Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Hi. This question has probably been answered many times with lots of lively discussion, but I would like to bring it up again. :o

The situation: I have a 36 FH pickup with cast iron heads. The heads and block seem to be flat, but I am getting water in one cylinder on each bank.

What type of head gasket should I use (type and MFG)?
What type of sealant and application process -- not the torque sequence).
What torque value?
How many times will need to re-torque the heads?

Thanks
Rick Seattle WA

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

If Best Gasket makes them for your head, I'd seek those out. Follow their instructions for installation. Myself, I have coated them with the copper spray, KW I think.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

I'm just finishing mine up. Same thing.1936 21 stud cast iron heads.This is what I used/did: I ordered "Best" gaskets from Napa.Part #507 G (Ford V-8 221 1932-1938 [21 stud]truck 1932-1937).The parts house guys and the machine shop guys said "No sealant" with this type gasket (Graph Tite).I went with Ol Ron's suggestion, 45 lbs. torque in increments of 5 lbs (I think he recommended 10 Lbs.) This morning I did the 5th re-torque and one or two of the nuts moved just a little so I'll warm it up again,let it sit overnight and do it again.I took the heads to the machine shop to have them checked.They were out a little so they surfaced them for me.Surfacing was @$90 and gaskets were @ $110.So far,so good.No leaks.The machine shop checked the heads by laying a straight edge on the surface from end to end and slipped a feeler gauge between the straight edge and the head surface....it was out about .007.I didn't seem like much to me but I had them surfaced anyway.I'm not much of a mechanic....just telling you what I did. Good luck. Gene

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Oops, I forgot something....I looked up the gaskets in one of my catalogs and there was a couple of styles.You may want to take one of your old gaskets with you for a comparison if you order from a parts house.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Seem to be flat? How about measuring them?

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Yes the heads are true and flat (as measured with 2 different straight edges) :)

I can't seem to find Best Gasket as the domain name doesn't work anymore?

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Did you check to see if the block is cracked between 2 and 3 on each side, what cylinders are you getting water in? Very common crack from valve seat to cylinder wall.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Rick, 36 pickup, but what engine is in it?

Lonnie

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

I put a thin smear of ordinary grease on the Graphtite gaskets, otherwise they bond themselves to the surfaces, which is a bitch to remove come replacement time. I got my Best Graphtites from Macs.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

I use perm2 spray on any composite head gaskets. Is it nessary, probably not. But its easy to remove vs indian head gasket sealant. Which is really great stuff! To me it cant hurt, do you put sealant on new head studs? Probably, so why not a coat on the gaskets?

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

I like the copper gaskets because you can use them over, and over, and over, etc.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

It is a 32 block (poured mains) 21 studs with 36 parts everywhere else.

No cracks in the block, and with the studs in as best as I can measure it looks flat and true.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

I forgot to mention, use Hi-Tac sealent on oth sides and torque to 45 ft/lbs for 3 hear cycles.. Not sure if they nake then for the 21 stud I have some steel sandwich gaskets that I used on AV8 pauls engine.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

BEST GASKET Can be had from www.earlyford.com I like the complete set part No. RS 507 G Bill ;)

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Rick - get the heads machined, mine cleaned up easy, took about 5 thou off each head. Graphtite gaskets are fine. Best Gasket seems to be offline. Spray the gaskets with copper spray or use dry, your decision.

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Thank you for all the recommendations. I will let you know how the replacement and "no leaks" transpires.

Does anyone have a phone number for "Best Gasket"?

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

Best Gasket does not sell direct,just through dealers.

John

Re: Cast Iron Head gasket recommendation?
 

If you were going to have the heads milled, why not mill them for .050" piston to head clrarance and get better mileage as well.