!!Using Permatex RTV as Base Gasket!!! Read Before You Proceed

[ultramaxracing05]

i recently did a top end on my engine, new pistons bored sleeves and etc.
well today was the 3rd time i had to pull out my engine to be able to make a new base gasket, the past 2 i used PERMATEX RTV red, and i rode and ran fine until the base gasket blew out in about 15 mins of riding injesting water. here are some pictures i took..
this is the permatex tored after riding my ski this is less than 30hours old

this is the result of small amount of water in the engine mixing with my oil creating a paste inside the crankcase.

I went to Oreilleys and bought some gasket material for 6 dollars cheaper and thicker than original base gasket


this is my finished work thanks to me and my brother the engine got repaired in about 2 hours.

i hope this helps someone out before choosing the easy way out.

 

[Chester]

Why would you not use the proper OEM gasket? You should measure your squish band clearance. With that thick gasket, your squish band clearance will be way off (too big). With just RTV, the squish band clearance will be way too small. The reason that BRP has several different size base gasket is to properly set the squish band clearances to spec. Why risk it?

Chester

 

[kustomkarl]

I agree with Chester...for the price of the proper gasket...why chance blowing up your motor due to a lean or water ingestion problem...I know money is tight, but what's your labor time worth on top of engine damage?

Karl

 

[ski-d00]

So, are you trying to lower your compression because your ski is too fast? A much thicker base gasket will work perfect for you then.

 

[ultramaxracing05]

yeah i have to agree. but point is dont use permatex on it thats the leason i learned.

 

[PWCdoc]

A thicker base gasket will raise the exhaust ports and allow the motor to rev higher and give you a little more top end. And the easy way out is to just get the proper gasket in the first place. I actually got a chuckle :rofl: when I saw all that Permatex gobbed on there.

 

[Chester]

yeah i have to agree. but point is dont use permatex on it thats the leason i learned.

LOL!
There are 2 lessons here you learned. The second one? Don't use gasket material for a base gasket.

Chester

 

[kcr357]

I can beat that! Whenever I rebuilt the top end on my dirt bikes, I stacked the base gaskets(2-3) to move up the powerband. My material of choice? Cardboard from a case of Natty Light cut out by superimposing the old gasket onto the new material. Cant say I ever had a problem though.

 

[PWCdoc]

Now that's a MacGyver move for sure. I've stacked base gaskets too but also cut my own gasket back in the day as a "performance" move before the rules were changed to limit the thickness you could use. The rule at the time was that only one gasket could be used. Ok, that's cool...I'll just make my own. :^)