what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Putting new stock aluminum heads on stock 35 - 21 stud ,using best composit gasket. I have use nothing,i have heard Guy's putting light coat of gease,copper coat,Indian head shellac compound the day before a lite coat on both sides.What do the pros use?are you back yard guru's

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

glenn.I use spray copper,but a lot of guys use a light coat of grease,because they claim they can reuse the head gaskets,if they have to remove the head in the future.I would never use shellac,because it tuff to take apart and clean,after the engine heat sucures it to the block and head.Hope this helps.E.P.W.

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Composite gaskets are designed to be installed dry. A lot of folks here coat theirs with grease or sprays to avoid having to scrape both surfaces upon removal. They do their job best if installed dry as designed like all modern composite gaskets but, like all modern gaskets, are no fun to scrape clean.

Lonnie

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Composite head gaskets liberally slathered with grease on all 4 surfaces of my 21 stud, 24 stud, SC tractor, & 413 engines. Oops, I forgot my 265 too. And my square 4 air-cooled.

Jack E/NJ

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

My thinking....You know when you coat a gasket with whatever, and upon torquing it down the 'whatever' oozes out all around the sides of the gasket?- well, it also oozes out around the inside of the gasket. The shit that oozes out around the outside you can wipe off, but how do you deal with whats on the inside? If the something is grease, any that oozes into the engine is easily assimilated into the oil/ combustion byproducts, depending on the actual location of the gaskets we're dealing with.
The other advantage of using grease is its lubricating properties; it allows the surfaces to 'slide' as torque is applied.

I work as a mechanical engineer in a large printing factory, and we use FUCHS POLYPLEX 2 [brand], polymer lithium complex grease, as the solitary sealing agent on large vertical access panels on gearboxes [up to 12 ft x 12 ft square], and record no leakage- ie, there is no gasket whatsoever - the grease provides the seal.
I am sold on this stuff, and use it on all gaskets in every application, apart from engine exhaust components,; where I'll use nickel based antiseize.
I do use that antiseize on the headstuds though when fitting aluminum heads, and to date have never, ever experienced trouble in removing them years later.

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Look on best gaskets web site ,they tell you to use some coating stuff.
lawrie

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

You beat me on that Lawrie. Look at the BEST web site, they recommend sealer on there gaskets. Walt

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Hi Walt, I just sent you a pm on this subject. Thank you!

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Thanks to all that replied back .When i got gaskets there where packaged ,they buy bulk to save money. No instructions. Spray copper coat it is .Thank you

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

What does JM use fordbarn minds need to know?

Re: what do you use, 21 stud head gaskets
 

Only the Shadow knows.....