Engine Sealants

[bcmc33]

I guess this subject has been done to death a number of times on the forum, but I need to establish the latest thinking.

Modern engine and transmission assemblies do not use paper type gaskets between machine finished parts ? just RTV.

I am in the process of stripping down the Twink and seriously considering only using gaskets for the sump and rocker box.

What is the best RTV that I should use? Sean Murray recommended Elring Dirko as the best thing since sliced bread.

Also, are there an alternatives to the standard cork gaskets for the sump?

Informed comments please.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Dirko (Grey) is as old as the Hills just like Hermatite (Blue).
I expect its original formulation has likewise been changed in order to comply with health & safety standards, subsequently becoming less effective.
That usually involves the total removal of any degreasing agent.
I have had many years of positive professional experience with Dribond (3 Bond) 1209. (Can also be obtained in Black)
This dries clear & remains elastic. It like any modern sealant needs dry clean Oil free surfaces for it to work correctly.
That is the sealant that my old Employer uses on all of its Engines, Bikes or Cars.

John

[nebogipfel]

"........as old as the Hills just like Hermatite (Blue)"

Aren't you thinking of blue Hylomar? (Behaves and smells totally different to Hermetite)

I'm only familiar with traditional red Hermetite or Green (hard setting) or Golden (non-setting)?

It's probably all changed now, everything seems to

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

"........as old as the Hills just like Hermatite (Blue)"

Aren't you thinking of blue Hylomar? (Behaves and smells totally different to Hermetite)

I'm only familiar with traditional red Hermetite or Green (hard setting) or Golden (non-setting)?

It's probably all changed now, everything seems to

I stand corrected kind Sir.
Hylomar was what I was thinking of & the Fingers wrote what they wanted
Oh dear these "Senior Moments" seem to be on the increase
Fond memories of the lovely smell of the old Hylomar.
I helped as an Apprentice putting overhauled Bristol Hercules & Centaurus engine Crankcases together with the stuff after lapping the joint surfaces.
(Errm of course in the very last Days of those old Workhorses)

Yup things change & not always for the better.
I don't think that any Sealants available today could cope with the slightest bit of Oil contamination the way that the old Hylomar etc. used to
"Oh indeed Sir, we have to comply with Health & Safety Sir, it's the Law Sir"

John

[oldelanman]

I too was introduced to Hylomar as an apprentice in the 60's and have used it ever since. Still seems to work the same - easy to apply and remove. My only experience with RTV silicone sealants is domestic DIY and if that's anything to go by I would think the joints would be difficult to break once the stuff has cured - ever tried removing a bathroom sink that's been stuck to the tiles with sealant ??? Maybe the automotive stuff is different.
Just come across this article on the Hylomar website which may be of interest....

http://www.hylomarblue.com/alternative%20to%20silicones.htm


Regards,

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I too was introduced to Hylomar as an apprentice in the 60's and have used it ever since. Still seems to work the same - easy to apply and remove. My only experience with RTV silicone sealants is domestic DIY and if that's anything to go by I would think the joints would be difficult to break once the stuff has cured - ever tried removing a bathroom sink that's been stuck to the tiles with sealant ??? Maybe the automotive stuff is different.
Just come across this article on the Hylomar website which may be of interest....

http://www.hylomarblue.com/alternative%20to%20silicones.htm


Regards,

OMG you must be as ancient as me
I can't open the Link, my Laptop is on a "go slow"

John

[oldelanman]

Hi John,

Try this link.....http://www.hylomarblue.com If that works click on "UB Vs silicones" on the LHS to open the article.

Time for my afternoon nap now....you know how it is when you're getting on a bit !

All the best

[nebogipfel]

I stand corrected kind Sir.
Hylomar was what I was thinking of & the Fingers wrote what they wanted
Oh dear these "Senior Moments" seem to be on the increase ..........

John

Think nothing of it old boy ......I suspect that as with myself a large proportion of the contributors to this forum are significantly older than the Lotus cars they drive

[bcmc33]

I suspect that as with myself a large proportion of the contributors to this forum are significantly older than the Lotus cars they drive

This had to be a good year - I'm no longer twice the age of my car

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hi John,

Try this link.....http://www.hylomarblue.com If that works click on "UB Vs silicones" on the LHS to open the article.

Time for my afternoon nap now....you know how it is when you're getting on a bit !

All the best

Thanks for the extra Link, I'll have look when this bl--dy Laptop decides to work properly.
Seems like I'm going to have to call the Hotline & let the Dell Pixie take a mooch around inside.
The old Logs, Trig tables & Slide Rule never went on a go slow, but I suppose that slower would have been difficult to achieve.
Techbl--dyknowlodgy Bah!

Cheers
John

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I suspect that as with myself a large proportion of the contributors to this forum are significantly older than the Lotus cars they drive

This had to be a good year - I'm no longer twice the age of my car

Is that a new Christmas Quiz question

[bcmc33]

I suspect that as with myself a large proportion of the contributors to this forum are significantly older than the Lotus cars they drive

This had to be a good year - I'm no longer twice the age of my car

Is that a new Christmas Quiz question

Just a statement of fact.

The bloody Dell worked quickly that time!!!

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Not really a problem there, it just doesn't like multi-tasking such as opening up links etc.
It times out when trying to log onto Forums & the bl--dy Cursor jumps back into previously typed Text & proceeds to put what I'm typing there.
I hope the Dell Pixie will help me out.

Cheers
John

[nebogipfel]

This had to be a good year - I'm no longer twice the age of my car

Around the time my old girl was being skillfully assembled in the Hethel factory I was at school dreaming about a girl in the 3rd year, it was the late 60's and they all wore knee length boots and mini skirts

Volatile combination copious hormones and teenage totty

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

This had to be a good year - I'm no longer twice the age of my car

Around the time my old girl was being skillfully assembled in the Hethel factory I was at school dreaming about a girl in the 3rd year, it was the late 60's and they all wore knee length boots and mini skirts

Volatile combination copious hormones and teenage totty

Oh YES
We had about 6 Nubile 16 to 17 year Office Girls training to be secretary's in our Drawing Office.
Don't forget the Hot Pants!!
Had my young Hormones charging around all over the place.
One of them used to visit me regularly to give the tray that ran along the bottom of my Drawing Board, to collect erasure debris etc. "a Blow through" the announcement of such by this sweet young thing amused my more mature workmates enormously & caused me to get a very red Face.
Fun days, never to be forgotten. We grew up in the best Era ever