What do I do if I see RTV squeeze-out into oil passages?
Documented on the Chevrolet Small Block 350 (sbc 350) build
Published May 9, 2026
Remove excess RTV carefully with a shop rag or by disassembling if necessary; avoid leaving blobs that could break off and circulate.
Full Answer
Remove excess RTV carefully with a shop rag or by disassembling if necessary; avoid leaving blobs that could break off and circulate. Preventative measure: apply moderate, even bead and avoid over-application near oil passages.
Documented In This Build
Related Knowledge
What torque specs should I use for oil pump, timing cover and oil pan bolts?How do I know the oil pump pickup is positioned correctly?Do I need to prime the oil pump before first start?Should I use a gasket or RTV for the timing cover and oil pan?How important is degreeing the cam?What torque sequence and values should I use for SBC heads?How do I set lifter preload or hydraulic lash?What should I do to prepare the engine for first start and break-in?
Related Parts
RTV silicone/sealant
$8
Oil pump (single or gear-type for SBC 350)
$120
Oil pump pickup tube
$30
Timing cover
$70
Front crank seal (timing cover seal)
$12
Oil pan
$130
Timing cover & oil pan gaskets / gasket set
$25
Oil pan bolts / hardware
$10
Related Tools
Torque wrench
Ratchet and socket set
Seal installer / seal driver
Gasket scraper / cleaning tools
Caulking gun
Shop rags and solvent
Related Videos
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 6 | This Is How It's Actually Supposed To Be Done
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.3 | Filing rings and checking main clearances
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt.5 | Continued frustrations with rod clearances
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 11 | Installing the intake manifold and figuring out sbc nuisances
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 7 | Checking Crank Clearance and installing the rods.
Small Block Chevy 350 Build Pt. 8 | Installing Camshaft and timing components