Small block Water Pump gasket - use sealant or no sealant?

[idrivemopar]

On small block motor does anyone use sealant on the water pump gasket or do you just use a quality gasket with no sealant? What about the bolts that penetrate the water jacket?

 

[coloradodave]

I use KW Coppercoat or Gasgacinch to hold the gasket in place on the motor, then put the pump on dry. I like FelPro gaskets. Main thing is NOT to use RTV and a gasket. RTV by itself is OK, but a lot messier. Good luck...

 

[idrivemopar]

Must be a cheap gasket I used, I got a Felpro one now. I was also reading over on forabodiesonly to use Blue RTV on the threads on the 4 bolts that go into the water jacket. Hopefully this will be the last time I have to make any adjustments on the ps pump or alt for a while, because every time I loosen those bolts they dribble coolant.

 

[69Bee]

I use copper coat in most gaskets instead of RTV. The use of RTV is what brings me my customers. Most people use way too much Blue/Orange/Red Death (RTV), and destroy the engine. I have seen thermostats completely choked with RTV, bypass holes completely blocked, and water pump passages nearly plugged too. As far as the bolts go, never use RTV on them, but rather use a non-hardening sealer such as this product:

http://www.aeroinstock.net/permatex-aviation-form-a-gasket/

I use it on all bolts that go to water, including SBC head bolts.

 

[idrivemopar]

I don't use a lot of RTV when I use it, but I like the copper coat idea, I had forgotten about that stuff until it was mentioned here, I will give that a shot, also got the stuff for the threads as well. Thanks for the feedback.