There are 9 kinds of Permatex gasket maker on my autoparts shelf. After reading their website it appears they all are for "Valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, water pumps, transmission pans". There is some range in temperature difference between some of them. They all say they oil resistant, the only one that seem logical are the ultra copper for exhaust and the water pump T-stat RTV which is the "highest water-glycol resistance available in an RTV silicone" So why not pick the one with the highest temperature rating and be done with it except with the glycol applications. Since I am not a big fan of seeing blue RTV on motors i guess I will use the black for most of my engine assembly. Here they are from the Permatex website: Permatex High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket OEM specified. Formulated for hi-temp applications, or heavy-duty use (such as towing, etc.). Replaces almost any cut gasket by making reliable formed-in-place gaskets that resist cracking, shrinking and migrating caused by thermal cycling. Coats pre-cut gaskets to increase reliability. Temperature range -65F to 650F (-54C to 343C) intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids. First generation 1970-1980 gasket maker. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings, transmission pans Permatex Sensor-Safe Blue RTV Silicone Gasket Maker The original Permatex Blue. Will not foul oxygen sensors. Replaces almost any cut gasket. Makes reliable formed-in-place gaskets that resist cracking, shrinking and migrating. Coats pre-cut gaskets to increase reliability. Temperature range -65F to 500F (-54C to 260C) intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids. First generation 1970-1980 gasket maker. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings, transmission pans Permatex Sensor-Safe High-Temp RTV Silicone Gasket Formulated for oxygen sensor equipped engines. First generation 1970-1980 gasket maker. Temperature range of -65F to 650F (-54C to 343C) intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings, transmission pan Permatex the Right Stuff Gasket Maker Return equipment to service immediately when you make leak-proof gaskets in just one minute with the Right Stuff. This latest elastomeric rubber gasket technology is blowout resistant and outperforms pre-cut gaskets. Specified on production lines by GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-Benz. Temperature range -75F to 450F (-59C to 232C) continuous, 500F (260C) intermittent.; resists ATF, coolant, oil and other shop fluids. Protects against leaks caused by vibration and thermal expansion. Sensor-safe. Suggested Applications: Automotive and marine gaskets, valve covers, gearbox covers, pumps, compressors, oil pans, thermostat housings, water pumps Permatex Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker OEM specified. For dealership warranty requirements, ensures extended drivetrain warranty compliance. Fast-curing formula. Sensor safe, low odor, noncorrosive. Meets performance specs of OE silicone gaskets. Retains high flexibility, oil resistance properties through use of a patented adhesion system. Temperature range -65F to 500F (-54C to 260C) intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids and vibration. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, intake manifold end seals, timing covers, transmission pans Permatex Ultra Blue Multipurpose RTV Silicone Gasket Maker OEM specified. Permatex Ultra silicones were developed to meet todays technology changes. Sensor-safe, low odor, noncorrosive. Outstanding oil resistance and joint movement values. Eight times more flexible than cork/composite gaskets; three times more oil resistant than conventional silicones. Temperature range -65F to 500F (-54C to 260C) intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids and vibration. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, transmission pans, differential covers Permatex Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker OEM specified. Highest operating temperatures for 4-cylinder, turbocharged or high-performance engines. The most advanced, high temp RTV silicone gasket available. Sensor-safe, low odor, noncorrosive. Superior adhesion. Three times more oil resistant than conventional silicones; eight times more flexible than cut gaskets. Temperature range -75F to 700F (-59C to 371C) intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids and vibration. Suggested Applications: Exhaust manifolds/ headers, valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings Permatex Ultra Grey Rigid High-Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker OEM specified. Designed specially for high-torque and high vibration applications, like those common in import engines, this premium RTV gasket maker exceeds manufacturers' performance requirements. Noncorrosive and low-odor. Maximum vibration resistance, with outstanding resistance to oils, cooling and shop fluids. Guaranteed not to leak. Temperature range -65F to 500F (-54C to 260C) intermittent. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, intake manifold end seals, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings Permatex Water Pump & Thermostat RTV Silicone Gasket A noncorrosive, sensor-safe RTV silicone gasket material formulated specifically for water pumps and thermostat housings. Highest water-glycol resistance available in an RTV silicone. Temperature range of -65F to 500F (-54C to 260C) intermittent. Suggested Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings, transmission pans
This is an easy one... With the exception of high-temp applications (such as catalytic converters), the only sealer you will need is Loctite's 5900, aka The Right Stuff sold at Napa. Don't get the cheese-wiz cans, get the 6oz caulk gun tubes. After using sealers for 20+ years as a 'professional' auto tech, this stuff is by far better than anything else out there. I wish they had it back in the days of cork vc gaskets on SBC's, Fords and Olds. Would have saved a lot of comebacks.
Yep. The Right Stuff is in fact the right stuff. I've used lots of times and it works great. A couple times I didn't have time to go find an oil pan gasket, so I just used Right Stuff. Works great. The only exception for is the intake manifold. Just an old habit I guess, but I use clear GE Silicone for the end seals, and a TINY bit around the water ports when installing an intake manifold. I've never had a problem with leaks doing it that way. But, thinking about it, the Right Stuff would probably be better there, too. Have fun.
I'm a little more old school. permatex black silicone around the water jackets and the corners of the intake (intake, block and head gap) along with the rubber gasket. I then use Permatex Aircraft sealer espically for the paper gaskets. it's a black-brown gunk that sticks and seals really well but is a PITA to remove. You'll tear the gasket before you un stick it from the mating surfaces. -nate
