Composite head gaskets

[Jim Callan]

Are he Felpro composite head gaskets 'really' installed dry ?

Thanks

Jim Callan

[John H.]

Re: Composite head gaskets

Jim -

Yes, they are - I've used many of them - no sealer required.

[Jim Callan]

Thanks! John *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: Composite head gaskets

Jim-----

Not only Fel-Pro, but all composite head gaskets are installed without sealer. The only ones that require sealer are the steel shim-type gaskets WHICH ARE NOT PRE-COATED WITH ALUMINUM PAINT. Most of the steel shim gaskets still available are pre-coated and, thus, require no additional sealer.

[John L.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

Joe,
Are the Steel Shim Head Gaskets available from GM for my 71 LS5 Coated?
I was considering them for my recent head rework, I wasn't aware that they were coated. Also can you give me the current part # and current list price?
Thanks for the info.
John Liner

[Joe L.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

John-----

The part number for the big block steel shim gasket is GM #330860 and it currently GM lists for $15.14/each. These gaskets are pre-coated.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

part #14015351 BUT you must put on your own high temp aluminum paint and about $9 each

[John Liner]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

Thanks Joe,
By the way, what type of coating is on the gaskets? Can you see or feel it? Just wondering, Thanks for the reply.
John Liner

[Joe L.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

John-----

Yes, it's easy to see it. It looks like the gaskets are painted with an aluminum paint. Non-coated gaskets look like raw steel. The problem with the non-coated gaskets is that they sometimes rust in the package, even though there is usually some of the "anti-rust" paper in the package to "prevent" this. Any rust can affect the sealing of the gasket and MUST be removed prior to applying sealer and installing the gasket on the engine. If the rust causes any pitting, at all, of the gasket, then the gasket should not be used.

[Page C.]

Head Bolt Sealant

Hi Clem,
I have a guestion along the same lines as the head gaskets concerning what to use on the head bolts as a sealant. There are alot of industrial thread sealant on the market today that have a "Tefon Formula", Are non-seizing and non-hardening. Can something like this be used with good results?
Thanks,
Page Campbell

[Clem Z.]

Re: Head Bolt Sealant

i have always used permatex part# 80019 aviation formagasket and never had a leaker

[Clem Z.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

joe every GM steel shim head gasket i ever bought,both BB and SB were coated a silver grey color but i always painted them with aluminum high temp paint. things may have changed now as i have not bought any for better than 10 years. are the stainless steel ones #6269577 still available as they are the way to go because you never have to worry about them rusting out

[Dick W.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

Loctite PST, pipe thread sealant with teflon, will work very well also. It is a thread lubricant and sealer

[Joe L.]

Re: Composite head gaskets / Joe L.

clem-----

I can't say, for sure, if I've ever seen a GM shim-type head gasket that was uncoated. The ones that I've seen may have been aftermarket. However, I do think that the coated ones do not really require the addition of any sealer. Of course, with the shim-type gaskets the addition of sealer (aluminum paint or the copper stuff) won't hurt anything.

The stainless steel gaskets, GM #6269577, were discontinued in December, 1990 and replaced by GM #14096405. However, the latter is a composition type gasket and not a shim type. It is a stainless/graphite composition. Also, the 6269577 and 14096405 are SMALL BLOCK gaskets. I don't know of a GM stainless steel shim-type gaskets for big blocks. However, they may be available from Mercury Marine.

[Joe L.]

Re: Head Bolt Sealant

Page-----

I use the Lock-Tite pipe thread sealer with Teflon on head bolts requiring it (none of those on the "ZL-1" do, though, since they're all blind-tapped). This product is also available under GM #12346004. All new GM head bolts for small blocks are supplied with this sealer pre-applied.