Any reason you did not go with RTV instead of the original gasket? Any tips or issues with getting the new timing cover front seal in?

 

I can't remember which is stronger, red or green Loctite. Whichever is stronger, use that.

 

i replaced the front seal, wear sleeve too. i put a p pump on my truck so i was doing alot of work. im not a fan of rtv, i hate it with a passion. i spend the money everytime for gaskets. gaskets makes everything look cleaner

 

That chunk of steel you just bolted in there is bigger than the one it it supposed to be protecting against.

 

Ok. I was thinking about going with the Cummins gasket as well. Then I thought about the difficulty of keeping the gasket on that hugh cover perfectly in place while trying to get the seal over the crank shaft. Did you let your gasket set up on the cover with some type of adhesive to keep it in place when installing that cover? There was a wear sleeve on there...so I take it the seal was replaced previously then?

 

Use some sewing thread and tie it to the cover until you start the bolts then cut it off.

 

A drop of engine builders grease or white lithium grease will hold the gasket in place. Or get two bolts of the same thread size, and making sure they will be long enough, cut the heads off. Now you have a pair of guide studs. If you want to get extra fancy you can take your cutting wheel to them and cut a place for a flathead screw driver to go on the shank of the bolt. Slip the gasket over the studs so it doesn't go anywhere, then put the cover back on. 2 cover bolts later, take the studs out and viola!

 

i live on a farm and we had this gasket adhesive we got from our local case ih dealer, it worked good held the gasket on no problem. it was like $3. it was just called gasket adhesive

 

Appreciate the feedback. As I am new to Cummins motors so I just want to make sure I get all info ahead of time. I don't care about the extra cost of a gasket only want to do the job once. Don't want to have to pull it right back apart again because of an oil leak at the cover. I know the TST kit folks use Grey RTV. Not sure how well that works out while trying to get the new crank seal slipped over the alignment sleeve. That 1/8 inch bead of RTV might not work out to well...

 

I bought a 98 12 valve dodge for a cummins swap in a 89 chevy crew cab . Before I dropped it in I did the dowel pin , and after 183,xxx it was out about 3/16 of an inch. I peened it , then tabbed it , and tightened the case bolts (which were also loose) . In my mind it was the best time I have spent with the engine. Just my .02