Reply To: Awkward Sump Gasket

[BernieParticipant]

Richard,

I would refer you to my June 2108 post above, in this same thread.  If you don’t want to read it all, I think the relevant bit to your question are :

• Final cutting-to-length (of the bearing cap seals) is an equally important step and can only be done properly once the seal is correctly seated in the bearing cap.  Both ends should be trimmed just a little proud of the bearing cap to ensure the seal will fully engage – and just interfere – with the sump gasket.  It is enough to just be able to feel the seal protruding above the surface of the cap.  It is equally important that the sump side gaskets are also correctly trimmed to fully fill the cut-away areas under the bearing caps before those gaskets are securely clamped between the caps and block casting.
• The point at which an end seal meets the main sump gasket and the adjacent area where the sump gasket sits under the bearing cap is one of the very few places in which I would advocate the use of a very thin layer of a non-hardening jointing compound such as Blue Hylomar – but not much and never use anything along the length of the main sump gaskets.
• Smearing a very light trace of grease on the inside curved surfaces at the ends of the sump will help the sump to slide over the seals as it is tightened into place thus minimising the danger of the digging into and dislodging or damaging the seals during assembly. 
• With the two reinforcing strips in place to spread the clamp load, the sump bolts should be tightened up evenly and in sequence to draw the sump squarely into place.

Hope this helps.

B…………..