Old timer at the shop told me to slow down on oil pan gaskets

So I was doing a timing cover reseal on a 5.3L Chevy last week and this guy Bob who's been turning wrenches since the 80s walks past and goes 'you're gonna be doing that job again in six months.' He pointed out I was zipping the bolts down with my impact and not letting the RTV tack up before mating the surfaces. I always thought I was saving time but he showed me how the sealant was just squeezing out and not doing its job. Switched to hand threading everything and waiting 10 minutes before putting the pan on. Did the job over two days and it fired up dry as a bone. You guys ever have a old timer call you out on something basic like that and it completely change your process?

2 comments

2 Comments

river1821mo ago

Wait, you were zipping TIMING COVER bolts with an impact? Dude, that's wild. I have to admit I've done the same thing on oil pans before and wondered why they'd weep after a few months. Bob is a legend for calling that out because I bet half the guys on here don't let RTV tack up either. Ten minutes feels like a lifetime when you're trying to wrap up a job but it's clearly worth it. I'm definitely going to start hand threading everything from now on.

reese1771mo ago

My buddy Rich used an impact on valve cover bolts once and snapped three of them clean off in the head. Had to drill and easy-out them on a Sunday. He still brings it up every time we wrench together like it was a traumatic life event lol.