Head bolt thread sealant
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (corvette90)
Pipe thread sealant. Not the Teflon tape. Also, oil the bolt heads to reduce likelihood of false torque reading.
[Modified by Dominic Sorresso, 4:00 PM 11/10/2003]
[Modified by Dominic Sorresso, 4:00 PM 11/10/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (Dominic Sorresso)
Pipe thread sealant. Not the Teflon tape. Also, oil the bolt heads to reduce likelihood of false torque reading.
[Modified by Dominic Sorresso, 4:00 PM 11/10/2003]
[Modified by Dominic Sorresso, 4:00 PM 11/10/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (MrNuke)
I wouldn't go with just pipe thread sealant in the non tape form. I did this on the build up of my engine. The antifreeze ate that stuff up in about 30 min I had antifreeze coming out of every bolt along the bottom. I would us the stuff from ARP
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (corvette90)
I just finished putting AFR heads on my 94 last weekend - used Permatex thread sealant with teflon (item # 80631 14A). This product is supposed to be a duplicate of what GM used to assemble the engines originally and seemed to work fine. I had to removed a couple of bolts (another story) and the stuff really adhears to the threads. I've driven the car approx. 200 miles and everything is sealed tight.......good luck.
:seeya
:seeya
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (corvette90)
Any quality gasket shellac should do the trick.
You know the kind that if you get it on your fingers, it's there for a week ... :lol:
You know the kind that if you get it on your fingers, it's there for a week ... :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (Topload)
I have TFS 23d heads and their website offers excllent installation instructions at http://www.trickflow.com.
Here's what they suggest for sealant and what I used:
Installing the Trick Flow Heads
With the block clean and all checks completed, position the head gaskets per the manufacturer's markings. Some head gaskets will have "UP" imprinted on one side, while others may have "FRONT." When the gasket is positioned correctly, don't be alarmed if some of the holes in the block are restricted by a smaller hole in the gasket. This is done intentionally to regulate coolant flow.
With gaskets in place, push the heads down onto the dowel pins evenly so that the head is flat against the gasket.
Next, place all head bolt washers on the head to protect the aluminum surface. Put a small amount of ARP moly lube on the tops of all washers once they are in place.
There are three different lengths of head bolts/studs. Coat all threads with a premium thread sealer (Permatex 3H Aviation Form-a-Gasket for bolts, Loctite Blue for studs), let them set up for a while, then place the bolts in their proper locations. Torque the bolts in the three stages below, following the sequence in Figure 1:
Step One: 32 ft.-lbs.
Step Two: 52 ft.-lbs.
Step Three: 70 ft.-lbs.
Figure 1
Go over once again at 70 ft.-lbs. to be safe. Retorquing shouldn't be necessary after initial break-in, but can be done if desired.
Here's what they suggest for sealant and what I used:
Installing the Trick Flow Heads
With the block clean and all checks completed, position the head gaskets per the manufacturer's markings. Some head gaskets will have "UP" imprinted on one side, while others may have "FRONT." When the gasket is positioned correctly, don't be alarmed if some of the holes in the block are restricted by a smaller hole in the gasket. This is done intentionally to regulate coolant flow.
With gaskets in place, push the heads down onto the dowel pins evenly so that the head is flat against the gasket.
Next, place all head bolt washers on the head to protect the aluminum surface. Put a small amount of ARP moly lube on the tops of all washers once they are in place.
There are three different lengths of head bolts/studs. Coat all threads with a premium thread sealer (Permatex 3H Aviation Form-a-Gasket for bolts, Loctite Blue for studs), let them set up for a while, then place the bolts in their proper locations. Torque the bolts in the three stages below, following the sequence in Figure 1:
Step One: 32 ft.-lbs.
Step Two: 52 ft.-lbs.
Step Three: 70 ft.-lbs.
Figure 1
Go over once again at 70 ft.-lbs. to be safe. Retorquing shouldn't be necessary after initial break-in, but can be done if desired.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (Dominic Sorresso)
thank you for all your answers...
my problem is, that permatex is not available here in Austria, and cannot shipped by air..(its hazardous, i was told)
i need to find another stuff...
have Loctite 542 at home, its a thread sealant for hydraulic lines...
can the thread sealant harden out, or must it stay rubberly??
i hope, somebody can tell me what to use...
thank you!!!!
my problem is, that permatex is not available here in Austria, and cannot shipped by air..(its hazardous, i was told)
i need to find another stuff...
have Loctite 542 at home, its a thread sealant for hydraulic lines...
can the thread sealant harden out, or must it stay rubberly??
i hope, somebody can tell me what to use...
thank you!!!!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: Aptos CA
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (No Go)
ARP offers their own thread sealant just for that situation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (Skippy Stone)
It isn't so much as untorquing, but the leakage from the cooling system thru the threads. The head bolts go into the coolant system and will leak if you don't use some type of sealant.
I've even used Blue RTV with good results-terrible cleanup on disassembly, but it worked fine.
I would also mention torque to the value your fasteners are rated for-ARP is different than OEM, etc...don't follow OEM for ARP fasteners...my aluminum heads required 65 ft/lbs with ARP bolts.
:)
I've even used Blue RTV with good results-terrible cleanup on disassembly, but it worked fine.
I would also mention torque to the value your fasteners are rated for-ARP is different than OEM, etc...don't follow OEM for ARP fasteners...my aluminum heads required 65 ft/lbs with ARP bolts.
:)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: Aptos CA
Re: Head bolt thread sealant (No Go)
It isn't so much as untorquing, but the leakage from the cooling system thru the threads. The head bolts go into the coolant system and will leak if you don't use some type of sealant.
I've even used Blue RTV with good results-terrible cleanup on disassembly, but it worked fine.
I would also mention torque to the value your fasteners are rated for-ARP is different than OEM, etc...don't follow OEM for ARP fasteners...my aluminum heads required 65 ft/lbs with ARP bolts.
:)
I've even used Blue RTV with good results-terrible cleanup on disassembly, but it worked fine.
I would also mention torque to the value your fasteners are rated for-ARP is different than OEM, etc...don't follow OEM for ARP fasteners...my aluminum heads required 65 ft/lbs with ARP bolts.
:)
