what should be used to seal a set of steel head gaskets on a small block? i've heard everything from "nothing" to gold spray paint to special sealer for it. i would think there has to be something, but what works the best? got a set of really thin head gaskets for the Nova (more compression), and want to install them.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

I've always just coated both sides with motor oil and installed them. Never had one leak or blow out.

I've always used silver spray paint. Something about the metallic properties of the silver paint makes it a good sealer. Spray both sides of the gasket heavily. Put them and the heads on with the paint wet. I've used this on motors up to 13.5:1 and not had a problem.

What kind of really thin gaskets did you get? Are they metal? If they are I would use the copper spray tac adhesive, it is made for metal gaskets. If they are thin fiber composition I wouldn't use any adhesive on them.

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Bob
Garnet Red 69/SS396/TH400/355 Posi ( 454 now)
94 HD Dyna Wideglide

Derrik,
If you bought Fel-Pro's metal shim gaskets, they should have instructions telling you to use the Fel-Pro blue sealer. Spray Hi-Tack works well, as does coppercoat. Make sure the gaskets you have do require a sealer. Some of the newer steel shim gaskets from Fel-Pro and Mr Gasket already have a coat of black sealer on them and anything additional might make them leak. As usual....read the instructions.

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Bill Koustenis
Owner
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
1971 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy" original owner

i have no instructions. i got them out of a NAPA gasket set for a small block that a friend got. they are like .015 thick, just comparing them with my eyeballs to a feeler gauge. he isn't gonna use them because he is trying to get by with a torque monster cam on a 350 with flat top pistons and 305 heads.
they are made by Victor-reinz, but i forget the part #. just steel, with no coating at all. i just wanna throw them in the Nova and see how she runs.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

Are you going to check your piston to valve clearance first?

Drew

I have always used nothing on my steel shim head gaskets and they are still sealing well.

I do condition the block and heads deck using liteweight oil, lamp oil or WD-40, and a new Norton India stone. I also remove the indexing pins.

Go in a circular motion until there is a flat surface all across. I spray with machinist's bluing to show me the high spots.

Works every time.

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Everett 68/350/PG/11.90/115mph

[This message has been edited by Everett#2390 (edited 09-06-2002).]

Just curious, are you concerned about quench?

Wow, fastinating stuff!!

I've used aluminum spray paint, Copper-Cote spray, Copper-Cote "dauber", Indianhead shellac gasket cement.

Never oil or dry though..

I like the idea of "hand-honing" the high spots off the block!!

I do, however retorque my heads several times after running and cooling it after torquing first in several steps.. Generally takes me a day and a half to two days! And I've never surfaced anything except the old hopped up, .060" over 409, years ago... Works for me.. pdq67