I took your advice dave and pulled the pump off, that did make good sense. Got everything off and de-greased, should I use any sealant when re-installing the water pump gasket and timing cover gasket ? Probably will use gasgacinch on water pump gasket but what about the Ford oem green timing cover gasket ?
rodb,
I have pretty much standardized my silicon - Permatex Ultra Copper.
I buy (what I feel) is the best grade silicon offered and am using that on
everything.
As I look at it, it's only $5 - $7 a tube.
For that reasonable price I don't have to clutter up my limited shop space with multiple tubes of differing grades of silicon for different applications that will only dry out (probably when I need a tube the most)
For the past 10 - 15 years, this is what I use for Differentials, Valve Covers, Thermostats, Water pumps, yada, yada, yada...
I always have at least 2 tubes on hand - one opened and a fresh new unopened tube. This stuff is that good
NOTE: Post
#38 of this thread has a picture of the "old style" tube picture, below in their "new style" tube picture - same exact stuff...
Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8187...42164&sr=1-1&keywords=silicon+copper+permatex
As far as the Green Teflon Coated Ford Gasket, I did not coat that with anything, as on this German Engineered Engine it's teflon coated for a reason (read post
#33 of this write up). German engineers always do things for a reason... That's why I added a day to the job to get the correct gasket from Ford.
BUT - to assure that that I'd get a good timing cover seal, I put a clean rag over the exposed oil pan, and then I wire brushed the face of the engine block that the timing cover attaches to. (LAST PICTURE of Post 28 of this thread shows the exposed oil pan).
I also ran a tap through all of the bolt holes so as to get the crud out.
THEN, I wire brushed all of the threads on the timing cover bolts.
Finally, I GENTLY wire brushed the surface of the timing cover.
Do not use a heavy gauge wire brush on the delicate aluminum timing cover as you will make gouges on it.
Use a very thin / fine gauge wire brush that flexes easily.
You won't need to put too much effort on the cleaning of the aluminum timing cover due to the fact that all it had on it was a TEFLON coated paper gasket and no sealers.
Make sure you clean off all gasket and silicon sealer surfaces with a CLEAN RAG and Carb or Brake Cleaner to kill any oil which silicon will not adhere to).
I cannot stress enough that to hit your goal on this job the first time (i.e. No Leaks) close to 100% of this job is the "preparation". Take your time and do it only once.
Look at my pics - it's cleaner in my engine compartment than a third world operating room