Tonawanda Engine Sealant?

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Jun 1, 2016 | 10:19 PM

KingRat

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Tonawanda Engine Sealant?

I am rebuilding an original '69 427. I bought an NOS GM Engine gasket set. Does anyone know what type sealant (and color), if any, used originally at the Tonawanda assembly plant? - Intake, Heads, valve covers, etc.

Thanks!

Jun 2, 2016 | 11:24 AM

MelWff

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why wouldn't you take advantage of sealant improvements over the last 47 years?

Jun 2, 2016 | 10:17 PM

marshal135

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MelWff

why wouldn't you take advantage of sealant improvements over the last 47 years?

Jun 2, 2016 | 11:13 PM

CanadaGrant

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From: BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRat

There wasn't any. I took apart my original 69 L36 and the only sealant was at the corners of the heads/intake and it was black. This was an original nylon cam gear never been apart 427. There were not any exhaust gaskets. Metal to metal. When I went through my engine I used the best I could get instead of the old cork stuff as i think a Felpro one piece pan gasket is better than a 4 piece cork one that looks right but leaks two days later.

Last edited by CanadaGrant; Jun 2, 2016 at 11:14 PM.

Jun 4, 2016 | 12:42 PM

centuryoldracer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRat

I don't know if the factory ever used it, but the sealant of the day back then was this Brown runny stuff called Indian Head, and the cap when unscrewed had a applicator brush attached to it. If you are using the shim stock head gaskets I would spray them with stuff called copper coat I think Permatex makes it. Helps them not leak water.

Jun 4, 2016 | 10:46 PM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

If your gasket set only uses cork gaskets, you will need to use a gasket sealer (if you want them to stay sealed). Suggest using Permatex gasket sealer (tube). Light wipe on both surfaces, install and torque bolts to 1/2 required torque. Let set a few hours, then torque bolts to required level.

If your gasket set uses combination cork/rubber gaskets, you don't really need sealant on them if everything is dry and oil-free when installed.

Last edited by 7T1vette; Jun 4, 2016 at 10:47 PM.

Jun 6, 2016 | 12:17 AM

76C3forme

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From: Bucks County PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by centuryoldracer

....... but the sealant of the day back then was this Brown runny stuff called Indian Head, and the cap when unscrewed had a applicator brush attached to it. .....

Man, that's a blast from the past!

I remember a can of that stuff still sitting in my friends dad's garage when we were growing up. I Used that on all of the cork gaskets on my valve covers, oil pan etc on my first engine build in my 68 Mustang.

Last edited by 76C3forme; Jun 6, 2016 at 12:18 AM.

Jun 6, 2016 | 01:25 PM

gungatim

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From: shelbyville West Michigan

you can still buy the indean head stuff, I just bought a bottle of it myself. I like it for certain things, like when I have to make a gasket from a paper grocery sack on an old motor, but not necessarily on a vette engine except maybe the water pump gaskets...spray tack is good stuff too. with modern gaskets there is very little need for sealants any more. the days of spraying aluminum spray-paint on head gaskets are long over...