The Ford Barn

3twinridges · 02-09-2017, 08:45 AM

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

texas webb · 02-09-2017, 08:52 AM

Permatex av works well.

4t8v8 · 02-09-2017, 09:07 AM

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

skidmarks · 02-09-2017, 09:22 AM

Teflon paste is smoother then rectorseal but both work

Ol' Ron · 02-09-2017, 09:36 AM

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??

3twinridges · 02-09-2017, 10:08 AM

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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

tubman · 02-09-2017, 11:31 AM

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.

Jack E/NJ · 02-09-2017, 02:03 PM

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

Jack E/NJ

3twinridges · 02-09-2017, 08:45 PM

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

tubman · 02-09-2017, 09:43 PM

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.

02-09-2017, 08:45 AM	#1
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 621	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

02-09-2017, 08:52 AM	#2
texas webb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 637	Re: 8BA heads going on Permatex av works well.

02-09-2017, 09:07 AM	#3
4t8v8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 526	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.

02-09-2017, 09:22 AM	#4
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,780	Re: 8BA heads going on Teflon paste is smoother then rectorseal but both work

02-09-2017, 09:36 AM	#5
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	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??

02-09-2017, 10:08 AM	#6
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 621	Re: 8BA heads going on Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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

02-09-2017, 11:31 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,639	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.

02-09-2017, 02:03 PM	#8
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,260	Re: 8BA heads going on ^^^^ X2! Smeared on all 4 surfaces. Jack E/NJ

02-09-2017, 08:45 PM	#9
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 621	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

02-09-2017, 09:43 PM	#10
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,639	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.