Gaskets or RTV?

[tmorgan4]

I've got a fairly straight forward question dealing with the use of RTV sealant vs. gaskets. I know several differences exist in the service procedures from the early to mid model VH45s.

I bought a gasket set packaged by JIS engines. It wasn't as complete as I was hoping it would be. It includes head, intake manifold and plenum gaskets, o-rings, and a package of misc. gaskets (like for the throttle body and more). The VH45 I'm working with is from a 1992.

From the write-ups I've seen, it mentions on the early engines to use RTV sealant on the valve covers and not a gasket. The machine shop doesn't even list a part number for a gasket.

Can I get away with RTV on the oil pan, timing covers, water pump and more? I know many procedures are extremely well documented on this site and was suprised I couldn't find anything on this topic. I may not be looking hard enough. The last thing I want is this thing leaking oil!

[elwesso]

The early VH45s used RTV on the valve covers. Everything else that you mentioned is RTV, you'd know that by looking in the manual.

The oil pan, water pump, VC, front and rear covers all use RTV and have a groove to apply it in. Mainly the only things that use gaskets are things on the upper part of the motor with the intake, and of course the exhaust manifolds.

[maxnix]

Sounds like you need to dowload and read the FSM at the minimum.

[tmorgan4]

Trust me, I've spent plenty of hours looking at a good part of the FSM but I didn't realize that this was mentioned. I do know that in some of the parts drawings it has an RTV icon next to certain pieces.

It would be great if we could get an earlier FSM up to cover the earliest of VH45s. It seems that me and everyone else who owns a 90-93 engine is using the 94 FSM and several things changed.