Head Gasket Rules ?

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   What are the guide lines for head gaskets. I have installed them and for one reason or another had to remove the head again. Is there a limit of how many times you should torque down a head gasket. What is the time factor - Older engines always get a new gasket if the head is removed - What about recent overhauls of 2 - 3 years.Heard of people spraying with silver paint - only on used gaskets ? Why silver ? Never add any sealer to prevent water or compression leaks ?? Or is some sealer better than others ?
Thanks, Larry Miller

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Larry Miller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 21 Nov 2009 Location: NWIL Points: 898	Post Options Post Reply Quote Larry Miller Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Head Gasket Rules ? Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 7:03am
	What are the guide lines for head gaskets. I have installed them and for one reason or another had to remove the head again. Is there a limit of how many times you should torque down a head gasket. What is the time factor - Older engines always get a new gasket if the head is removed - What about recent overhauls of 2 - 3 years. Heard of people spraying with silver paint - only on used gaskets ? Why silver ? Never add any sealer to prevent water or compression leaks ?? Or is some sealer better than others ? Thanks, Larry Miller
	I used to be young and stupid, now I am not young anymore.

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DrAllis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Points: 20485	Post Options Post Reply Quote DrAllis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 7:37am
	My own personal preference (WC-WD-WD45-D17-170-175) is to rub a very thin layer of RTV silicone around all water passage holes and all around the O.D. 1/4" of the entire head gasket on both sides, so the RTV seals all water from seeping and no oil can seep on the pushrod side. Also the two gaskets on top of the head for the thermostat hsg and a cover plate I never use (because they sometimes squish out), just use RTV. I prefer orange, gold or red RTV. Retorque head bolts COLD after engine has been run for a time (after a dyno run is good) and reset tappets. Head bolt holes must be clean in the block and bolt threads must be lubed with grease or oil so they aren't dry. If your concern is a WD45, D15, D17 or D19 diesel, they are junk and can't usually be fixed without spending a lot of $$$$$$....poor sleeve lip design (or I should say no lip to hold the sleeve "up").

Dick L Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Edon Ohio Points: 5087	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dick L Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 8:25am
	Back years ago silver paint was used to be able to reuse the head gasket. Some how it was thought that it was a sealer rather than a anti seize. When a head gasket does not stick fast it can and was reused buy some. When I was pulling every weekend I have pulled the head and reused the gasket if it had not stuck without any problems. I have never used the silver paint which is paint with fine aluminum particles. Aluminum anti seize just has more aluminum particles and grease of some kind.

Brian G. NY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: 12194 Points: 2241	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian G. NY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 9:18am
	When Ford came out with the high compression 312 interceptor engine they recommended painting both sides of the head gasket with aluminum paint, letting it dry and then painting both sidea again and assemble when wet.

Gerald J. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Hamilton Co, IA Points: 5636	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gerald J. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:27am
	Some gasket makers want it torqued onces, not retorqued. Some like it torqued twice the second one are running a while. Not all head gaskets are made alike and need to be treated alike. Gerald J.

Coke-in-MN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Afton MN Points: 41568	Post Options Post Reply Quote Coke-in-MN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:43am
	follow the gasket mfg recomondations, I used silver paint for long time on the steel gaskets that had the ridge stamped in them , on composition gaskets it called for sealer I use copper coat now. Fel-Pro gaskets were pre treated for a long time and said not to use any material on them. On other gaskets I have used grease, copper-coat, and also RTV gold or red depending on heat. trick to RTV is thin layer (next to nothing) let skin then install.
	Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something. "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Brian Jasper co. Ia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Prairie City Ia Points: 10508	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian Jasper co. Ia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 11:13am
	For me it depends on gasket type and material. Most Fel-Pro head gaskets are teflon coated. On those, I install dry. If it is a metal or metal clad type, I use Copper Coat on them. Late model multi layer metal go in dry. Old engines like tractors get retorqued. New stuff doesn't. Technically speaking, a head gasket is not reuseable. They take a crush only once. I haven't tried to reuse one, but I have heard many say they paint them and reuse without any problems. Your mileage may vary...
	"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford