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***Sorry I just realized I posted this in general instead of tech.
I’m making progress on my cam install and want to get something cleared up. I have a 2002 C5 and it looks like the oil pan gasket protrudes under the timing cover and also has a bead of silicone gasket. See pic below.
Should I put a dab of RTV in the corners and seal it up or run a bead along the entire bottom of the front cover like it says in the ls1 howto write up? I didn’t think there was a gasket between the oil pan and timing cover.
Last edited by evolmotorsprt; May 1, 2018 at 05:33 PM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
corners only and use a light layer spread on evenly with your finger... I don't like to dab it on and let the cover (or whatever else) squish it... Hondabond works fantastic if you happen to have some of that... also make sure the cover and gasket are squeaky clean of any oil before you apply the rtv and bolt it together, any small trace can cause a leak... looks like you are doing a good job
Last edited by StingrayRebel; May 1, 2018 at 07:52 PM.
corners only and use a light layer spread on evenly with your finger... I don't like to dab it on and let the cover (or whatever else) squish it... Hondabond works fantastic if you happen to have some of that... also make sure the cover and gasket are squeaky clean of any oil before you apply the rtv and bolt it together, any small trace can cause a leak... looks like you are doing a good job
Thanks for the response and comment. It's been an adventure, and I only want to be in there once. I need to start a build thread, but I've been covered in oil every free moment I have.
Yes, just the corners. Another big problem I have with ls1howto is the RTV on the timing cover.
Also worth noting, make sure you either buy the tool or use measurements to install the timing cover and center it. Because the pan is in place, you are actually going to press it downwards to seal it against the pan gasket. Using the harmonic balancer like shown on ls1howto will bias and incorrectly deform the front crank seal. One of the vendors on this forum sells a neat little tool for doing this job.
I have the SacCity AlighIt tools. Worth every penny. Definitely recommend them. Too much hassle to have to do it twice.
Just an FYI!
Make SURE that you install the front cover gasket in the correct orientation. You get a 50/50 chance and Murphy says you will get it in the wrong direction!
OH,,, You DID RED LOCKTITE the cam retainer and cam gear bolts,,, RIGHT????
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; May 2, 2018 at 01:30 PM.
Just an FYI!
Make SURE that you install the front cover gasket in the correct orientation. You get a 50/50 chance and Murphy says you will get it in the wrong direction!
OH,,, You DID RED LOCKTITE the cam retainer and cam gear bolts,,, RIGHT????
Bill
Well now that you mention it... I was double checking my work online after I put on the front engine cover and came across another post where you gave the same warning about the flipped gasket. Went to look and it was backwards. Haha. Glad I came across that and thanks. That would’ve been a bad day.
And yup, put locktite on everything and did the goofy shim assembly procedure for the melling hp oil pump. There are a lot of little things that a first timer (like me) can miss.
Originally Posted by bigmackloud
I have the SacCity AlighIt tools. Worth every penny. Definitely recommend them. Too much hassle to have to do it twice.
This is exactly the tool I used for the job, and yes the cover presses hard into the oil pan gasket. The Alignit needed some persuasion to get in there.
Last edited by evolmotorsprt; May 5, 2018 at 05:26 PM.
Just an FYI!
Make SURE that you install the front cover gasket in the correct orientation. You get a 50/50 chance and Murphy says you will get it in the wrong direction!
OH,,, You DID RED LOCKTITE the cam retainer and cam gear bolts,,, RIGHT????
Bill
Hello - I’m in process of cam swap myself. Missed locktite on the these parts thank you for the info... do I need to use on the oil pump and timing cover bolts too? Thanks - Pip
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
you don't need loctite on the oil pump and front cover bolts, just make sure they are torqued properly... you will probably be fine on the cam and retainer bolts as long as they were also properly torqued
Timing cover install RTV Question
