LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Coolant leak

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Old May 19, 2020 | 10:54 AM
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Default Coolant leak
I have a 97 Firebird lt1 6 speed manual with basic bolt ons
I’ve been having a coolant leaking problem ever since I’ve done a cam swap on this car it’s coming from the water pump and I replaced the gaskets with the basic paper ones u get at whtever parts store and it was never leaking when I just made the gasket from silicone from a tube so does anyone know if the paper ones are just junk or what, I have all the hoses and everything tight and no hoses r leaking either it’s just the water pump leaking
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Old May 19, 2020 | 11:16 AM
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From: Jackstandican
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dunno... every w/p install i've done i've just installed the gaskets dry. Wondering if the surface of the w/p is not very true....
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Old May 19, 2020 | 11:24 AM
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What do u mean not very true
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Old May 19, 2020 | 12:11 PM
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From: Jackstandican
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The seating surface of the water pump may not be flat. The silicone makes up for this in being able to cover a larger gap than a paper gasket.
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Old May 19, 2020 | 12:16 PM
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Ah, yes there is some tiny little bits out off the surface like it’s not smooth, so I should probably just get a new water pump or just make a silicone gasket on it
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Old May 19, 2020 | 03:45 PM
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Use the paper FelPro gaskets with a skim coat of Thermostat (grey) RTV on each side of the gasket. Mating surface on WP's & block surface often get pitted
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Old May 19, 2020 | 04:18 PM
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I used the felpro paper gaskets and it was still leaking I may just do silicone all the way
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Old May 19, 2020 | 10:12 PM
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Silicone and no paper gasket? I wouldn't. I've done paper gaskets dry and done it with a skim of RTV on them. No leaks either way. Are you using thread sealant on the bolts? Maybe that is your leak.
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Old May 19, 2020 | 11:06 PM
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From: Jackstandican
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Good point. The two lower bolts on each side of the w/p tap into water jackets. Sealant on the threads is a must.
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Old May 20, 2020 | 07:07 AM
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When I did my WP last year an ever so slight skim of RTV on the WP just to hold the gasket with none on the block (I sanded and scraped the block to like new condition after I removed the opti as well). Thread sealer on all 6 bolts.
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Old May 20, 2020 | 09:52 AM
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From: Jackstandican
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Originally Posted by Germansheperd1
Thread sealer on all 6 bolts.
Sealant only necessary on the two lowers.
Last edited by SS RRR; May 20, 2020 at 11:01 AM.
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Old May 20, 2020 | 10:33 AM
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I was in doubt at the time but I can tell you I have no leaks.
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