealer, not gasket maker. Gasket maker is for when you have no gasket.

 

[ranger_lover]

good advice and thanks for the info but if I might ask, what sealer would you suggest? there are so many different brands and actually some silicone based sealers. I have a lot of mechanical knowledge but am learning new proper techniques for correct installation. and the pits around the coolant ducts, sealant will work for that to? last question, cleanup on RTV sealant, is it easier that cleanup on gasket maker sealant? also I seen a video of a cover replacement and they said use Teflon on bolts, and that's the only time I seen or read of this being done.

 

[ranger_lover]

sorry for asking so much, but the amount of issues I had in the past with this cover I just want it done right this time. this reply is about one of my last questions. you said a gasket sealant, does this differ with RTV gasket sealant?

 

[pjtoledo]

sorry for asking so much, but the amount of issues I had in the past with this cover I just want it done right this time. this reply is about one of my last questions. you said a gasket sealant, does this differ with RTV gasket sealant?

RTV means Room Temperature Vulcanized, it describes anything rubbery that cures at room temperature., basically any sealant in a tube is an RTV product.

 

[ranger_lover]

thanks for explaining. I do so many other repairs on ATV's, tractors, generators and such that when I look on the shelf and one product says one thing and another says differently but they are the same, it gets confusing.