Water Pump replace

[pbxcomm]

Hi all..
Like you all, been working on outboards since the early 70's.. I take breaks here and there, not my livelihood, but love working on 'em just the same. Which brings me to my question:

Water pump gaskets... I remember in Mercury school it was not clear the procedures to replace gaskets with or without Perfect Seal or Blue RTV. I have done both with a very light smear on all gaskets and of course dry..

How do you all prefer? Is there a preference? has procedures changed in the last few years and am missing something?

Thanks..

[Whaaaaat]

Grease. Just grease liberally.

[pbxcomm]

Grease. Just grease liberally.

Whaaaaaat?

[Merc 2.5]

I have used very very little permetex b4 , but I only used it on the very 1st gasket that goes down b4 base plate. it's a real thin gasket. Then I just put rest on dry.

[Brookbbb]

I use mercury "perfect seal" never hardens, done hundreds of impeller replacements, never an issue. That's what they taught us at merc school.

[Merc 2.5]

I use mercury "perfect seal" never hardens, done hundreds of impeller replacements, never an issue. That's what they taught us at merc school.

U use it on all gaskets both sides?

[XstreamVking]

I have been using permatex gasket dressing. Seems to seal well and removes w/o a lot of hassle. Makes the gaskets reusable if you want to do that. Dont forget to silicone the divider between the exhaust and the water pump cavity.

[Brookbbb]

U use it on all gaskets both sides?

Yes sir, im a huge fan of perfect seal, some people use mercury 2-4-C grease on both sides and re use the gaskets, all personal preference, I never reuse gaskets.