bxtech

Hello all,

I am about to install the heads on my 1996. I had a question on what thread sealant I should use. Both #1 and #2 say they're for head bolts. These are the sealants I have narrow it down to:

1) Permatex 59235 High Temperature Thread Sealant. 50ml. Suggested Applications: Head bolts into through holes, oil PSI sending units and sensors, oil and coolant lines, fuel fittings, rear axle fill plug, brake and power steering fittings

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/p...t-59235-detail

2) Permatex 56521 High Performance Thread Sealant. 50ml. Suggested Applications: Stainless steel fittings, head bolts into through holes, oil PSI sending units/sensors, oil and coolant lines, intake manifold switches, rear axle fill plug, fuel fittings

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/p...sealant-detail

3) Permatex 80632 with PTFE. 4oz. I remember reading on a thread in which somebody used this and had leaking issues? Then, some others had no issues. Says Seals and resists pressure in air, oil, diesel fuel and hydraulic systems but nothing about head bolts.

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/p...e-80632-detail

4) ARP 1009904 Thread Sealer. 50ml. I read on a Mustang forum that a few guys had issues with the ARP thread sealer leaking. This is just sealer, so I can't see it only being compatible with ARP head bolts.



What do you all suggest? Any personal experiences? I am inclined to go with #1 or #4. Is one 50ml tube enough for all 34 bolts? Or, do I really need to apply it liberally so that it's dripping off the bolt? I've read some recommendations to apply it like that.

Thanks in advance for your help.

xrav22

Ive been using locktite 572 and Ive done many bolts and still have some left

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FACTORY-...crazy2::smash:

Joe C

FWIW, I used ARP sealant (with new ARP head bolts) on my L98. I know you said -
ARP bolts come packaged with some sort of corrosion preventative coating - probably just mineral oil. (per ARP tech support) "the bolt threads must be cleaned before applying sealant." seems the
sealant is compatible with the assembly lube, but not the corrosion preventative oil.

anyway, it's only been a short period of time, but I haven't experienced any issues so far....

cardo0

I almost hate to post this but Teflon pipe sealant from the hardware store at $1 a tube does the same thing. Only a chemist would know the difference. I apologize ahead in case this busts someone's bubble.

383vett

I've always sprayed my head bolts with Permatex copper sealant. It lubricates and seals the bolts. Assembly lube between the bolt head and washer helps give an accurate torque reading.

Joe C

- I have a bottle of hi-temp Teflon pipe sealant that I used to seal other pipe thread engine components, and to be honest, the ARP thread sealant looks to be the same stuff -



as I recall, this sealant is good to 500 degrees (F)

THE 383 admiral

liquid Teflon. all REAL race engines use it.

bxtech

Thanks for all of the replies, the info, and links everyone! Seems like it varies quite a bit between the different brands and sealants that people use. One thread I read somebody used RTV. I didn't think that was a good idea, but I went on ARP's website and surprisingly it was suggested by them. It says in their FAQ page "Use a liberal amount of ARP thread sealer, high temp silicone or Loctite...." I am probably just going to buy the ARP or another brand of hi-temp Teflon pipe sealant. I suspect cardo0 and Joe C are correct, in most likely a lot of these are the same "recipe"!

bxtech

Thanks. Good tip! BTW, I noticed you're local in the Bay Area. You probably already know this, but in just in case.....and if you're interested, The Blackhawk Museum is hosting the annual "A Legend on Display" Corvette show on April 24th.

jv9999

That's what I've been using for 30+ years!

HAD2HAV2

I had my 88 heads rebuilt at 120,000 miles. The engine shop recommended I use new head bolts with sealant already applied. Worth the cost considering the effort required to take the heads off.

mrodoc

Fel pro sells head bolts for LT1 corvettes. Has anyone ever used these? I know the forum in enamored with ARP, but just wondering. Also, the Fel pro have a sealant already applied to the threads Does this have to come off, is the teflon thread sealant applied on top of this, or is the Fel pro factory thread sealant enough?

Joe C

I haven't known fel-pro to sell anything that wasn't quality stuff. the (thread) sealant is as the name applies, a THREAD sealant, however, I would also use an assembly lube under the head of each bolt. while I did use ARP's on my last build, I wouldn't hesitate to use the fel-pro head bolts, especially on a budget build -

383vett

Good to know. Thanks

JackDidley

Without doing a search, I'd guess I am the one that said to use RTV silicone. Probably done it on 10 SBCs in the last 30 years, with no problem.

BOOT77

Loctite 592 if your the check & re-torque type

http://www.na.henkel-adhesives.com/p...=8797961093121

babbah

same here