radiator gasket

[john2189]

Hi, putting a new radiator on my cub,Do you use any sealant on the cork gasket? the housing mating surface doesnt have any pits or rough spots. Is the cork gasket enough?

John

[Radec Aksarben]

I don't remember adding sealant to mine. It would have been about 6 years ago that I put the new radiator on and no leaks. Good luck!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Most of the time it is not necessary, but personally I do like to wipe a very thin layer of the RTV sealant on both sides of a radiator gasket, just to be on the safe side.

[Bill Hudson]

Most of the time it is not necessary, but personally I do like to wipe a very thin layer of the RTV sealant on both sides of a radiator gasket, just to be on the safe side.

Can't hurt, might help.

Bill

[farmergiffIV]

Have you guys used just RTV sealant as full radiator gasket replacement? I am about to reassemble, unfortunately my gasket set didnt come with a radiator gasket, but I think I'll take my radiator down to the shop and have them order me one if this is a bad idea.

[JohnMihevic]

Last year when I installed my new Clancy radiator from TM Tractor, I just used a new gasket. I cleaned the bolster gasket surface with a wire wheel until it was "shiny" clean. The new radiator surface was obviously perfect. After reassembly and running the tractor a few weeks I noticed a slight leak at the bottom of the radiator. Mind you this was very small, just minor seepage that I didn't like. I took it apart again, got a new gasket, applied a light of film of "Permatex Ultra Blue" and there is absolutely no seepage. It is "tight as a drum".

John M.

[Trent M]

I also used a new gasket with a thin coat of sealant too. No leaks and very happy with it. I wouldn't try it without the cork gasket.

[farmergiffIV]

I am going to go ahead amd make my own cork gasket then, and use a layer of the adhesive as well.

[Gary Dotson]

Back in my flat rate mechanic days, I assembled lots of components with only a bead of RTV sealant and it almost always worked well. It would, no doubt, work fine on your radiator. My older, pickier self, however, prefers to use a gasket, it's just more correct.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Have you guys used just RTV sealant as full radiator gasket replacement? I am about to reassemble, unfortunately my gasket set didnt come with a radiator gasket, but I think I'll take my radiator down to the shop and have them order me one if this is a bad idea.

I do not know of any reason not to, but like Gary, I prefer to have the gasket in there. If you decide to use only the RTV be sure to follow the directions, including the cure time before assembling. Also be very carefull of any excess that might come loose and plug radiator tubes.

[eiebe]

I used silicon glue as a gasket for a good long time just installed the cork gasket without any sealant and been running it hard haven't seen any leaking so up to you

[farmergiffIV]

I used silicon glue as a gasket for a good long time just installed the cork gasket without any sealant and been running it hard haven't seen any leaking so up to you

thanks, I just picked up some cork at the store today, I am going to assembly with cork and glue on both sides.

I am putting on a new radiator instead of original, but I think I'll have my local radiator repair clean up the original for me as a back up.

[farmergiffIV]

The new radiator is installed. I am using a torch wrench for the first time and 20lbs seams really low pressure. Unless I am doing it wrong?

Some nuts werent event down all the way on the lock washer and it hit 20lbs, I went ahead and made them all snug.

[Glen]

Hi,
When it was apart, you should use a tap in the holes, so the bolts turn in easily, and clean the holes out .
Then use a die on the bolts to clean those threads up, if you used the old bolts.
20 ft lbs is a low torque, they are small bolts.

[farmergiffIV]

I did tap the threads, soaked the bolts in mineral oil then dried with a rag. But they werent as clean as new ones which might be the cause.