Rear Diff Cover... Gasket or Silicone

[Cobra1894]

What does everyone reccommend installing when replacing the rear diff gridle? I have heard just the gasket, just the silicone or both... What Type of silicone should I use if that is the better way? It both is best, do you place silicone on both sides of the gasket or just one side?

 

[jerryD]

your choice. one will say gasket, one will say just silicone/rtv. i myself just used a gasket only. i hate scraping rtv if the anything ever has to be changed. when i built my motor the only place i have rtv is on the oil pan at the front and rear and a little on the rear cap.

 

[Cobra1894]

I just do not want it to leak anytime soon.

 

[HISSIN50]

Since you asked, I use both. A very light coating of Copper RTV and then the gasket. Otherwise, I know it will leak (as it is, when the stock cover flexes, it dribbles). You mentioned girdle, so that should not be an issue. If the gasket on the girdle is nice and thick, go for just a gasket.
Just what I do/would do.
Good luck.

 

[BlownStangGT]

every time I did work on a rear,i as well as everyone I worked with used blue rtv or black rtv...both worked great

 

[marine_2003]

I just changed my fluid yesterday and used the blue rtv ran a bead and circled to holes for the screws and i have no problem with leaks.

 

[mustangjoe87]

yep, when i did mine all i had around was red RTV i ran a nice thick bead around the cover and holes, worked great. maybe even cheaper? i never priced out the gasket

 

[Cobra1894]

I have black RTV laying around so I think Im going with just the silicone... Plan on doing that tonight...Thanks for the input

 

[kck6894]

I only use a gasket on mine and it has a girdle. I even reuse the gasket most of the time. Sure save time over scraping off all the RTV. After The first use of the gasket it will just kinda seep a little. The cover gets dirty but never actually drips.

 

[Shakerhood]

I use a FMS Gasket with my Girdle and a VERY thin coating of RTV on the rubber gasket.

 

[Cobra1894]

The gasket that I got with the gridle is a thick paper gasket. Should I go to the parts store and get a rubber gasket?

 

[89MustangGX]

I've used gaskets and RTV -- I see no clear advantage to one over the other. What the gasket makes up for in not being messy, it can sometimes be a pain to align and keep flat. I just use RTV now.