Engine Sealing, Gaskets, and

Fastener Torque
Chapter 51

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Objectives
Order the correct gaskets for a variety of engine
repair jobs
Explain the theory related to torque and
clamping force
Understand the role that friction plays when
tightening parts
Describe the differences between types of head
gaskets

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 Objectives (cont'd.)
Understand the theory behind torque-to-yield
fasteners
Select the correct sealer for use in a variety of
applications

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Introduction
This chapter deals with a very important area
Sealing lubricants and coolants within the engine
Leaks
Unprofessional
Lead to serious mechanical part failures

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Clamping Force
Avoid leaks by applying clamping force on two
parts that are held together
Clamping force results from:
Tension or stretch on bolts securing two pieces
Springiness of a gasket between parts
Clamping force will change if threads are not
clean and undamaged
Cleanliness is very important when assembling
parts

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Torque and Friction
Torque
Measurement of twisting effort required to tighten
a fastener
Amount of fastener clamping force changes with
use of lubricants
90% of torque applied in tightening a fastener is
used to overcome friction
Final 10% provides clamping force
Fastener threads must be sealed and lightly oiled

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Torque Wrenches
Torque is measured with a torque wrench
Types
Beam wrench
Click (spring) wrench
Dial torque wrench
Torque measured in foot-pounds or inch-pounds
Metric measurement is Newton-meter
Digital torque wrenches
More expensive
Purported to be as accurate as dial torque
wrenches
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Torque-to-Yield
Normal head bolt torque values
Calculated safety factor 25% less than maximum
Clamping force is 75% of potential for size
Head bolts
Produce clamping force of 200%
Torque-to-yield
Tighten bolts to within 2% of yield point
Consistent clamping force and fatigue resistant
Work well with aluminum heads

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Torque by Degrees
Torque turn (i.e., torque angle)
Ensures equal tightness of fasteners
Method
Tighten the bolt to specified torque
Turn it additional 35 to 180 degrees
Torque angle gauge
Measures how far a fastener is turned

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Fastener Clamping Load
Preload
Clamping load on a fastener
Ways to measure preload
Torque wrench
Torque angle gauge
Measure bolt stretch
Both ends must be accessible

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Gaskets and Seals
Gaskets: installed between two surfaces to
prevent leaks
Can be purchased individually or in sets
Modern head gaskets: difficult to seal
Non-retorque composite gasket: has facing,
coating, and core
Graphite-faced gaskets: premium
Teflon, moly, or silicone-based antifriction
coating: seals minor surface imperfections

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Gaskets and Seals (contd.)
Metallic head gasket: single and multilayer
Multilayer steel gaskets more common as
cylinder head gaskets
Gasket should be appropriate for surface texture
Surface texture: measured by roughness average
Copper head gaskets
Used for corrosive and high-vibration uses
No-retorque gaskets
Resistant to compression
Bolt stretch does not diminish clamping force
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 Cleaning the Head
Clean before assembly
Use sharp scraper to clean iron head and block
Clean aluminum heads with plastic scraper
Abrasive bristle discs can damage engine
Never use with a die grinder
Do not use them on aluminum head with
multilayer steel gasket
Do not use too coarse a grit
Do not clean ghost marks
Do not to clean in one area longer than another
Remove material thrown about by the discs
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 Head Gasket Installation
Head gaskets perform most difficult sealing job
Sealing of combustion is very critical
Clamping pressure on bolts greater than
combustion pressure
75% of clamping load on head bolts used to seal
combustion
Match new gasket to old one or to block and
head
Cooling and oil holes do not match up: serious
problems result

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Other Engine Gaskets
Other gaskets are used at several locations in
the engine

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Valve Cover, Timing Cover,
and Oil Pan Service
Valve cover gaskets: molded to shape of cover
Oil pan gaskets: made of several pieces
Sheet metal parts: often become distorted when
tightening bolts

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 Valve Cover, Timing Cover,
and Oil Pan Service (cont'd.)
Cork used in vintage applications
Shrinks in the presence of air
Rubberized cork
Does not shrink
Silicone and neoprene gaskets are the best
Expensive, but sometimes reusable
Paper gaskets
Require sealer
Intake manifold gaskets
Must be resistant to air and water leaks
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Valve Cover, Timing Cover,
and Oil Pan Service (cont'd.)
Exhaust manifold gaskets
Not usually found on new cast iron heads
Gaskets used once parts are separated for
service
Bottom of exhaust manifold uses O-ring gasket
Chemical gaskets
Silicone or chemical sealers
Not used for head gasket or fuel systems gasket
Anaerobic sealers cure without air
Used only on precision machine parts
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 Gasket Sealers
Gasket sealers purposes
Help gaskets seal
Hold gaskets in place
Substitute for gaskets
hardening gasket cements
Do not use as sealers in automotive applications
Anaerobic adhesive sealers (i.e., threadlockers)
Blue: parts may need disassembly
Red: parts not intended to be disassembled

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 Silicone-RTV Sealant
Room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) (i.e.,
silicone rubber)
Cures when exposed to air
Many gaskets can be eliminated by using a bead
of RTV applied by a robot
Sets faster in warm temperatures and high
humidity
Develops skin in 15 minutes
Sets completely in a day

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 Silicone-RTV Sealant (cont'd.)
Low-volatile RTV
Used on vehicles equipped with oxygen sensors
High-temperature RTV
Adding iron oxides to RTV increases its
temperature rating by 50-100F
Teflon tape or liquid thread sealer
Threads can be sealed with Teflon tape
Rubber cement sealers
Popular and easy to use
Thicken with exposure to air
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 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Seals
Dynamic seals (i.e., chevron seals)
Seal moving parts
Seal installation
Several items of concern
Front seals
Usually lip-type seals with a garter spring
Camshaft seals on OHC heads
Located behind camshaft sprocket(s)

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
 Rear Main Seals
Leaking rear seal
Can destroy a clutch
Newer engines use neoprene lip seal
Be sure crankshaft rear sealing surface is clean
and smooth
Sealer must be applied to flywheel bolts to
prevent oil leakage from interior of oil pan

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Transmission Front Pump Seal
Keeps transmission oil from leaking between
torque converter and transmission oil pump
Becomes brittle with age
If seal fails: transmission fluid leaks from
between engine and transmission
Often replaced as preventative when engine
overhauled

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning