Sealing the case halves: where does the sealant go?

[Ho Hum 74]

In Wayne's book he indicates putting the orange goop one the mating surfaces surrounding the case through bolts. Others have indicated this is not necessary. I'm concerned about getting goop on the bearing surfaces when the case halves go together.

What' the right answer? I'm thinking about putting it on but stopping short of the main crank bearings.

Tristan

[Doug Zielke]

Any excess is dissolved and washed away by the engine oil.

[rcwaldo]

this why the 574 needs to be applied carefully and deliberately. Yes some will ooze (engineering term) out on both sides of the mating surfaces, but like Doug said, the rest will disolve in the oil...

[Wayne 962]

Right - the theory on putting it on the inside is that the sealant will be slightly thick. You don't want the case bowed when you bolt it together because there's no gasket material in the center. This is standard procedure for mounting and sealing just about anything, whether it's a 911 engine or a unit on a satellite.

That's the theory - in reality the thickness of the 574 layer is probably inconsequential.

-Wayne