TA-31 and FE oil pan questions

[blykins]

It does make a difference if it's chlorinated or non-chlorinated brake cleaner. One will leave a residue and the other won't. I'm having trouble remembering which is which right now, just started on my morning coffee, but I can find out.

I hate gaskets.

[Gaz64]

Every engine I have assembled (customers or my own) does not get oil added until the sealant has FULLY set.

Oil will creep if an RTV sealant has not set.

Sounds like you have done a good job, cleanliness, flat surface etc, but there might be a "gap" in your procedure.

I agree with Blykins, I hate gaskets as well.

[philminotti]

It sounds like you were meticulous during the assembly….just make sure you're not chasing a leak from somewhere else.

That being said, I have the same block and pan as you and I used Milodon gaskets. I used The Right Stuff on all mating surfaces. No leaks. Of course, it will be damn near impossible to get the pan off if I ever have to . That stuff is brutal.

I do like TA-31 though. I used it on my intake, which had front and rear gaps large enough for small rodents to crawl through and no leaks. And TA-31 is far easier to disassemble than The Right Stuff. I'm kind of surprised that the TA-31 isn't working out for you.

To answer some of your questions:

I used brake cleaner. Lots. I'm sure I have liver cancer already.
I didn't roughen any surface.
One word: STUDS
No loctite
No retorque

And I'm sure you know this, but don't over torque that pan. I did my first time and dimpled the snot out of it. It took me several hours with a ball peen hammer to fix it.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

It does make a difference if it's chlorinated or non-chlorinated brake cleaner. One will leave a residue and the other won't. I'm having trouble remembering which is which right now, just started on my morning coffee, but I can find out.

I used non-chlorinated. You can't get the good stuff if CA.

[lippy]

I'm going to use acetone to clean the surfaces this time and maybe try Right Stuff between the top gasket and block, and bottom gasket and pan. I was looking at the instructions for Right Stuff and it says everything needs to be put together and torqued in 5 min. Considering there is a windage tray, oil pickup, and about 20 bolts and studs to assemble, how is it even remotely possible to get everything torqued in 5 min? How do you use this stuff when there is a lot to assemble?