Topic: Silk Thread - no oil leaks

[AndyN]

Hi,

Has anyone ever used any on the engine case, cylinder or heads?
It's used in aviation quite often, I have used in the past on smaller auto engines with success for no leaks.

Just curious or does the Honda bond and permatex work out fine?

Thanks,
Andy

[flybox1]

I use Threebond (1184) without issue.  Cleans off easily, too.

[AndyN]

Example in the photo of the Silk Thread.

[flybox1]

I use at least half that amount of Threebond.
shouldnt need much of anything if the case mating surfaces are flat and prepped correctly.

[Bailgang]

I've never had a problem with crank case halves on my Honda's leaking when using Threebond to begin with. The only problem I see with using silk thread is that it may keep the 2 halves of the crank case from mating properly and that may be critical especially where the main bearings meet.

[PeWe]

Very thin layer of sealer on my CB750 keep it leak free. (Except for Hylomar blue which caused a leak)
Back in the days  Hermetite Golden no longer available, last time Hondabond. I think to not use too much while I seal the surfaces, both sides and very very thin. No additional sealer blocking the oil passages, especially up to the head and cam.

[DaveBarbier]

I've seen the silk thread method and schelak, pretty cool and simple. But I used Loctite 518 on my case and loved working with it. No leaks yet and I'm very confident I won't.


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1978 Honda CB550K

[trueblue]

I've seen the silk thread method and schelak, pretty cool and simple. But I used Loctite 518 on my case and loved working with it. No leaks yet and I'm very confident I won't.


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1978 Honda CB550K

The best part of loctite 515 or 518 is they don't go off unless in an anaerobic environment, which means there will be no bead on the inside to break off and clog small orifices.  The uncured sealant will also mix with oil harmlessly and simply disappear in the next oil change.  I use both regularly at work, the 515 is a hard curer and the 518 remains flexible.  They also have a very thin film thickness, one thing most people don't think about when using sealants, which is important where tolerances are tight.  If memory serves correctly the 515/518 film is usually less .001" whereas RTV type sealants are closer to .003" IIRC.