OK I have a set of Best Gasket head gaskets coming for my 292 as the Fel Pro's were weeping and everyone here said get the Best Gaskets. I called Best Gasket today to see if they recommend using any sealer on the head gasket such as copper coat or silicone around the water ports. Low and behold the person who could answer that question is gone til Monday and of course I would like to put the motor back together this weekend. Can anyone here answer that question about sealers?????

 

I am by no means an expert on engine building, but I have done a few y-blocks and have had head gasket (felpro) issues with some water weeping into the cylinders. No block or head cracks. Given one more opportunity, I would choose to use a sealer unless it was absolutely contraindicated. The old guys needed sealers because they used metal shim head gaskets. If there is an appropriate material and it wouldn't hurt...I'll take it. I wouldn't use silicone/rtv however.

 

Ive done more engine rebuilds than I care to recall and I sure used a heck of a lot of Fel-Pro gaskets without issue. I just looked at the Best gasket and Fel-Pro gasket (pics and specs) and Im not sure what the difference is? I don't ever recall using sealers with the Fel-pro gaskets but for sure head and decks were checked for true. I hope the best gasket does the trick and Im watching your results closely so I know which gasket to use. Good luck -

 

Sealer should not be required.

 

What is the pressure rating on your radiator cap? The older engines such as our Y-Blocks like the lower pressure 7 psi caps. I just upgraded mine to an aluminum radiator which came with a 16 psi cap, but I made sure to use my 7 psi instead. Just a thought.

 

Posted this article in a similar thread fairly recently??? Although it would only impact on limited group of member's; came across article in April 2015 issue of CarCraft in the "Ask Anything" section: titled Gasket Tech. Reader wrote in about the difficulty he was experiencing obtaining a seal between the intake and heads with his small block Ford engine; in his case the application involved Edelbrock intake to Edelbrock Head. Apparently some small block bow-tie engines have similar issues; but according to the article, it is unique to the small block Ford. Jest of article primarily had to do with the location, size of bolts, and the angle of the bolts securing the intake to the head?? Article suggested not to use sealant explaining the areas surrounding oil passages can mix with the sealant and created a slick surface effecting the seal. They recommended a particular 'laminated steel' gasket set to hopefully correct the problem?? Anyhow, may be old info for some, I found it interesting and may want to read the article just in case I misinterpreted?

 

My cap is a 7 psi cap also

 

If I recall the Best Gasket set will have instructions with it. I used them on my 292 build and I think I used copper sealer on the entire gasket, and remember they said not to forget to re-torque.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. Hopefully I will get them early this week and get the motor back together this weekend. This has been the leakiest motor I have ever put together. 4 sets of block soft plugs, head gaskets and a 2nd cam plug. I guess it is true when things start getting older they seem to seep from orifices.

 

If you use brass soft plugs, with a very thin coat of silicone around them, and install with the proper tool or a socket that fits the best it can, they shouldn't leak.

RE the cam plug, take care with that one. If you install it too deep, the cam gets forced against the thrust plate, i.e. no end play, and that is not good.