need some advice on head gaskets
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need some advice on head gaskets
I am rebuilding a 1976 302 to put in my 71 F-100. I have never rebuilt an engine before, so I have had to rely on friends, and publications. Well I was using a book that told me to just oil the head bolts, and torque to specs, which I did. After some looking around it seems a lot of people put sealer on the head bolt threads, at least the lower ones. So I have decided to pull the heads and do that. my question is should I put new head gaskets as well? The motor hasn't run yet, and the heads have only been on for a couple days. I appreciate any help!
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Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
With your block, the lower head bolts need no sealer. The lower bolts do not go into the coolant jackets. That aspect started with the 80-up 5.0 blocks. Even if you did need sealer, you can still do that without taking everything apart, all you do is pull them one at a time, add thread paste, then retorque them. You did install the gaskets correctly ? There's a front and rear to both. And if you're not sure, there's a way to check without taking anything apart. On the lower front corner of the head, there's an area of the block's deck that's exposed, if the gaskets are on right, that area will be covered by a portion of the gasket, poking out past the head.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply.The day after my post, I tore it apart, and sealed the bolts, and put new gaskets on. $50.00 down the drain, oh well, at least it shouldn't leak..lol. Yeah my book was very clear about installing the head gaskets correctly. You can see in this picture that they are on right. Thanks again baddad457
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Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
Well "live and learn". Motor looks great. You can buy a chrome dipstick and tube at some of the local Advance/O'Reilly/Autozone to replace the painted ones you have there if you want to dress it up some more. The four long water pump bolts that are in the 12/6 o'clock positions on the two coolant ports in the block also need sealer, those intersect the block's coolant jackets.
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trust me baddad457, I "live & learn" lot...lol! Yeah I sealed up those water pump bolts and flywheel bolts. Putting clutch & transmission in tonight. I still have a lot to do before I can start it.
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bsiebert
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
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Nov 21, 2010 01:30 AM
