• From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 793

Topic: A Chemical Question

Hiya All,

So............I'm tearing down a VW case and I'm wondering about what was used to seal the cylinders to the case.  Most of the case bolts have been gooped with what looks like Permatex Aviation and there's green stuff (Curil, I'm guessing) on the oil pump studs and the generator stand but the sealant that was used on the cylinder to case surfaces and the cam plug is charcoal/gray-black (and rubbery).  I'm thinking that it is not RTV, but are there any other possibilities?

And as long as we are on the subject........I've used Permatex Aviation as a sealant in the past and have always had pretty good luck with it.  But I know that there are other sealants out there and I was wondering if anybody had any they particularly liked.  Always trying to improve my game.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • TomB
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,088

Re: A Chemical Question

Could be Dirko - used by VW on the waterboxer jacket surfaces. Aircooled.net calls it an RTV, but I don't believe it is silicone.
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewpr … mp;cartid=

  • From: Washington, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,423

Re: A Chemical Question

Mike, I have always used permatex between the case halves and on the cylinders, never had any leaking problems with that......Some old farts used Indian Head Gasket shellac, I think IT would work ok too.....I NEVER used silicone sealant anywhere on an engine rebuild. An old trick I heard of once but never tried was using permatex on the case halves and laying down a cotton thread all around one case half before putting them together...It was said that the thread would help seal the halves better....

                                                                                             Yancey

Yancey's Website

  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: A Chemical Question

I also only use permatex aviation between the case halves and on the cylinders. I have tried the thread in addition, on the case halves just to make sure of the seal(heard that from some old fart like Yancey) NO BLUE,ORANGE, RED, BLACK, GOO(SILICONE)


                                                                                     burrhead
PS nice web site Yancey. Did you do that yourself?

Last edited by burrhead (2009-01-12 17:38:24)

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • From: Washington, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,423

Re: A Chemical Question

Did I do the website? HAHAHAHAHA! Do you think Im computer  savey enough to do that? lol.. My brother in law did that for me as a surprise...He somehow gathered all the facts and data from me without me knowing about it and did it.  How do you get on it? Do you just type in www.yanceysvw.com       ? <<<<<<(shameless plug)

                                                                                   Yancey

Last edited by Yancey (2009-01-12 17:51:44)

Yancey's Website

  • From: Grayson, GA
  • Registered: 2008-03-19
  • Posts: 444

Re: A Chemical Question

All the folks at www.burelphotography.com lovewww.yanceysvw.com   <<<<<<<<<<<even more shameless

1971 Standard Beetle. Answers to the name "Big Bird"
1974 Westfalia. Answers to the name "Winifrid"

71_georgia_beetle's Website

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 793

Re: A Chemical Question

Hiya Guys,

Well, I'm pretty much a Permatex kinda guy myself.

But I keep on reading about, or seeing, or being told about this that and the other sealant (and from what I've been able to tell these products are, for the most part, silicone sealants) and how they're so great and all.  I just needed a perception check.  I tend to be a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it kinda guy" but I don't build enough engines to really keep up with new sealant kinds of products.  So, I was wondering if I was missing out on anything.

And I visited your website Yancey.  I enjoyed your gallery, but I gotta tell you.............I'd be careful if I were you.  That's a really nice Bug but that guy in the picture looks kinda creepy.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • From: Washington, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,423

Re: A Chemical Question

LOL, He IS kinda SCARY, isnt he?

                                                                                            Yancey

Yancey's Website

  • Registered: 2006-07-20
  • Posts: 332

Re: A Chemical Question

I always use those little paper gaskets for sealing cylinders to case.  Maybe someone can tell me if that is a "bad thing" - I don't know, but I drive a lot and never have leaks there.  Also, and here I'm really exposing myself - I don't use ANYTHING to seal case halves as long as they haven't been jabbed at with screwdrivers, and again, no leaks.  Maybe I'm just lucky - or just great German machining.  These case halves are not hard like steel - and when they are all bolted up, they fit together pretty good - again, only if they haven't been "violated" with screwdrivers, prybars, etc.

  • From: So Cal
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 675

Re: A Chemical Question

This is what my engine builder uses and I have no leaks at all. New engine I know but the engine is clean.

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/8b6/8b6435a1f8b31b3143c2f8fd367ac106_de5.jpg

Not a proud owner of Sally 1969 Sedan with a burned 1915 tiger under the deck lid.
Also George a 1957 Sedan, not yet started with Resto.
  • From: Washington, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,423

Re: A Chemical Question

From the experience I have had, if someone uses silicone on the cylinders to block or on the case halves MOST or if not ALL is usually squeezed out of the mating surfaces doing absolutely no good...Also I use the paper gaskets between the block and the cylinders..They help seal the imperfections of the case mating surface...AGAIN, NO silicone use permatex....  (just 33 years experience talking) if anyone wants to argue about it, go ahead....but I wont argue back.....lol

                                                                                                 Yancey

______________________________________________

"You can beat a dead horse, but you cant lead him to water.."   (Wait, I dont think thats the correct quote.....)     never mind.......

Yancey's Website

  • From: So Cal
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 675

Re: A Chemical Question

I guess I didn't mention that he uses permatex at the cylinders. He uses the 1211 for almost everything else.

Not a proud owner of Sally 1969 Sedan with a burned 1915 tiger under the deck lid.
Also George a 1957 Sedan, not yet started with Resto.
  • From: MVD, UY
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 46

Re: A Chemical Question

Anyone use the Loctite 574???
In many Porsche sites recommend this over the Permatex 3H!



Sebastian.

  • From: Washington, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,423

Re: A Chemical Question

Locktite 574? We didnt have no "FANCY" numbered locktite 574 when WE were building engines back in 1962 ! We used SNOT and corn starch, and we LIKED it! Young wippersnappers....sheeeesh.....WHY spend GOOD money on something new when things work good just the way our grandparents did it! If you read the ingrediants it probably says: Contains SNOT and "purified" corn starch..,.....Young whippersnappers! grumble grumble grumble......

                                                                                            Yancey

Yancey's Website

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 793

Re: A Chemical Question

Uh-oh...................

Gramps is off his medication again!

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck