Form-In-Place Gaskets And Sealers

There are numerous places where form-in-place gaskets are used on the engine. Care must be taken when applying form-in-place gaskets to assure obtaining the desired results. Do not use form-in-place gasket material unless specified.  Bead size, continuity and location are of great importance. Too thin a bead can result in leakage while too much can result in spill over which can break off and obstruct fluid feed lines. A continuous bead of the proper width is essential to obtain a leak free gasket. All sealing surfaces that use form-in-place gaskets and sealers must  be free of grease or oil. Surfaces should be cleaned with Mopar® brake parts cleaner prior to sealer application. After the sealer is applied, the parts should be assembled within 10 minutes.

There are numerous types of form-in-place gasket materials that are used in the engine area. Each has different properties and can not be used in place of the other.

SEALANT TYPES 

• Mopar® Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive  is used to seal components exposed to engine oil. This material is a specially designed black silicone rubber Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) that retains adhesion and sealing properties when exposed to engine oil. Moisture in the air causes the material to cure. This material is available in three ounce tubes and has a shelf life of one year. After one year this material will not properly cure. Always inspect the package for the expiration date before use.
• Mopar® ATF-RTV  is a specifically designed black silicone rubber RTV that retains adhesion and sealing properties to seal components exposed to automatic transmission fluid, engine coolants and moisture. This material is available in three ounce tubes and has a shelf life of one year. After one year this material will not properly cure. Always inspect the package for the expiration date before use.
• Mopar® Gasket Maker  is an anaerobic type gasket material. The material cures in the absence of air when squeezed between two metallic surfaces. It will not cure if left in the uncovered tube. The anaerobic material is for use between two machined surfaces. Do not use on flexible metal flanges.
• Mopar® Bed Plate Sealant  is a unique (green in color) anaerobic type gasket material that is specially made to seal the area between the bed plate and cylinder block without disturbing the bearing clearance or alignment of these components. The material cures slowly in the absence of air when torqued between two metallic surfaces and will rapidly cure when heat is applied.
• Mopar® Threebond™ Engine RTV  is formulated as a high performance temperature vulcanized silicone with good elasticity, temperature and chemical resistance when cured. It is resistant to engine oil, transmission fluid and gear lube but not recommended for sealing engine coolant.

SEALANT APPLICATION 

• Mopar® Gasket Maker material should be applied sparingly 1 mm (0.040 in.) in diameter or less of sealant to one gasket surface. Be certain the material surrounds each mounting hole. Excess material can easily be wiped off. Components should be torqued in place within 15 minutes. The use of a locating dowel is recommended during assembly to prevent smearing material off the location.
• Mopar® Engine Sealant RTV or ATF-RTV gasket material should be applied in a continuous bead approximately 3 mm (0.120 in.) in diameter. All mounting holes must be circled. For corner sealing and "T" joint locations, a 3.17 or 6.35 mm (1/8 or 1/4 in.) drop is placed in the center of the gasket contact area. Uncured sealant may be removed with a shop towel. Components should be torqued in place while the sealant is still wet to the touch (within 10 minutes). The usage of a locating dowel is recommended during assembly to prevent smearing material off the location.
• Mopar® Threebond™ Engine RTV Sealant gasket material should be applied in a continuous bead approximately 3 mm (0.120 in.) in diameter. The gasket surfaces should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol wipes in preparation for sealant application. All mounting holes must be circled. For corner sealing and "T" joint locations, a 3.17 or 6.35 mm (1/8 or 1/4 in.) drop is placed in the center of the gasket contact area. Uncured sealant may be removed with a shop towel. Components should be assembled within 10 minutes and torqued in place within 45 minutes. The usage of a locating dowel is recommended during assembly to prevent smearing material off the location.