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Old 05-04-2018, 12:40 PM   #1
Teltruck
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Default Head Bolts on a 8BA

My Ford Shop manual says to use a "Water proof sealant on The Threads" .What's the best product to use? Thanks,
Bob
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Old 05-04-2018, 12:55 PM   #2
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Probably a number of "best" ones but I have always used non hardening Permatex.
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Old 05-04-2018, 01:06 PM   #3
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

I agree on Permatex. Never had a leaker.
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Old 05-04-2018, 01:06 PM   #4
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

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Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT View Post
Probably a number of "best" ones but I have always used non hardening Permatex.
We do the opposite, we use the Permatex #1, this is the "hard-setting" one. Been using this on all our builds, not only the Flatheads!

Never a single (major) issue so far!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Would also strongly recommend against using any anti-freeze on the initial run, but be careful in the "cold" weather. Most minor leaks will take care of themselves for the most part! We occasionally see some water coming up the studs on the dyno, they are usually sealed up by the end of the session!
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Old 05-04-2018, 02:26 PM   #5
19Fordy
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Gary, Can you re-torque head bolts if you use the hard setting Permatex?
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Old 05-04-2018, 02:48 PM   #6
Phil Gillespie
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

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Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
Gary, Can you re-torque head bolts if you use the hard setting Permatex?

Good point. That crossed my mins also.
Phil NZ
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Old 05-04-2018, 04:39 PM   #7
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

I would think the hard setting sealer would be for head studs and the non-hardening Permatex would be better for head bolts. I have used the non-hardening Permatex on the bolts on my last two 8BA builds and have not experienced any leaks.
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Old 05-04-2018, 05:19 PM   #8
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

This has been used for years and does a good job.
https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...ealant-liquid/

R
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Old 05-04-2018, 05:22 PM   #9
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Well, being a plumber, I have always used a good grade Teflon pipe joint compound.
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Old 05-04-2018, 06:09 PM   #10
tubman
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Jack, No offense intended, but I am curious. Teflon pipe joint compound is for tapered fittings, while the head bolts/studs in a flathead are straight threads. Wouldn't this require two different types of sealer?
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Old 05-04-2018, 08:00 PM   #11
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

can you back of nut and apply the sealant.and retorque. or do you apply the sealant on the stud treads. i just started my freshly rebuilt flathead ,and i got 3 leaking head nuts.
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Old 05-04-2018, 08:17 PM   #12
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

I like the Permatex Thread Sealant . Easy to apply and does a great job.
https://www.zoro.com/permatex-thread...32/i/G1245867/
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Old 05-04-2018, 08:43 PM   #13
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

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can you back of nut and apply the sealant.and retorque. or do you apply the sealant on the stud treads. i just started my freshly rebuilt flathead ,and i got 3 leaking head nuts.
If it's a stud with a nut then you need to pull the stud. The sealant is for the stud threads into the block. If the studs are not super tight in the block you should be able to pull them by double nuting the stud and then use the bottom nut to back the stud out.
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Old 05-05-2018, 05:47 AM   #14
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

thanks jseery. would it be Wise to add some kind of stop leak to prevent other studs from leaking!
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Old 05-05-2018, 08:05 AM   #15
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Times change and new stuff shows up whether good or not so much. I use an expensive stuff that is hard to get at a decent price but it works well. The stuff is called Mastinox D40. It doesn't harden and has corrosion inhibitors to protect the joint. The stuff is made by PPG Aerospace and is stupid high in price. It is rated to work where temps can exceed 200 C. If using it for stuff like this, it's best to find it where the product has exceeded its shelf life and can no longer be used in aviation. MEK can be used as a solvent to thin the stuff out a bit. I believe this type also has zinc chromates in it which are known carcinogens. Where head bolts go into water, I like the extra corrosion protection. It's hard enough to loosen them when there is no corrosion but when there is, that's when bolts break.


There is a one that works in the range above coolant temperatures that is less expensive and it is Mastinox 6856K that works to over 150C. It is still stupidly high priced though.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 05-05-2018 at 08:18 AM.
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:06 AM   #16
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
Jack, No offense intended, but I am curious. Teflon pipe joint compound is for tapered fittings, while the head bolts/studs in a flathead are straight threads. Wouldn't this require two different types of sealer?
Been using it forever with no leaks. Remember the head bolts are a tight fit.
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:09 AM   #17
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

Quote:
Originally Posted by burnette View Post
can you back of nut and apply the sealant.and retorque. or do you apply the sealant on the stud treads. i just started my freshly rebuilt flathead ,and i got 3 leaking head nuts.
Just run water in the engine for a while and the leaks will probably stop.
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:35 AM   #18
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

This will keep you out of the woods also.
https://www.skygeek.com/valco-71292-...SAAEgLZs_D_BwE

I have used it many tines .

R
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Old 05-05-2018, 10:14 AM   #19
tubman
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

It's nice to hear that there are as many really high-end products there are out there as have been mentioned. However, as a matter of fact, I believe that most of the "regular" sealants in the chem section of your "FLAPS" are totally adequate for the job.
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Old 05-05-2018, 08:21 PM   #20
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Default Re: Head Bolts on a 8BA

I always use ARP PTF/Teflon based stud sealer on all my builds -- well, at least the ones with "wet decks". LOL

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