Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Question of the day?


Had a head gasket let go on a sort of "tired", good running flathead (pushing coolant out the back of the head). Pulled the heads and no evidence of any cracks. Having the heads checked now and IF good having them "decked". The question is.......Since the block is not getting decked......do you use any kind of "sealant" product around the water ports on the block and heads with the newer graphite head gaskets???

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

If you used a steel or copper gasket and coated it with a sealer like "copper coat" you would not have a problem.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Almost all cylinder heads show some warping and should be checked with a good straight edge. At our shop we resurface both the gasket surface of the heads, and the deck of the block on each job. With good quality head gaskets, no gasket sealer should be necessary. It is a good practice to install a good sealer to the coolant. When I was working for a Ford dealer years ago, each "authorized rebuilt" engine included a bottle of sealer.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

I still spray the gasket , both sides with aluminum paint . And use a thin layer of grease on the surface . Never had any leaks and I've built dozens if not more when I was employed.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Torque to 45 ft 33 heat cycles. Over torquing warps the BLOCK!!

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

No. A graphite gasket ("Best" brand gaskets are a very good choice) needs no sealer.Resurfacing the heads is a VERY good idea.



Terry

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

I use sealer on all gaskets EXCEPT the graphtite best brand gaskets. They are about as good as it gets.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Read Best Gaskets recommendations for their Graphtite head gaskets... use a sealer.

https://bestgasket.com/about-our-products/

Scroll down, it's on the right side.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Use a spray sealer. Not a tube.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Hylomar Blue in a aerosol can might work. flatheadmurre(member here) advised me to use it and it worked.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Ole' Ron
33 Heat cycles......meaning run the engine to "normal" operating temperature and let cool, RE-TORQUE at 45 for 33 straight times??

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

I think Ol´Ron means 3 heat cycles...computer hickup...

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Ya, that is 3 as in three, LOL.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

I can't see the screen sometimes. Probably won't be able to do this much longer.

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Hang in there Ron, we got your back! :)

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Thanks JS

Re: Flathead Re-builders....Do You
 

Hey hey......If Ron wants to check it 33 times, the torque will most-assuredly be precisely ON THE MONEY! DD