[GDRAFT]

Do I need RTV/sealer on my 289 header gaskets?? thanks

[GDRAFT]

not to mention..........can't find the torque specs anywhere

[2oo5GT]

you can use just the gaskets but some skip out on the gaskets and just use the high temp gasket sealant.

[GDRAFT]

Originally Posted by 2oo5GT

you can use just the gaskets but some skip out on the gaskets and just use the high temp gasket sealant.

cool, thanks man.....the more I look, it seems like most say the sealer just burns off because of the heat

[Dave]

There is a copper colored sealer made for that application (Permetex). Torque for a '66' is 13-18 ft-lbs but a 5.0 is 26-32 ft-lbs. Don't know why there would be that much of a difference. Use Never-Seize on the bolts, it's good to over 2000 deg F.
Dave

[429ragtop]

if your using gaskets then skip the sealer. No sealer will last there anyway including copper rtv.

[Sick467]

This is the stuff Dave is talking about, its not RTV gasket sealer and I wouldn't use any kind of silicone/RTV type "gasket maker" on head gaskets - Bad Bad Bad.

Permatex 80697 Ships Store Torresen

You can find this stuff at most car part stores, I just found a quick Google reference for an example and have NOT dealt with the above source.

I swear by this stuff especially if your engine is of higher compresion. It is thin and pretty tacky. It helps keep the gasket in place while placing the head and it really seals the gasket to the block and head surfaces after torqueing. It's not neccessary if your engine runs fine on 87 octane (lower compresion) nor is any other kind of sealer. The combo on my Pontiac 400 -10.75:1 compression is Flelpro Blue Head gaskets with the raised rubber like beads and Permatex copper seal. Oh, DON'T spray it on the head or block - just on the gasket (both sides)!

[The Greek]

I've been using a set of "Dead Soft" layered aluminum gaskets made by Percy's called "Seal-4-Good". They'll last for years and if the header flange is warped, they'll still seal. You can reuse them. Summit and Jeg's and any good speed shop should have them. They cost more than regular gaskets, but you won't need to replace them.

The torque for the header bolts on a small block Ford. The reason for the difference in the torque specs. is probably because the 66 engine used a cast iron manifold. The later model 5.0 installed in Mustangs had factory shorty headers. Different bolt lengths, different torque spec., maybe.

[Sick467]

MY MISTAKE FOLKS,

I was talking about head gaskets NOT header gaskets. I think I was still asleep. Sorry! I have never used sealer on header gaskets, but I just perused Percy's web site and I like what I saw. Good tip Greek.

[The Greek]

I have had extremely good results with FelPro's P/N 1011-2 head gaskets. They have copper sealing rings around the cylinder bores and require no additional sealant anywhere on the head surface. I don't recommend using the P/N 1011-1 with the steel sealing rings especially with aluminum heads. The steel rings will etch grooves into the head surface. The 1011-2's soft copper won't do this.