Water Pump Question

[jigsaw71]

Hello,

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with a 5.3 and I am in the process of getting all the stuff I need for a water pump replacement and I have a question. In the Chilton manual it says to put a thin layer of rtv on each side of the gasket and then put the gasket on the water pump and then on the block. Is there some kind of trick that the pros use when putting on the rtv? I obviously do not want to put on too much and have it ooze into the water pump, but I also do not want to put on too little and have to take it all apart because it is leaking. Anyone have any tips for me about this, I only want to do this once and that is all. Oh yeah, does anyone have any thoughts on the click type torque wrenches? Are they better or the same as the old torque wrenches? Thanks.

[Draenor]

Now that I think of it, I never used a gasket, just RTV. My guess is that the thin layer the manual is calling for is to keep the gasket in place. I just put a nice 1/4 in bead on the pump, wait about 10minutes to tack up and install.

 

As for a torque wrenches. I use a clicker style from craftsman. Works fine for me. I'd like to get a digital one if I could ever affordo one.

[VR021302]

I just put RTV on the pump, then put the gasket on and install the pump onto the block. I agree that it is mainly to keep the gasket in place. I prefer the clicker style, as long as it is calibrated correctly.

[bill190]

Just get a couple of pieces of cardboard and practice!

 

Squirt some on, press down real hard, and see how far it oozes.

 

Don't need very much.