The chilton manual says to use head gasket sealant. From what I've read online it seems like most do not.

I have basic fel-pro gaskets if that matters. The gasket sealants I have are permatex high temp gasket sealant and permatex copper spray-a-gasket.

Advice much appreciated. Trying to get heads on tonight.

 

Does the factory use a sealant on headgaskets? no.

Just make sure both sealing surfaces are completely grease/oil/lint free and clean.

 

That's exactly what I've seen elsewhere and I trust you since you have been such a help to me.

I wonder why the chilton says to use sealant.

 

Ask Chris (ctubutis) about sealant with head gaskets. He can tell you all about it! I've found some pretty misinformation in aftermarket service books.

 

Alright... Another dumb question:

Do I use the supplied line with the arp headbolts?

 

What do you mean? do you mean the thread lubricant the bolts come with? yes, that would be a good idea. Just make sure the bolt holes are extremely clean and have no fluid in the bottom of the pockets. Doesn't take a whole lot of grease. Make sure to put some on the bottom of the bolt heads too.

 

Ok perfect.

Thanks!

 

Anytime!

 

Thanks, Matthew.

Here is what happens when one uses RTV on head gaskets (which only a clueless dumbphuque does):






Do you see the little bits of RTV poking out? Poking out of what, you may ask... from the holes through which anti freeze is supposed to flow(!).

I trust you can see a problem with anti freeze/coolant not flowing through the heads.

Any kind of gel- or goo-type of sealant is going to get squished into those passages when the heads are torqued down; the ONLY "gasket sealer" I have heard of that *might* be OK to use with head gaskets is that copper spray-on stuff but, even then, I wouldn't us it unless I had a specific reason to.

If you are using Fel Pro gaskets, I would follow their instructions....

 

The books I have say to use a sealer if you have steel shim type gaskets and no sealer if you're using composite gaskets. The sealer they recommend is a copper sealant. I'm not sure if you can even get a steel gaskets any more.

 

Aye, treedoc:

Clean and Dry - Fel-Pro Only

 

Yes that explains it better than my post thanks , Ctubutis.