uses for seal packing?

I was reading up on how to replace a valve cover gasket, and noticed
the requirement for "seal packing" before installing a new valve cover
gasket.

Is seal packing required/recommended when installing a new
transmission pan gasket?

Where else should seal packing be used?

Thanks,

Michael

I wouldn't use any RTV, sealant or even thread lockers on tranny pan
bolts. There are some head bolts going into the water jacket on some
engines, and those use teflon sealants.

The thing with RTV is that once you punched open the tube it gradually
dries out.

If you do the valve cover gasket, also change the PCV valve grommet
and valve if not done recently.

On Oct 8, 4:40 pm, mrdarr...@ wrote:
> Ok, thanks.  I read somewhere that someone had used seal packing
> around the screws holding the trans pan, and I thought, whoops, I
> should have done that... never mind then.
>
> I'm considering doing a valve cover gasket change (myself, for the
> first time), and a good thing I read the directions closely from
> camrystuff.com - seal packing is not optional, eh...
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

johngd...@m wrote:
> The thing with RTV is that once you punched open the tube it gradually
> dries out.
====
When I close an opened RTV tube, I first squeeze out apx. 1/4" sealant
then push on the cap right through it and thread it back in place.
Sort of uses the sealing ability of the material to seal the cap, then
it peels away easily enough on the next use.
Not saying this is perfect, but it does seem to help quite a bit.

On Oct 8, 6:33 pm, johngd...@m wrote:
> I wouldn't use any RTV, sealant or even thread lockers on tranny pan
> bolts. There are some head bolts going into the water jacket on some
> engines, and those use teflon sealants.
>
> The thing with RTV is that once you punched open the tube it gradually
> dries out.
>
> If you do the valve cover gasket, also change the PCV valve grommet
> and valve if not done recently.
>
> On Oct 8, 4:40 pm, mrdarr...@ wrote:
>
> > Ok, thanks. I read somewhere that someone had used seal packing
> > around the screws holding the trans pan, and I thought, whoops, I
> > should have done that... never mind then.
>
> > I'm considering doing a valve cover gasket change (myself, for the
> > first time), and a good thing I read the directions closely from
> > camrystuff.com - seal packing is not optional, eh...
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Michael

Update -- it looks like I might not need to replace my valve cover
gasket (not immediately, at least).

I got a 30mm socket from Lowe's ($8, not bad) and discovered the valve
cover nuts were quite loose. I tightened them. This should stop the
oil seep that I discovered (and that led me to believe the valve cover
gasket needed replacing).

I had the valve cover gasket replaced 2 years ago at Pep Boys.

Thanks,

Michael

That should hold it for a while. Most valve covers without stoppers
(or little standoffs) would benefit.

This design is not ideal. Because the large spark plug tube seals
compress easily and you lose clamping force. Most shops won't bother
waiting 30 min. and retorque. That's why I say, for example, the Honda
design is much better.

On Oct 17, 9:46 am, mrdarr...@ wrote:
> Update -- it looks like I might not need to replace my valve cover
> gasket (not immediately, at least).
>
> I got a 30mm socket from Lowe's ($8, not bad) and discovered the valve
> cover nuts were quite loose.  I tightened them.  This should stop the
> oil seep that I discovered (and that led me to believe the valve cover
> gasket needed replacing).
>
> I had the valve cover gasket replaced 2 years ago at Pep Boys.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael