Restoration Rant

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Am I the only person in the world who does not stick everything together with bloody sealastic?? Out in the shed tonight scraping away at someones quick fix shortcut yet again, and realised that every vehicle I've had for the last 20 or so years has had the stuff bubbling and oozing out of hubs, diffs, transfer cases and the rest.
Realised after all this time that it generally does not bode well for what you find inside, but have decided not to mention the missing axle spacer and bearing back plate in (not) the wheel hub tonight.
Always found it quite relaxing, cutting and punching gaskets, but I am obviously on my Pat Malone.
Rant Ends
Rich

[Phil Waterman]

Richard

Your "rant" about sealastic or silicon and about how it is miss used is well taken.

The first thing I've noticed is that people use way to much resulting in it squeezing out in places you really do not want it squeezing out. I've taken apart hydraulic systems where the stuff had been picked up in the flow of oil and smeared all over the pump surfaces followed by the failure of the pump.

Yes there are some people myself included that still cut gaskets and even take note of how thick they should be, particularly on anything that has shims to preload bearings. I use a scanner and computer to copy gaskets and then print them on gasket material then cut them out.

The failure to wait 24 hours after using any of these “sealants” before filling with oil, water what ever and then running is of course probably the worst problem.


Cheers Phil

[Harry Moon]

another problem that comes up when you smear the stuff and get it into a blind hole, the wrench got a little squishy before getting tight and then BANG i blew the ear of the waterpump mounting, (on my HEMI no less) I had hydrauliced the casting and the pressure found it's own way out . I've got smarter since then .

[hrpearce]

Yes Richard I use sealastic on gaskets because I usually cut the gasket out of the side of a cerial box so a thin smear helps the seal. Where shims are used and thickess is critical I use loctite No. 3 autmotive non-hardening sealant. As for it bubbling out of joins I'm too cheap to use that much

[Howard]

Silicone sealant, gaffa tape & zip ties. Three of the most critical 'tools' in my shed. But you are right, too many people use too much of the stuff. And in my daily work I often see DIY mechanics (like myself) stuff electronic sensors such as air flow sensors & oxygen sensors by using the incorrect type of sealant too!
(Not that this is a problem on CMP's!)

[cantankrs]

Hi Phil,

Sorry to hijack Richard's (important) rant for a moment - and silastic partially blocked engine oil passages can end up disastrous, but..

I've seen this business mentioned in another post I think. Interesting idea and I will certainly consider borrowing it . Washing the c**p off my hands before I touch the computer will slow down the process...
On the other hand getting the gasket cut right the first time is an advantage..
Just need to find some gasket paper that doesn't curl so stiffly you have to soak it in a bucket for a minute before you can get it flat!



Alex
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M3 Grant, Val, Ferrets, WM20, CMP's