Itinerant Air-Cooled

Now another question:
The nosecone was formerly sealed to the gear carrier with just some silicone. However I have acquired the paper gasket that fits between them. Should I use

• (a) just the gasket
  (b) just the silicone
  (c) both

(I'm guessing the consensus is (b).)

I don't like silicone/RTV as a gasket for surfaces where clearances matter. The mainshaft bearing will pound out the nosecone with excess clearance, so I think here, it matters. Real engine sealants like Kuril, Permatex Aviation, or Hylomar actually compress and seal, where Silicones/RTVs can add a few thousandths to the parts stackup. I do not know what VW used, but I do know that many old posts on TheSamba talk about those gaskets being hard to find as of years and years ago. Good on 'ya for finding one. To play devil's advocate here, Permatex actually makes an RTV that is especially formulated to withstand the additives in hypoid oil.

http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-81182-Ge ... B0023GM2KK


So while this post doesn't actually make a decision for you, maybe you can make your judgement call a little more informed? I had good success with clean mating surfaces and Permatex Aviation only last year, but I only did a few thousand miles before I pulled the trans for a popping-gear issue.

Good luck!
Robbie

whc03grady wrote:Now another question:
The nosecone was formerly sealed to the gear carrier with just some silicone. However I have acquired the paper gasket that fits between them. Should I use

• (a) just the gasket
  (b) just the silicone
  (c) both
  d) gasket + Permatex Aviation

D
Colin