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Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:51 pm

Juts purchased a rebuilt engine and they used Permatex "The Right Stuff" to seal, well...everything.
I did and extensive search here on The Samba, for the product used specifically as a case sealant. There were 480,000 threads concerning case sealant, but none addressing this specific product. I couldn't find even a post where the verbiage had been used. They claim they've had good results using it, but I get the impression it's more like a silicone and less like a true sealant.
As far as marine and motorcycle applications go, I've read some threads on their forums and the general consensus is that they love the stuff, even for sealing motorcycle cases.
Anybody have any experience with using it as a case sealant?

Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:42 pm

Not the right stuff.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:44 pm

It's too thick. I use Permatex Aviation and apply a think coat. Never a problem on dozens of engine.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:47 pm

Never used it as a case sealant, but I have used it to seal the base of the cylinders to the case (no paper gaskets). It worked fine.

FWIW, most car makers use "The Right Stuff", or something very similar, on a bunch of stuff that used to take gaskets. Oil pans, valley pans, valve covers, diff covers, etc. It works fine in all of those applications.

Nick

P.S.

Another case sealant you might try is Three-Bond. They make sealants for most Japanese motorcycle makers, and are also OEM suppliers to Subaru. Hondabond, Yamabond, Kawibond, etc. are all the same product, made by Three-Bond. Subaru's version is called Fuji-Bond, and Subaru uses it to seal their case halves from the factory. Japanese motorcycle companies have been using the stuff for decades to seal motorcycle cases with no problems.

I used Three-Bond to assemble my last VW engine, and it worked fine, with NO leaks. Just a super thin film was needed. The stuff is runnier than regular silicone-type sealants, so have paper towels ready! :roll:

Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:04 pm

Thanks guys. There are a lot of threads out there on the overall subject. I never considered the thickness of it being a problem.
I guess there's not a lot I can do about it at this point other than run it or sell it. I had collected new heads, new PnC's, counter weighted and dynamically balanced bottom end and was going to assemble it myself. Time constraints had me sending it to a "professional" who has many years of experience. I was expecting some old tried and true engine building and ended up with gooped together case halves. He snapped back at me when I claimed he had RTV'd my case together though..."it's 'The Right Stuff' and it's all we use!".

Apparently, he's sold on the crap...I am not.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:18 pm

The only place i dare use any type of silicone sealant is around the base of the cylnders.
Permatex Avaiation for everything else.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:54 pm

craigman wrote: The only place i dare use any type of silicone sealant is around the base of the cylnders.
Permatex Avaiation for everything else.
It's not silicone, man...it's "the right stuff". :D

I'm making fun cause the builder wanted me to be sure I understood that it's "not silicone". Permatex doesn't say on their website exactly WHAT it is...

Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:22 pm

Its the "right stuff" under cylinders only and then minimal amount...

For case #3 Aviation sealer....

Dale

Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:24 pm

yes it does its
"the Right Stuff® Grey Gasket Maker
The Right Stuff Grey Gasket Maker was specifically designed to perform under the higher torque loads caused by engines with closely spaced bolt patterns (typically import vehicles, particularly Japanese). It is is blowout resistant, allowing leakproof gaskets to be made and put into service in just one minute. Sensor-safe, this product seals instantly, forming a reliable, long lasting elastomeric rubber gasket that outperforms precut gaskets. OEM specified by Honda, Nissan and Mazda. This product is resistant to powertrain fluids (oil, coolant, and ATF) and operates in environments to 450°F (232°C) continuous; 500°F (260°C) intermittent.

so its silicon,same as the rest with bullshit attached

Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:57 pm

Ive used Permatex on my engines for the pat 35 years!
Other guys dont use it, but I dont have oil leaks... Its very nasty stuff, dont get it on your clothes, it will never come out! Its great stuff

Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:22 pm

The 'right stuff' is good for apps it's was intended for, but for vw case halfs I don't recommend it, it just to thick.
I like using Threebond 1211, yamabond, or aviation. All seem to get the job done just fine.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:45 pm

Right stuff-
Urethane type sealant, or maybe a urethane/silicone mix of some kind, they don't tell you exactly

Not resistant to gasoline, too thick for small gaps.

Good for sealing old bent up valve covers and oil pans and coolant related stuff.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:47 pm

Anybody want to buy a rebuilt VW engine? :D

Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:53 pm

hahaha
you know, my engine is sealed with ketchup
The main advantage of that is..........um............that it is thin and does not reduce the bearing crush.......yeah that's it.........and it's good with fries

Take it apart and see if there are any good parts in it. You never know. Could be new cam and crank or could be all junk, that sealant is the least of your worries
Then again it won't hurt anything to try it out for a bit how it is. If you spent less than 400$ on it then you can't go wrong either way

Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:55 pm

modok wrote: hahaha
you know, my engine is sealed with ketchup
The main advantage of that is..........um............that it is thin and does not reduce the bearing crush.......yeah that's it.........and it's good with fries

Take it apart and see if there are any good parts in it. You never know. Could be new cam and crank or could be all junk, that sealant is the least of your worries
Then again it won't hurt anything to try it out for a bit how it is. If you spent less than 400$ on it then you can't go wrong either way
^^ My post above explains what's inside of it ^^

It was all my internals, tons of new stuff that I had been saving. Should have assembled it myself. I've done it twice, years ago with good results.

Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:37 pm

Oh, ok
Did the bearings have plenty of crush?

Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:55 pm

I have used Gaskasinch for years with 0 problems or leaks, I say use what works for you, however the right stuff will never see any of my case halves( too thick)

Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:10 pm

modok wrote: hahaha
you know, my engine is sealed with ketchup

I hear Del Monte seals the best, but that Heinz works better under
higher load. What have you found? I also heard from my cousins buddy's
friends sister that Hunt's is just to thick and drips out... :shock:

Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:12 pm

honestly I don't think the ketchup was the best choice........
But you won't see me splitting the case just to change the sealant. :wink:

Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:37 pm

From the PERFORMANCE STICKY at the top of the forum: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=179770