I could have sworn on my FE390 i used copper silicone around the water passages when i installed my heads.

now i am doing a rebuild on my 7.3 and i cant find anything online regarding dry install of the gasket or if i should use silicone around the water passages. I remember when i did an old 6.0 i had it had rubber oring like material around each port- this felpro gasket for my 7.3 does not. if anyone has any advice it would be helpful.

 

All of the head bolt holes are blind (closed ends/don't protrude into water jackets, etc.).

A thin film of oil on the threads and under the bolt heads is all you need.

For what it's worth, I JUST NOW finished slapping the heads on a 7.3l at home.

 

Ok good, I just put the one side on. For whatever reason I had a cracked oil ring so I need to wait for the other one to come in on Monday. Compared to my 6.0 95ftlbs seems wimpy !!