8BA heads going on
 

About to mount the 8BA heads on the block. Planned on using copper spray gasket and rectorseal pipe compound on the head bolt threads and torquing down to 45lbs as I have seen recommended. Any better sealant choices out there for the threads?

JB

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

Permatex av works well.

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

Have always used Teflon pipe sealing compound on the threads. It doesn't set up hard and I've never had a leak.

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

Teflon paste is smoother then rectorseal but both work

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

I use a steam pipe compound/paste. But, most of the other stuff works well. did you mill the heads for .045/.050" piston clearance??

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

Ron, the shop decked the block and surfaced the heads, not sure about my clearance. I talked to the machinist about 0.050 as you have suggested before, but was afraid it would go too far and hated to throw another $100 at it.

JB

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

I think it would be a good idea for you to measure the current squish using aluminum foil balls (my choice) or clay before permanently installing the heads. It would be good to know what it is beforehand. Also, since your surfaces are fresh, I would avoid the use of any adhesive type sealers on the head gaskets. I currently use just a coating of regular grease and have had no problems with leaks. If the heads have to come of later for any reason, you'll find out why.

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

^^^^
X2! Smeared on all 4 surfaces.

Jack E/NJ

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

Thanks for the aluminum ball trick. I did that just snugging up the head bolts and have 0.075 clearance with a 0.075 thick head gasket. Assuming I get a little compression on the head gasket when I torque it down to 45 lbs I might be close to 0.050. Thoughts?

JB

Re: 8BA heads going on
 

I find that Fel-Pro gaskets snug down to a little under .060". That'll give you .060" squish; probably close enough for a stocker. Hopefully, some of the more experienced guys will chime in with their thoughts.