Water Pump Gasket - Sealant?

I’m going to be replacing my water pump this week. My question is - do you guys recommend any “dressing” of the gasket? If so, what kind? RTV? Right Stuff? Aviation sealant?
What about the threads of the bolts that go into the coolant passages?

Thanks!

 

I hardly ever use any RTV, and use the "Right Stuff" only in the corner joints of the oil pan gasket, and sometimes on transfer case / Transmission mating surfaces.

For a water pump gasket I would use Permatex #2 or the Permatex Aviation.

 

Me too.

 

Indian Head/GASGACINCH.

 

Thanks so much everyone.

I started the disassembly tonight. Two of the bigger/longer bolts are not breaking loose. I haven’t broken them, but I’ve put way more pressure on them than it should take to break them free. Given their length, I don’t think there’s ANY chance of penetrating oil getting to the threads. The only thing I can think of is to try heating the bolt head?

Any other tips or tricks before I snap this thing in the block?

 

Heat maybe. Penetrating oil and time. Shock the bolt with hammer strikes to the head. Penetrating oil. Try turning it very slightly tighter. Penetrating oil.

Worst case, cut or grind the heads off and remove the pump. Without tension on them the remaining length of bolt may unscrew much more easily. Use vise-grips.

Oh, and penetrating oil and time.

 

You didn't say the engine, but if the longer bolts are going through an aluminum front cover, it's usually corrosion of the cover and bolt that bind the bolt into the long hole. Not the threads themselves. Lots of penetrating oil and heating the cover in the area of the bolt can often help. As noted, tapping the end of the bolt with a hammer can help jar things loose.

 

Thanks guys. I’ll give these a try and report back.

 

That would be my go to..

 

Watching some exhaust manifold removal... tightening a little first seems to have some success.

 

Just go slow and gentle - the water pump bolts are likely quite delicate.

 

It’s almost like you fellers know what you’re talking about!

Multiple applications of Kroil, heat, hammer strikes, and alternating tightening pressure and loosening - viola!!!
Got both of them out.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

Whoohoo!

 

Even a blind pig finds an acorn sometimes.

Glad you had the right touch!