Do you spray your gaskets before putting them on?

Onefast99gsx · 05-08-2007

I was just about ready to put the front cover on. I have Mitsu OEM gaskets. Should I spray them with any gasket adhesive or just leave them as-is bolt the cover on?

Thanks

**JET** · 05-08-2007

I only spray the HG myself.

Onefast99gsx · 05-08-2007

Thanks JET, one last question before I bolt it on. I put the front cover gasket up against the block. I noticed there is various overhang in spots where there isn't even anything behind the gasket. Is this ok or am i supposed to trim it. This area in the picture on the right side of the crankshaft is at least 1/2 to 3/4" of overhang without any engine metal behind it.

Thanks!!!

Onefast99gsx · 05-08-2007

Well regardless of my last post, I bolted the front cover on shortly ago. I figured it would be stupid if you had to trim the gaskets. The cover went on nice. I coated all around the front main with vaseline and she slid right on.

Swifty1638 · 05-08-2007

Overhang won't hurt. As long as all the ports are open, and whatnot it will be ok. Copperspray the HG, as long as it's a non metal one. Also, hi-temp paint works too.

-A. Swift

Onefast99gsx · 05-09-2007

Well I just had the front cover sitting up against the block. I pulled it back off and sprayed a very light coat with my Copper Spray that I used on the HG a year ago. I did it just to be safe because there might have been a couple spots that I scratched the aluminum with a razor blade when I took old gasket material off. I'm sure it would have sealed just fine without the spray, I just needed piece of mind on this so I could move on. Rod bolts should be here Thurs. Once pistons are back in with the new bolts I can seal up the bottom end with the oil pan and then I'm off to an area that I'm comfortable with. This bottom end has been taking way too long but I've been extremely careful plus I've been taking pics along the way for reference.

Tomorrow or Thurs i'll put the B.shaft belt on. I suppose I'll spend an hour on that just figuring out if I have the right tension on it. The book calls for 5-7mm (.20 - .28") of deflection.

Thanks for all the help.

Pushit2.0 · 05-09-2007

Copper spray on gaskets like that keep it thin and let it dry for a while befor tighting it down, or the gasket might push out. Copper spray should be tacky/dry befor final torque on any gasket.

~John

Onefast99gsx · 05-09-2007

Hello John, I sprayed it on very thin just enough to change the color of the gasket, basically a mist. I let it tack up for a minute and then put the front cover on. I didn't noticed any pushing of the gaskets but what you said is good for future reference.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Onefast99gsx · 05-09-2007

Rather than starting a new thread, I'll just post in this one. I'm just going through all the bolt and plugs on my motor during assembly. I did have new balance shaft bearings put in. Can anyone tell me what these 2 screw in plugs are for. I took the plug out and tapped in there with small screwdriver and it seems like it is the back side of the balance shaft bearing. It doesn't go all the way through. In otherwards, It's a hole that goes nowhere. When the machine shop put the bearing was this hole supposed to line up with a hole on the bearing?

Onefast99gsx · 05-10-2007

While researching for something else, I found my answer.

" Note the screw in plug on the left (circled) - that is to allow the factory to drill the oilfeed hole from the bearing journal into the oil galley."

Looks like it's just a one time use thing when they made the blocks. The oil holes would be directly across from these screw in plugs.

Pushit2.0 · 05-10-2007

Yes that is so the oil galley to the front BS could be drilled, you can put the plugs back in or drill them out for a bigger AN plug.

~John

**1ViciousGSX** · 05-11-2007

Access points to allow Mitsu to drill into the inner oil gallery for the balance shafts.

Onefast99gsx · 05-17-2007

Since this pertains to gaskets, I'll just use this thread...

What do you engine builder guys recommend for gasket sealer for the rear main thing (pic attached)?

Do you normally use grey or black RTV?

I have a big chauk type tube of black engine RTV that I picked up to do the oil pan for when I put it on. Just wondering if it makes a difference on the rear main bracket thing.

Thanks.

Pushit2.0 · 05-17-2007

The rear main seal housing should have a gasket, and a little copper spray would not hurt. I use Black RTV for all oil needs and grey for coolent.

~John

**JET** · 05-17-2007

Yeah, shouldn't need any silicone in there, just the gasket. I am a big fan of Ultra Black for most everything.

Onefast99gsx · 05-17-2007

dam.. I ordered the full engine gasket kit from Brookdale Mitsubishi. I looked through everything last night and didn't come across a gasket for the rear main housing thing. I did some more reading up last night and I guess I'm wondering if the 6 bolts are the only ones that use a regular paper gasket for the rear main housing and the 7 bolts used RTV. Went to extremepsi also and they only show a gasket for that for 90-94.

Can you or anyone clearly confirm that the 7 bolts do indeed use a paper gasket? Come to think of it, I don't remember scraping paper gasket material off it but that was several months ago. I don't remember.

Thanks guys!

**Goat Blower** · 05-17-2007

Just put a real light coat of black RTV on there and call it done.

Onefast99gsx · 05-17-2007

Thanks Steve. Will do.

Pushit2.0 · 05-17-2007

Mitsu service manual says for oil pan and rear main seal housing on 96+ 4g63 use Mitsu part#MD970389 or equal, so black RTV will be good. I should have looked it up in the first place.

~John

Onefast99gsx · 05-17-2007

Thanks John. You guys sure have been helpful during this rebuild. Once I get everything sealed up with the oil pan, I'll be on common ground. I just want to be extremely careful on the bottom end since I've never did a DSM bottom end before.