DART Rocker Stud Thread Sealant Required?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
DART Rocker Stud Thread Sealant Required?
I happened on a thread from a fellow forum member with ARP heads and vacuum/oil leak with oil in the intake runners.
I am showing oil on #2, 6 and 8 spark plugs. It is not caked on the plug but it was sufficient that it wiped off and the engine was blowing light blue smoke at idle. Oil on 2, 6 and 8 only because I removed them Sunday while replacing oil pan. I will check 1,3,5,7 this evening.
I have DART IE 180cc intake runner heads. I am reading that rocker stud sealant may be required as the studs protrude into the intake runners (I assume due to clearancing to improve intake port flow volume). Rebuilder may have removed my rocker studs and reinstalled without sealant during cylinder head refresh earlier this year.
Any tech papers from DART on sealing rocker studs? I may have to pull them this weekend and apply black rtv to resolve.
I am showing oil on #2, 6 and 8 spark plugs. It is not caked on the plug but it was sufficient that it wiped off and the engine was blowing light blue smoke at idle. Oil on 2, 6 and 8 only because I removed them Sunday while replacing oil pan. I will check 1,3,5,7 this evening.
I have DART IE 180cc intake runner heads. I am reading that rocker stud sealant may be required as the studs protrude into the intake runners (I assume due to clearancing to improve intake port flow volume). Rebuilder may have removed my rocker studs and reinstalled without sealant during cylinder head refresh earlier this year.
Any tech papers from DART on sealing rocker studs? I may have to pull them this weekend and apply black rtv to resolve.
Last edited by TedH; Sep 30, 2013 at 12:27 PM. Reason: clarify
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 88
From: Easton Pennsylvania
I would be curious to know the answer to this myself. And also what sealer should be used on the studs and head bolts since I do know that those protrude into the water jackets in the block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Any tech papers from DART on sealing rocker studs? I may have to pull them this weekend and apply black rtv to resolve.
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...FbAWMgodMUYABA
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Ted, I used ARP thread sealer on my rocker studs when assembling my Dart SHP aluminum heads and no problems with leaking so far at 1250 miles. Don't remember how many protruded into the intake tract but quite a few did.
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...FbAWMgodMUYABA
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...FbAWMgodMUYABA
I am looking at:
Permatex Thread Sealant PN # 56521
Permatex 59214
Permatex #2
Permatex High Tack brush on sealant/gasket.
Looks like I will be tearing the rockers/studs off this weekend.
Last edited by TedH; Sep 30, 2013 at 01:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Not sure about the exact part but I used permatex high temp thread sealer Im pretty sure it was #59214 but through the package out. Good luck! 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Ted, I just fixed this exact issue on my RHS Pro-Action Aluminum heads. No sealer on studs = oil in the intake runners..higher the vacuum, the higher the suck factor. Not sure about the exact part but I used permatex high temp thread sealer Im pretty sure it was #59214 but through the package out. Good luck!
Not sure about the exact part but I used permatex high temp thread sealer Im pretty sure it was #59214 but through the package out. Good luck! 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
This is good info and may help with my blue smoke at idle. Does Permatex offer an equivalent thread sealer for high temps?
I am looking at:
Permatex Thread Sealant PN # 56521
Permatex 59214
Permatex #2
Permatex High Tack brush on sealant/gasket.
Looks like I will be tearing the rockers/studs off this weekend.
I am looking at:
Permatex Thread Sealant PN # 56521
Permatex 59214
Permatex #2
Permatex High Tack brush on sealant/gasket.
Looks like I will be tearing the rockers/studs off this weekend.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
I want to be sure that whatever I get doesn't drop into the intake passage and cause issues. Granted, it would probably disintegrate in the combustion chamber. I'm leaning toward the PErmatex 80062 High Tack if I can get it at Advance Auto.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
I would NEVER have thought rocker studs would be a source for oil in intake. Sure glad I was watching the forum today.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Interesting that you post this. I have a set of Iron Eagle heads and had issues with the studs backing out. They were covered with oil but I assumed that was from being exposed to spray. It may well have been the cause. I ended up using Loctite red and the problem went away. It may well have been the sealing properties go the Loctite hid the original cause because I didn't use sealant on the studs.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Interesting that you post this. I have a set of Iron Eagle heads and had issues with the studs backing out. They were covered with oil but I assumed that was from being exposed to spray. It may well have been the cause. I ended up using Loctite red and the problem went away. It may well have been the sealing properties go the Loctite hid the original cause because I didn't use sealant on the studs.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Picked up a tube of Permatex # 59235, valve cover gasket and a spare set of exhaust gaskets for good measure. Going to open up the valve covers this evening and start the repair. Will advise if I find oil on the threads and if any are loose or showing odd wear.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
While picking up my Permatex Thread Sealer, I saw a tube of "The Right Stuff". Looks like a short tube of 'caulk' and indicated it was used to form gaskets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Yes Right Stuff is Butyl Rubber based sealer and performs quite well, like it better than silicone. Did some differential work on a Jeep Rubicon, didn't have a lot of time, used Right Stuff on Diff covers, let sit for less than 10 minutes and had a great weekend wheeling on back country trails. Ran the Jeep another 10K miles with diffs never leaking a drop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Yes Right Stuff is Butyl Rubber based sealer and performs quite well, like it better than silicone. Did some differential work on a Jeep Rubicon, didn't have a lot of time, used Right Stuff on Diff covers, let sit for less than 10 minutes and had a great weekend wheeling on back country trails. Ran the Jeep another 10K miles with diffs never leaking a drop.