Best sealant for camshaft core plug ??

[dan juhasz]

I had to take apart work that was recently finished because the camshaft core plug started to leak. Looks like the machine shop used silicone . They also just made the plug flush with the machined surface , pretty sure by leaving it like that you miss installing the widest part of the plug.
Anyway what is the preferred sealant on a core plug going into oil? I’ve used high tack and also permatex aviation sealant. Are there better sealants for this plug?
Dan

 

[zyzzyx]

I like using Loctite 515 or 518.

 

[dan juhasz]

I like using Loctite 515 or 518.

Is that the red anerobic sealer ?

 

[R413]

Permatex#2 get it just past flush, but not very far in.

 

[dan juhasz]

Permatex#2 get it just past flush, but not very far in.

Won’t the new one hit the stop in the bore? As pictured

 

[R413]

Won’t the new one hit the stop in the bore? As pictured

View attachment 1829826

maybe. Is the cam all the way back?
Rotate engine and it will be all the way back.

 

[zyzzyx]

The main difference between 515 and 518 is gap filling. The 518 is for up to 0.020. Higher temp too.

 

[gtx6970]

Ive always use Locktite anerobic sealer from a tube

Havent had one leak or pop back out yet ( knocks on wood )

 

[khryslerkid]

End of the cam looks dry. Any assembly lube used?

 

[dan juhasz]

End of the cam looks dry. Any assembly lube used?

This has been driven already probably 120 miles before the leak started.

maybe. Is the cam all the way back?
Rotate engine and it will be all the way back.

It’s a roller with a cam button in the front, that’s as back as it’s going.

 

[dan juhasz]

As a follow up I called Permatex and spoke to their sealant tech guy. He said definitely use the old school hardening Permatex #1 paste in the tube.

 

[RemCharger]

As a follow up I called Permatex and spoke to their sealant tech guy. He said definitely use the old school hardening Permatex #1 paste in the tube.

Another follow up, I took a look at a mill I'm building, the machine shop boys put it in flush. Which is what I would do, the step is in too far. You gain nothing going further in

 

[toolmanmike]

I had to take apart work that was recently finished because the camshaft core plug started to leak. Looks like the machine shop used silicone . They also just made the plug flush with the machined surface , pretty sure by leaving it like that you miss installing the widest part of the plug.
Anyway what is the preferred sealant on a core plug going into oil? I’ve used high tack and also permatex aviation sealant. Are there better sealants for this plug?
Dan

View attachment 1829809

View attachment 1829810

View attachment 1829811

View attachment 1829812

Small block?

 

[MarkLevi]

Small block?

Pretty much the polar opposite of that....

 

[toolmanmike]

Pretty much the polar opposite of that....
View attachment 1830386

Sorry, not seeing much detail on my phone.

 

[MarkLevi]

...old school hardening Permatex #1...

Definitely something 'hard-setting' there - may see 100psi (or more?) oil pressure there. Not the 16-or-so psi of a water jacket. Just my 2¢

*Edit to acknowledge @Geoff 2 's comment below without needlessly bumping the whole thread.

 

[MarkLevi]

Sorry, not seeing much detail on my phone.

Hemi manifold heat tube block-off plates. I noticed them on the 2nd look after you posed the question. I'm always on a PC - never on my phone... I forget that the rest of the modern world is the other way around! LOLz (I'm a dinosaur)

 

[Geoff 2]

No, there is NOT 100 psi there. Very little pressure actually, just crankcase blowby pressure. See the 2 holes in the back of the cam brg? That allows the oil to flow back into the pan so there is no pressure build up.

Dan,
Are you sure the leak was from the cam plug? Sil should have sealed it & is still the best sealant to use. Roughen the surface on the plug for good adhesion & wipe both surfaces with lacquer thinners.

 

[451Mopar]

I have used Indian Head Gasket Shellac for years with no problems, and it is inexpensive too.
Permatex® Original Gasket Shellac Compound, 2 OZ - Permatex®
Looking for a more modern, maybe better product, I'm going to try the Vibra-Tite 550 Core Plug Sealant on the next engine build.
Vibra-Tite 550 Core Plug Sealant Retaining Compound

The Vibra-Tite 550 is supposed to compete with the Loctite 540 Core Plug Sealant. From what I see on-line the Vibra-Tite is a bit less expensive than the Loctite 540
All the listings for the Loctite 540 are for 250mL at around $172 (on Amazon), The 250mL of Vibra-Tight is listed for $117 (on Amazon), but you can buy a smaller 50mL bottle for $21.62 (amazon)

 

[dan juhasz]

Small block?

Hemi