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Thread: Teflon tape?

  1. #1
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    Teflon tape?

    Hi all!
    After a couple attempts, I still have a leaking water pump bolt on my '93 302. Think a wrap of teflon tape could fix it? It's temperature rated to over 400degrees.
    Thanks, Sten
    FFR 5136 Started as a donor...donor guages, engine, trans,etc. Now...TFS street intake,stage 1 cam, GT40p's,24# injectors and 80mm MAF,70mm TB,Z-spec t-5, and PSE Halibrand wrapped with Nitto 555 G2’s. My ever evolving dream car!!

  2. #2
    Out Drivin' Gumball's Avatar
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    I like to use a couple of GM coolant system tablets to combat those sort of things. Just crush them up and drop in the filler.

    Some will say that using those is a crutch, but I've had quite a few engine builders recommend it and have never had leak issues.
    Later,
    Chris

    "There are no more monsters to fear, and so, we have to build our own."
    Mk3.1 #7074

  3. #3
    Senior Member DaleG's Avatar
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    Use hi-temp RTV as a thread sealant?
    SOLD 03/2013: MK II #5004: 5.0 EFI: 8.8, 3.55, E303, TW heads, GT40 intake, 24#, 70mm MAF

    Ordered MK IV Coyote Complete Kit.

  4. #4
    Senior Member BEAR-AvHistory's Avatar
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    +1 on Dales recommendation. Permatex makes a good one.
    Kevin
    MKIV #8234
    Coyote '14/TKO-600/3-Link 3:55 Rear
    I love the smell of 100 octane in the morning.
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  5. #5
    Seasoned Citizen NAZ's Avatar
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    Teflon tape will do nothing for you and causes so many problems I don't consider there to be any automotive use of this product. For tapered pipe threads there is nothing that works as good as Loctite PST in either stick form or in a tube and there are no bad side effects from this product like the stringy teflon tape. Been using PST since the 80's and it never fails on pipe threads even on high pressure hot hydraulic fittings. Never tried it on straight coarse threads like your application requires but in theory it may work as it fills gaps and turns to a plastic like barrier blocking leaks through threads. I've always had good luck using a generous amount of Permatex Ultra Black RTV after cleaning everything good including the threaded holes. However, some folks have had good luck specifically on water pump fasteners with some of the Loctite products specifically designed for sealing threads. There are a bunch of them so go on heir website and pick one. Loctite 545 hydraulic / pneumatic thread sealant may work as I know others that swear by it for this particular application. I'll keep using the Ultra Black as long as it works for me. Good luck and when you find the perfect sealant share with the rest of us.

  6. #6
    Curmudgeon mikeinatlanta's Avatar
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    Teflon tape is for sealing pipe threads, nothing more.
    MKII "Little Boy". 432CI all aluminum Windsor. .699 solid roller, DA Koni shocks, aluminum IRS, Straight cut dog ring T-5, 13" four piston Brembos, Bogart wheels. BOOM!

  7. #7
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    You may want to try Loctite Aviation Gasket sealer. It works excellent on bolt threads going into water jackets or into oil. It's available at NAPA auto parts stores, maybe others as well. Another great product is Mercrury Perfect-Seal used on their outboards and stern drives for any bolt going thru a water jacket or oil cavity.

    Also as NAZ recommended, Loctite PST is excellent at sealing threads but better suited for pipe threads. It tends to set up so hard that removal afterwards could be a challenge. Water pump bolts, head bolts and other similar type fasteners are likely to need to be serviceable. By the way, stainless steel pipe threads are difficult to seal and PST solves that problem very well.

  8. #8
    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DaleG View Post
    Use hi-temp RTV as a thread sealant?
    I agree. I also like Ultra-Grey as it has slightly thicker consistency.
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

  9. #9
    Blue Oval Scribe Mustang Man's Avatar
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    Permatex non-hardening #2 is perfect for that. I use it on the lower row of head bolts/studs in late-model small-block builds and on the water pump bolt threads, etc. Anything going into the coolant jacket. NEVER use thread tape on any engine fasteners. I don't like using silicone on bolts either, because it can make them tough to remove and leaves silicone bits in the threads of the hole. I DO like PST, mentioned above, but only for pipe fittings like coolant sensors and the like going into the intake or block.

    HTH...
    Mark
    Modified Mustangs & Fords Project Snake Charmer

    FFR5310 Mk 3 Roadster
    Tungsten Gray/Silver Stripes

  10. #10
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    I use ARP thread sealer for all my water, fuel, and air fittings. 9 years later, still no leaks. Tape is horrible: bits of it end up inside the pipe or fitting, and if you're past the filter, it's going into your engine.

    sealer.jpg

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by benkibler View Post
    I use ARP thread sealer for all my water, fuel, and air fittings
    +1 I try to use only ARP products on cars
    James

    FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
    My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
    Previous cars: GTD40, Cobra, tubeframe 55 Chevy, 66 Nova, 56 F100

  12. #12

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    Are you sure it's the threads? If you've tried a couple of times to fix it (and did the fix right), maybe it's a surrounding gasket instead of bolt threads.
    .boB "Iron Man"
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  13. #13
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    Ok... I got the message! I took the pump off, chased all the holes, re-assembled everything with #2 permatex, waited 2 days to cure and filled it up. Had one tiny leak which went way after a heat cycle. It has not returned!!
    I guess this one time NOT to think out of the box!
    Thanks, Sten
    FFR 5136 Started as a donor...donor guages, engine, trans,etc. Now...TFS street intake,stage 1 cam, GT40p's,24# injectors and 80mm MAF,70mm TB,Z-spec t-5, and PSE Halibrand wrapped with Nitto 555 G2’s. My ever evolving dream car!!

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