What head gasket sealant is the best?

[ScubaChief60]

Good morning,

Six months back, I installed aluminum heads on my 1935 85 HP Flathead.

It appears I have developed a coolant seep into one of the cylinders based upon the steam I am spewing at first start up.

After it gets hot the steam ceases.

No coolant is in the oil.

I have re-torqued the head nuts several times without success in stopping the seep.

Local NAPA suggested what they call gasket shellac. I have two bottles ready once I pull the heads.

Any recommendations based upon your experience would be appreciated?

[tubman]

Did you put sealer on the head studs or bolts when you installed them?

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by tubman

Did you put sealer on the head studs or bolts when you installed them?

If you did use thread sealer (and it's a must), then I've had good luck using cheap, aluminum spray paint. Three coats on the gaskets and install them after the third coat is just "tacky".

There is a copper head gasket sealant aerosol product, but understand this product is also a form of glue, so be mindful using this if you plan to remove the heads somewhere down the road.

[51504bat]

What brand head gaskets are you using and what does the manufacturer recommend? When I installed my EAB heads I used Best gaskets. They recommended a spray on sealer. Permatex I think but not positive. No leaks and I did seal the head bolts using Permatex #2 per the machinist who rebuilt the short block. Again, no leak issues. JMO

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

What brand head gaskets are you using and what does the manufacturer recommend? When I installed my EAB heads I used Best gaskets. They recommended a spray on sealer. Permatex I think but not positive. No leaks and I did seal the head bolts using Permatex #2 per the machinist who rebuilt the short block. Again, no leak issues. JMO

That Permatex spray is also a type of glue. If you have plans to remove the heads later on down the road, you need to be mindful of this.

[rockfla]

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Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

That Permatex spray is also a type of glue. If you have plans to remove the heads later on down the road, you need to be mindful of this.

What Tim speaks of is "true". I used the Permatex Copper Spray on my jeep engine AND I ended up having to pull the head back off 1/2 into installing it SO I never got it down to FULL torque. When I pulled the head, It was slightly harder than I expected as it was "stuck"down pretty good, THEN once I got it loose, the gasket was toast.....Stuck partially to the head and partially to the block....THEN about 4 hours scraping/cleaning both AND a new head gasket. Best brand gasket. SO it works!!!!!

[Kube]

Permatex copper spray. Two coats allowed to dry prior to installation.
I have never understood guys wanting to reuse gaskets. Gaskets are cheap.
The idea of installing a gasket is to do it correctly the first time. That is, no leaks.

[tubman]

I use Fel-Pro composite gaskets, a properly prepared surface, and grease. No problem removing heads and no leaks after I got the "knack" of doing it. Sealing the studs/bolts in the block is mandatory. I always use genuine Ford bolts rather than studs to avoid the problems our friend Ken is currently having. I am exclusively an "8BA guy", but I don't see why they couldn't be used on the earlier engines.

I use aluminum aftermarket heads, and have found the clearances in the head bolt holes to be excessive, leading to alinement problems. I have heard that the manufacturers purposely make them larger to make installation and removal easier. I use a couple of pieces of aluminum tubing that fits snugly over the bolts and bore out a couple of head bolt holes to exactly fit the outside of the tubing to keep the heads in alinement. Since I have started doing this, I have had no problems with head installation. There is a little more to it than putting them on and tightening the fasteners.

[Kube]

I prefer the composite gaskets as well. I am fortunate enough to have a large supply of NOS.
I remain in the "copper spray" crowd.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by Kube

Permatex copper spray. Two coats allowed to dry prior to installation.
I have never understood guys wanting to reuse gaskets. Gaskets are cheap.
The idea of installing a gasket is to do it correctly the first time. That is, no leaks.

Mike
As I stated, I had just basically set the head down on the block and pulled my first torque to 35ft lbs.....I am not cheap NOR do I have ANY Problem buying another head gasket, as a matter of fact, the moment I knew I had to pull the head back off, I ordered another head gasket.....before I loosened ONE head nut. "Someone" mentioned to me that I "might" be able to use the old gasket since I had not significantly torqued it (In my mind I know that's not good either way, hence ordering another, straight away) BUT I figured I could be "humored" IF the gasket even came back off with any integrity what so ever. IT did not!!!!! I installed my gaskets JUST as you described, paint all three, head, block & gasket (both sides), allowed them dry to a very very slight tack, then installed.......EVEN at 35ft Lbs, its STUCK!!!

[ScubaChief60]

Thanks all... I seem to recall composite gaskets and from Third Gen.
I did not seal around the head bolts.

You all have given me some good material... I'll look into the spray.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by ScubaChief60

Thanks all... I seem to recall composite gaskets and from Third Gen.
I did not seal around the head bolts.

You all have given me some good material... I'll look into the spray.

What torque are you torquing the head nuts to???



Was this a fresh rebuild motor OR was it a runner that hasn't been apart other than you 'just" pulling the head off of??? ONE of the big questions STILL is "IF" a fresh rebuild, did you seal the head studs?

"IF" it was a runner and you are doing a little "freshening up", did any of the head studs come loose when you removed the heads?? IF so did you "re-seal" the threads??
OR did you "maybe" chase the threads in the block to "clean" them with a "TAP"???

IF you used a"Best Brand" gasket (which Michael sells) and torqued the heads to the proper torque.....YOU shouldn't have had any issues

[ScubaChief60]

Actually they were from Van Pelt

[highbeams]

In 1960 Wisconsin, I removed heads on a barn-find '40 pickup once to free up pistons with Liquid Wrench. Put the heads back on with the same gasket(s), tightened the heads from the center out. No problem after.

[mfirth]

Fel-pro on 2 different engines, no leaks, no problems.

[Bored&Stroked]

When you pull the heads off of the engine, pay very close attention to the gasket that is on the leaking side. If you have a blown gasket, you can usually see where it is blown. Take some close up pictures of the fire-ring on both sides and post them. If the gasket gets completely destroyed, then take pictures of the head and block surfaces - those might tell us something.


Hopefully that is all that it is. If you find that after you install new head gaskets you still have an issue, you might try some Moroso Ceramic seal - it can help if you have some seeping in studs and might even seal a small crack.

[outlaw]

Head sealant.jpgI'm gonna throw out a suggestion here. I have been chasing a problem with my wife's off topic turbo charged suv. It has been throwing a code for misfire on #1 cyl at startup. I have replaced everything that is suggested to possibly cause it to no avail. It also was using a small amount of antifreeze every week or so randomly. The previous series of this motor had a known block issue that caused this (between #2 & #3 cyls) and the cure was a new motor. I picked up a bottle of this CRC head gasket & block repair. It cured the problem so far & it's been over a month with no codes or antifreeze consumption. I don't know if it would work on the flatheads, but it might be worth a try. It has some type of mil-spec fibers in it.

[ScubaChief60]

More good ideas here. I really appreciate it 'outlaw'. When I finally have a diagnoses/fix... I'll post again my results. Would have been into it already but 91 year old Korean War Vet Father-in-law just passed and so repairs on hold till next week. Thanks!

[1952henry]

My condolences.

[outlaw]

Sorry for your loss, my condolences to you and your family also.