I’m worried that scraping the gasket surface of the front of the block with a razor or using green scotch brite could’ve done something to make the new gasket seal improperly. I was careful, but I’m not an expert and I’m paranoid. Should I use anything like black silicone? I’ve got the high oil resistance type, which I used on the new water pump/front cover that’ll be installed. Or should I just spray tacking on it and install the gasket? The front cover came from RockAuto with a gasket - not sure if it’s a lousy one. It was a budget front cover…

 

I personally use "some" Right Stuff on the front cover gasket. When I mean use Right Stuff I mean I dab my finger in it and just apply a super light coat which is so thin you can see the gasket material thru the Right Stuff. I've used that method for years and I've had zero issues.

 

I don't use anything other than the gasket. Either way works. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

The big concern is around the coolant ports, you don’t want that leaking behind the front cover into the oil. I see a lot of gasket material left in that area. Try searching for 3m Roloc discs here. They make quick work of gasket cleanup.

 

Almost clean, but there’s some extremely stubborn adhesive on the left coolant port - going to try acetone later - I didn’t have any yesterday, got some from a neighbor. Then I’ll shine up the rest of the surfaces and maybe try to flush out the scotch brite dust and brake cleaner that got into the coolant ports by pouring water through the upper hose that went to the old thermostat? I think it enters the block from the front center (metal pipe at that point). Should I bother? Or I could try to remove the plugs in the lower part of the block, but I can’t get an answer on exactly which plugs they are. I think I identified them, but not sure - added the pictures (with red arrows) at the bottom in case anyone can help. Not sure how much to torque those either and if I need sealant on the threads - couldn’t find this info.





Coolant draining ports? OK to do this while front end of vehicle is lifted? I could pour water through the inlet as well as the two coolant ports on the front of the block. Later, I could flush the heater core. Then put it all back together and flush a few more times pulling the lower radiator hose to be sure.



I think it’s the maroon (dark red) hose/pipe (marked “8”) I’d want to pour water through to get debris to come out of the coolant ports?

Square head bolt that will allow coolant to drain from block? Also, what’s that sensor? I’ll clean it.

The other square head bolt that’ll allow coolant to drain out?

 

I’m afraid to just put the gasket back on without anything else in case the surfaces aren’t perfect. Not sure if sealant would help or not though. I don’t have the sealant mentioned above, but is it that much different from black max oil resistance silicone? If the black silicone works, I’d like to use it since I’ve got it already, but otherwise I’ll go get that stuff.

 

From the pictures the gasket surface looks ok as long as there are not major gouges or scratches on the surface. I usual put these on dry with hi tack but I use this gasket usually:

https://www.roverparts.com/engine/ga...seals/ERR7280/

not sure what came with your rockauto cover.

Also those are coolant drain ports in your picture, I have personally never used them. I can’t imagine they are torqued down that tight and probably have some sort of RTV to seal them. However they could be seized so to corrosion so I would be careful if they don’t loosen easy.

 

Thanks, maybe I won’t loosen those bolts… Should I dump water in through the inlet to push out whatever got in there? Scotch brite dust, maybe brake cleaner…

Does that gasket from AB already have some sealant on it? The black stuff? I think the one I’ve got is just black paper. Hopefully these aren’t bad parts. I replaced the seal in the front cover with a Corteco (someone said to do that).

 

Yes there is a seal integrated into the gasket from AB.

 

Corteco is the way to go, yep.

Regarding the front cover gasket. Get the one from AB or Rovers North (AB will be faster). You've gone through a lot getting to this point, don't skimp on the gasket.