All you have to do is let the RTV "skin over."

In his case, where he has used it in more places than just the corners of the ends, he'* going to want to let it harden - not just skin over - to get the seal he'* looking for.

Ok I thought he was just using it in the corners. I'll go back and hide in my spider hole so willwren can't find me.

Mac, any time it'* used around something that coolant will get to, you want it to cure for at least a couple hours.

In this case, I'm betting that due to the coolant elbow issues we've had in the past, he did what I did on EK98'* car, and pre-lubed the o-rings on the elbow with RTV. That'* one you want to cure for at least a couple hours. Or you have to tear the whole top end off again to fix the leak.

willwren:

You're talking about letting the RTV cure after the parts are assembled and before being exposed to coolant right?

What I was refering to is letting the RTV skin over BEFORE assembling the parts and letting it FULLY cure AFTER being assembled.

Just so no one gets the wrong idea about me.

On the coolant elbow, you're using the RTV as an assembly lube. You can't let it skin over. It needs to stay soft so you can assemble everything. That coolant elbow has to slide into the LIM and accessory bracket at the same time, and they are positioned perpendicular to each other.

Rob, I thought your dad had a C4 vette, that looks like a C5 vert in the garage, sweeeeet.

His last one was a Red 92 coupe, but that was sold over 5 years ago. She sounds good....borla exhaust and K&N intake system. I tried to start it when he wasn't home yesterday....deader than a door ****. Starter only clicked a few times and the relay clicks sounded weak as hell.

Last day for 1/2 price sale at Sears

im on that! thanks!