36 replies to this topic

[Pauly]

Hi all,

Anyone know of a good sealent to build engines with?

Thanks.

Paul.

[jameswhiles]

Hylomar all the way http://www.hylomar.co.uk/

[bmcecosse]

You don't need any! BMC didn't use any when they first built the engine - why bodge it up now ? Just make sure all the faces are clean and use new gaskets.

[Sprocket]

You don't need any! BMC didn't use any when they first built the engine - why bodge it up now ? Just make sure all the faces are clean and use new gaskets.

Maybe BMC didn't use any but Asutin Rover and later Rover certainly did

Austin rover tended to use a stuff called Stag, while Rover used a white RTV

Its up to you but IMO if you do not use any sealant what so ever, its going to leak, maybe small and considered acceptable, or it could be large enough make your wife unhappy with the oil patches all over the drive.

I personaly use Loctite RTV. I build engines that do not leak, and if a leak develops, I fix it straight away, its usualy something easy to fix anyway.

Edited by Sprocket, 12 December 2009 - 10:04 PM.

[cobblers]

IMHO there is no harm in a thin smear of some sort of gasket sealant anywhere the faces look a bit pitted for whatever reason.
The gaskets are designed to work on nice flat clean surfaces - In the real world, 30 years down the line things aren't always ideal.
Obviously don't put loads on so it all squeezes out and drops into the engine and clogs the pickup - but I've got into the habit of running a very very thin bead of Loctite 5296 on both sides of the gasket, circling any bolt holes. I always run the bead closer to the outside so that when it's bolted up, most if the surplus comes out where I can see.

[Pooky]

I too was pleased when I used Loctite RTV, and Loctite Blue gasket sealant, and some thread sealer in places.

Hopefully not tempting fate but I've now got a leak free Mini.

[MRA]

RTV is a much better class of silicone sealer. and as such is a lot stronger wit less tendencies to leaking

If you choose to use silicon sealer then ensure that it is black or orange although these are no where near tyhe strength of RTV they are the best out of the silicone range...... don't be mislead by the sales bumpf as that only states the "weakest" of those tested

[datsun100a]

dow corning rtv if you can get it, our local bus company use it cause it works. I've built a few mini engines and strangley they don't leak a drop!

[bmcecosse]

Built properly - they don't leak with NO sealant!

[Pauly]

Can you get the locktite rtv in a tube for the sealant guns?

Paul.

[Cooperman]

Indeed, they shouldn't leak with no sealant.
However, the timing cover in particular, if it is not brand new, will often 'weep' a bit of oil due to its age and some minor distortion.
Personally I use Hylomar on timing cover and around the transmission seals. For the front engine oil seal I use RTV.
The engine to gearbox gaskets don't need a sealant, nor does the water pump or oil pump. As the transfer gear casing is both aluminium to cast iron and aluminium to aluminium, a light smear of Hylomar is a good idea, particularly around the bottom part where it bolts to the gearbox.
By the way, Hylomar was originally developed to cure the oil leaks from the Rolls-Rocye 'Merlin' V12 aircraft engine which suffered from bad leaks.

[MINI 1]

Built properly - they don't leak with NO sealant!

dont be daft , most minis leak even if built using correct gaskets and cleaning the facces .

[mini13]

come on then...

lets see a picture of the underside of your box.

dow corning rtv if you can get it, our local bus company use it cause it works. I've built a few mini engines and strangley they don't leak a drop!

[Sprocket]

Built properly - they don't leak with NO sealant!

i know what you meant by that statement, which begs the question, what makes you a better engine builder than anyone else who does use any form of sealant?

[Surfbluegarage]

i use either hylomar or rtv... good stuff really... and whats all this crap about not using sealents.. the a series is just dying for a hole tube of hylamar in it and then ull still get leaks.. unless youve got NOS mini engine parts or bits that have bin remachined you wont find many mini bits for the a series engine that will not leak oil... simple as.lol

also i work at a mini garage with a bloke that used to work for bmc building the engines and gearboxes and he used rtv on all engines he builds and hes a pro!!

Edited by mini_mad_daps, 13 December 2009 - 07:12 PM.