Head bolt/stud sealant

[jeepguy1948]

It seems that there are many different opinions about what to use to seal the head bolts (or in this case, studs) are sealed. Some say just use anti seize and some recommend something else. Full disclosure; the threads in the block were chased with a regular tap way back when. I have used High Tack in the past on banger motors with a 100% success rate but I have never even heard that mentioned as an option. BTW, I know that studs aw only to be installed finger tight. To be honest, I can’t see any reason why teflon tape wouldn’t work (for studs) or plain old Rector Seal #5 (for studs or bolts. I like something with a little more of a positive seal than just Anti seize. I have read Ron’s book (several times) and I’m pretty sure that he just uses anti seize (I did not double check that however, I’m going by memory here) but I think Ron’s motors are taken apart so often that it is not such a big deal for him. I recently pulled the head off a flathead Willys motor and found that the head gasket had failed because the steel head gasket had rusted to the point of failure. Now, to be honest, the head has been on there for 40 years so there’s nothing to complain about but who knows, if proper sealing had beeen done it might still be going strong.

[jeepguy1948]

BTW, I believe that High Tack is a Permatex product.

[rockfla]

Read/See my post here on the barn THE LATTER Half of the post




https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338732

[Bored&Stroked]

Hey Rock . . . checked that 'Leak Lock' stuff out . . . looks like a great product for an application like this - ordered a 4 - Oz jar of it. Will report back the next time I use it.

Thanks for the tip!

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

Hey Rock . . . checked that 'Leak Lock' stuff out . . . looks like a great product for an application like this - ordered a 4 - Oz jar of it. Will report back the next time I use it.

Thanks for the tip!

Great, I am sure you will be satisfied with it. Take care!!

[51504bat]

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The machinist who built my 8ba short block recommended #2 Permatex to seal the head bolts. Followed his advice and no issues.

[Tim Ayers]

I've also ordered some Leak Lock. Thanks for the tip, Robert.

I've used ARP in the past. I'd assume they just repackage someone else's product. This go around I'm using Hercules thread sealer I got from a plumbing supply house. I'll also report back.

https://www.google.com/search?q=herc...vssid=uvpv-713

You can get it at Home Depot, but I got it from a jobber. He said its the one that they normally sell out of and they haven't had any complaints.


I do like how Leak Lock comes in the liquid. Paste makes such a mess.

[rockfla]

B&S and Tim
Like I showed in the pictures in the other post, a small bead between first and second thread and a bead perpendicular to the threads from the bottom bead to about 2/3 threads shy of the end and it spreads and leaves a nice little indicating seal at the base of the stud!!! ItÂ’s viscous enough to flow nicely but stiff enough to hold true till you thread it y

[jeepguy1948]

That does look like an interesting product. If I can locate some, I’ll give it a try.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by jeepguy1948

That does look like an interesting product. If I can locate some, I’ll give it a try.

It's what I used on my 1941 Ford GP build, THE one thing I did AND recommend is I cleaned the block with a thread chaser and then cleaned with carb/brake cleaner on a shop rag before I installed the studs!!!!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by rockfla

It's what I used on my 1941 Ford GP build, THE one thing I did AND recommend is I cleaned the block with a thread chaser and then cleaned with carb/brake cleaner on a shop rag before I installed the studs!!!!