• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

The Right Stuff

slepr1

Well-Known Member
Local time
12:23 PM
Joined
Jul 19, 2014
Messages
2,345
Reaction score
2,708
Location
Stoney Creek, Ontario
When reading older posts I notice allot of thumbs up for The Right Stuff gasket maker. Many posters say to apply a small layer on a paper gasket and install. The instructions I read say no other gasket is required. It says just make a bead around the perimeter and around the bolt holes and install.

My leak is from my water neck. I started with an aluminum one. It leaked. Removed and sanded it straight and re-installed with gasket and rtv. Leaked again. Changed to a auto parts store steel one that is chromed (I can't seem to find a steel paintable one), installed with gasket and rtv. Leaked again. Removed, cleaned, and installed with 2 gaskets and rtv. Leaked again.

I bought a tube of this product and am going to give it a try without a gasket unless someone has a reason not to.
 
You have tried everything else. why not give it a try.

- - - Updated - - -

You have tried everything else. Give it a shot no harm no foul on that one.
 
There's stainless steel thermostat housing, pricey though.

eBay item#330301334211
 
Man I can't get a brake! After trying The Right Stuff it still leaked. I cleaned and prepped the surfaces, ran a bead on the water pump housing side, including around the bolt holes as per instructions, and bolted down the neck. 24 hours later I filled er up with antifreeze and started the engine. Soon started to piss out the front!

I'm going to try the Bars Rad Leak stuff before I rip it all apart. My feeling it could be a problem with the water pump housing as I replaced the neck several times. I would have thought The Right Stuff would have sealed any uneven areas in the surface.
 
Pull the neck off and clean the gasket surfaces. Then set the neck on the pump housing and check for gaps with a feeler gauge or by eye. Just look for huge gaps. Then put the T stat in place - dry - and check again. It's possible you don't have the T stat seated in the groove or somehow it's hanging up when you put it together.
 
Something must be off like Meep said. All my experiences with "The Right Stuff" has lead to almost wrecking the part to get it removed. To me that stuff is like welding in a can.
 
Pull the neck off and clean the gasket surfaces. Then set the neck on the pump housing and check for gaps with a feeler gauge or by eye. Just look for huge gaps. Then put the T stat in place - dry - and check again. It's possible you don't have the T stat seated in the groove or somehow it's hanging up when you put it together.

Before I applied The Right Stuff I notice the thermostat was stuck in the neck. I cleaned around it carefully and noted it was seated properly in the neck. Why its stuck in the neck I have no idea...maybe a bit of RTV from previous installs glued it in there.

My last attempt to fix I replaced the neck, gasket and thermostat (got a chromed steel one). I was going to replace everything again but the neck was impossible to remove from the upper rad hose without damaging the hose. The hose is one of those chromed bendable ones which I'd rather not replace.

Should I keep trying to seal properly or shortcut to the Bars Rad leak stuff and end the misery?
 
Update:

I removed the water neck and tested it for flatness. It wasn't. Ordered new parts, I hope to put this ordeal behind me.
 
Update:

I removed the water neck and tested it for flatness. It wasn't. Ordered new parts, I hope to put this ordeal behind me.

You will get it fixed with the new part. Permatex The Right Stuff has done a great job on my stuff.

TU.jpg
 
Just remember to NOT use a gasket if you're going to use RTV. And, as you've found out, flatness of both mating parts is essential. Good luck.
 
Auto-parts-store-chrome-neck = junk. Those chrome crap chinese water necks they've been selling for years are junk.
 
Don't keep buying new water necks. Take the one you like to a machine shop and get it machined flat. I had the same problem, once it was machined flat all was good.
 
Glad you dug deeper and found an issue. A belt sander or a granite surface plate (or a piece of glass) and sand paper will work just fine.
 
I've got fed up with traditional gasket housings. I have Billet Specialty housings on all my cars. They use an O-ring, not a gasket. I don't use any sealer. Just clean the manifold surface and bolt it on. They have never leaked even when removed and reinstalled.
 
I have found that the solution to this problem is usually putting teflon tape or plumber's putty on the bolts that attach the water neck.

I use Rite Stuff to seal the ends of intakes on Fords instead of the stupid cork strips that the gasket sets contain. If it can seal a 1/4" air gap, it should glue a slightly warped water neck. You do however have to give it a couple minutes to "set up" and if possible, wait several hours before putting pressure to it...
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top