Dry means dry. The only place you would seal is the thread sealer on the port bolts.
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Please help. Northstar freeze plug.
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The bolts will hold them in place but there is no guarantee they won't fall off.
I used some masking tape on the edge but it held no better than the bolts shifting the part around to line it up. There is a risk of the masking tape getting into the gasket surface & sticking, you would then have to pull it out again to clear the gasket surfaces. One did fall out of alignment but i was able to get it back into place & start the bolts.
This is the kind of crap that makes this a difficult task. The use of masking tape not very ideal.
All 8 bolts are held in place by the gaskets in this pic.
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You will notice the upper ports are different on the later model N* along with how the TB mounts.
The later model N* x-over looks like this.
I used some masking tape on the edge but it held no better than the bolts shifting the part around to line it up. There is a risk of the masking tape getting into the gasket surface & sticking, you would then have to pull it out again to clear the gasket surfaces. One did fall out of alignment but i was able to get it back into place & start the bolts.
This is the kind of crap that makes this a difficult task. The use of masking tape not very ideal.
All 8 bolts are held in place by the gaskets in this pic.
You will notice the upper ports are different on the later model N* along with how the TB mounts.
The later model N* x-over looks like this.
Some of the original sealant remains in the bolt threads, I just used a brush on pipe joint sealant sparsely applied.
There are many thread sealers out there to choose from, you only need a tiny amount.
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There are many thread sealers out there to choose from, you only need a tiny amount.
the crossover seals have changed colors over time for the 1999 and older... but are still the same design...
the 2000+ crossover seals haven't changed at all (that i know of)
and even though the lower ones look like they're the same between the -'99 and the '00+ they are different
the pump cover is very slightly changed in an update around the 2003 or 2004 years and it applies backwards to all years
you can tell the new design by the couple square ears around the edge
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the original design would sometimes weep a bit of coolant for some reason... the gasket has changed also so that's probably part of it
the 2000+ crossover seals haven't changed at all (that i know of)
and even though the lower ones look like they're the same between the -'99 and the '00+ they are different
the pump cover is very slightly changed in an update around the 2003 or 2004 years and it applies backwards to all years
you can tell the new design by the couple square ears around the edge
the original design would sometimes weep a bit of coolant for some reason... the gasket has changed also so that's probably part of it
Thanks Rippy, I'll be ordering the seals (and silicone hose) tomorrow. I replaced my water pump just under a year ago, I used the new style seal and cover. I'm sure I'll have more questions when I do the job, I just hope it doesn't end with me asking for the number of a suicide helpline 
I'll be taking pictures as I go to help with reassembly. Maybe I should post a tutorial. I can't find one on here.
I'll be taking pictures as I go to help with reassembly. Maybe I should post a tutorial. I can't find one on here.
MRneatfreak-Teflon tape sucks, avoid it. You can get a small tube of thread sealer at any decent parts store for 2-3-$4.
Tape doesn't work very well on bolts, it's meant for pipe thread that wedges as you screw into a tapered thread.
Tape tends to want to bunch up & just peel off as you screw it in machine bolt thread. A paste or liquid will assure sealer stays in the minor thread diameter. You don't need very much.
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Tape doesn't work very well on bolts, it's meant for pipe thread that wedges as you screw into a tapered thread.
Tape tends to want to bunch up & just peel off as you screw it in machine bolt thread. A paste or liquid will assure sealer stays in the minor thread diameter. You don't need very much.
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