Reinstalling aluminum head questions

[AnthonyG]

8ba Felpro MS8903 gasket. 1 question- hi-temp grease on head & block or nothing? 2 question-do all head bolts get thread seal to prevent coolant seepage or just specific positions?

[19Fordy]

MS 8903 is an intake gasket. Here's some answers.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=827228

Do a HEAD GASKET SEALER "Search" and much info. will appear.
Also, check out BEST head gaskets. I use Permatex non-hardening thread sealer on all the head bolts.
DO NOT CHASE HEAD BOLT THREADS WITH A TAP as they are Henry's special clearance fits. Cleaning out these threads with tap will increase chance of leaks. Don't clean head bolt threads with a "die" either for the same reason.

[AnthonyG]

Oops, right! Sorry bout that, s/b 7525B my own scribbling messed up. Should of gone into garage��

[19Fordy]

Peruse all the threads here for info. you need. You want to use a sealer that is easily removed. Otherwise, head removal will be more difficult.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Here's another thread on head sealant.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272754

[JSeery]

If you put sealer on some bolts and none on others it will change the torque values between the bolts. Bolts torque differently dry vs lubricated.

[GOSFAST]

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Make certain you use washers on the heads, whether you're using bolts or studs, we have "special" washers for this application!

(Add) We use Permatex #1 (hard-setting) on all our builds here, bolts or studs!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. The washers are 7/16" x .675" x .065", and they are chamfered for use with bolts. They go on just about every Flathead we do here and many other builds, I sell/ship hundreds during the year! Maybe even a thousand or more?

[FrankWest]

I think you would use spray on copper permetex gasket

[AnthonyG]

Researching thread 19Forty posted noticed one post indicated to leave engine sit 24 hours before starting to let thread sealant, I’m using Permatex w PTFE Thread sealant to set up. Saw nothing on label about cold temp sensitivity & My garage isn’t heated, will it prevent the thread seal from setting? Read label nothing about cold temp sensitivity? My garage isn’t heated?

[19Fordy]

According to this sheet it's not temp. sensitive.
http://www.worldpac.com/sdmedia/pdfs/permatex/56521.pdf

[russcc]

The washers are standard 7/16 grade 8 SAE hardened washers available at Fastenal or MCMaster Carr for example. Using aluminum heads, I would apply a graphite/petrolatum anti-seize to the shanks of the studs or cap screws to prevent corrosion between the head and steel stud or cap screw. Aircraft & Spruce has it. The heads will come off easily at a later date.

[AnthonyG]

Thx

[AnthonyG]

Sorry 4 the inexperience & probably another dumb question. After cleaning out the head bolt thread holes in block is blowing them out w compressed air or shop vac better? Thinking don’t want debris entering the ones that go thru water jack potentially fowling the coolant flow & air pressure bad idea?

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

Sorry 4 the inexperience & probably another dumb question. After cleaning out the head bolt thread holes in block is blowing them out w compressed air or shop vac better? Thinking don’t want debris entering the ones that go thru water jack potentially fowling the coolant flow & air pressure bad idea?

Yes, blow out the holes, but be careful doing it! The debris can go anywhere including your face and eyes and at high speed with the compressed air. A good thread cleaner if you don't have thread chasers is a bolt with one or two deep grooves cut into it. The edges of the groove help clean the threads. Just don't use anything that will "cut" the metal in the threaded holes. You are wanting to remove unwanted material, not original metal.

[19Fordy]

I would use a vacuum cleaner as a last step after air hose.

[AnthonyG]

�� thx

[AnthonyG]

Last question on this, Promise! I’ve seen different preferences for thread sealants. Naturally in one thread the preference was Permatex w PTFE so I bought a bottle, as a result of follow up questions on sequence of install I saw some liked some not? Should I use or is there another preferred sealant most like?

[Bored&Stroked]

Every person has their own preference . . . you can use a variety of products and they'll all work. What you have will work fine. As noted, I prefer to let the engine sit for at least a day before I fire it up - tends to allow the stuff to set in a bit. Make sure you put assembly lube on the stud/bolt sides and use hardened washers (you can get them from Jegs or Summit - different ODs, etc).. Always put some thread lubricant on both sides of the washers to help prevent galling. I use primarily ARP lubricants on fasteners.

[flatjack9]

Use it.

[19Fordy]

I used this sealant 6 months ago. Works fine.
Have also used Permatex non-hardening sealer.
However, i see where others use Permatex hardening sealer.

[AnthonyG]

Will install today & cross fingers
Thx all