The original factory gasket used no RTV. The felpro gaskets are a nice rubber coated steel that do a great job sealing everything, as long as you torque the bolts correctly (in other words, don't just tighten until you cant tighten anymore, use a torque wrench.) RTV can be used, but when you need to do this job again in 5 or so years, you will have a hell of a time cleaning RTV off the block to prepare for the new gasket. Old RTV can be a b**** to get off - I recommend against using it unless it does not seal correctly without it.

Use teflon pipe thread sealer on the bolts in the same places the factory did (you can see the old stuff before you clean it off). Then you wont lose coolant through the bolt holes when the job is done.

My thoughts exactly. If the factory didn't need RTV, then you shouldn't either. I didn't use any RTV on my brother'* WP and it hasn't leaked since I put it on 6 months ago.

Keep in mind this is the same "factory" that brought you Dex-cool anti-freeze. If you don't know what a rogered-up deal that was, do a search. And the "factory" warranty was in the 30,000 mile neighborhood, after that, you're on your own.
RTV is < $5 a tube. My time to do it over is worth a lot more than $5.
I used grey Permatex sensor safe RTV, everyone else is welcome to utilize their own grey matter.

Dex-kill sucks. Thats a given. But we're talking about a Vin C that uses the good old green stuff that doesn't eat up gaskets and sludge up passageways.

All I'm saying is that tons and tons of 3800'* with waterpumps have lasted well over 100k miles that from the factory didn't have RTV. Its my personal opinion that adding RTV on a gasket that never had it from the factory is just creating more of a mess in the future than you have to. Its is in my personal experience with replacing waterpumps on vin c 3800'* that one does not need RTV and that pulling apart and cleaning a RTV'd waterpump in the future is a needless PITA when RTV isn't necessary in the first place.

Just my two cents

The color of the antifreeze isn't the issue, the point is that the factory is capable of making such a huge mistake, yet some want to put blind faith in "factory" processes. Just because that is how it left the dealer'* lot, does not make it the best way. RTV forms a vulcanized seal whereas the gasket relies merely on bolt pressure. RTV seals better.

This one is beaten to death anyway, since his car isn't even running at the moment. :briding: