I used the RTV specifically made for water pumps and thermostats. No complaints.
Mike
Make yourself a couple studs by cutting the heads off some long bolts, make some slats so you can remove it with a flathead. Slide the gasket on, the slide the pump over them. Get everything torqued down, remove the studs and replace with boltsYou must be registered for see images attach
Threads. A few go through the timing cover, which could leak coolant into the crankcase.Thanks guys. As far as the rtv on the bolts....on the threads or just around the shoulder?
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You'd have to use some really small studs to slide a waterpump on in a van engine bay. I think that would only work if the radiator was pulled. If the rad was in place, that would be a PITA to fish that waterpump on without scuffing the mating surfaces.
As for Jayro's original question, I always apply a thin layer of t-stat/waterpump-rated RTV (I think it was grey) on both sides of my gasket. It holds the gasket on the waterpump while installing the pump, and i don't trust my IDI to just a plain gasket anymore. When I did my recent rebuild, the only gasket I didn't use gasket+RTV, and it leaked almost right away. All the rest, no leaks after 13,000 miles.
However i wouldn't do a WP with the radiator still in anyway unless...well I cant think of a single reason actually.