Noob 31 build in NH
 

Hello to the Ford forums, I have a 31 sedan that I'm in the process of replacing gaskets on... I had removed the head and some other parts out of the bay for powder coating and now ready to start re-assembling. Any thing I should do or know before bolting the head back on? Block and head surfaces have been scraped clean.

I will upload some pictures to my photobucket tomorrow as I know threads are worthless without pics. I'll also give a little background as to who I am/what I do :)

Re: Noob 31 build in NH
 

Welcome to the Barn
The deck and head should be checked for being flat, they do change over time and use. Unless it is a show car do not use a gasket under the hater outlet on the head. A thin coat of RTV will do the trick. Torque in steps.

Re: Noob 31 build in NH
 

I had to remove my head to replace rings, valves and valve guides. I had good results using Snyder's best copper gasket, along with Copper Coat, sprayed on the gasket. I laid the sticky gasket on the block, then screwed in new studs. Use anti seize on the stud threads. Torque gradually in steps, per Les Andrews book. Like Mike V, I also used RTV on the water outlet. I checked the torque cold, about 5 times, after several 150 mile runs. I torqued 65 lbs. on my 5.5 head. Standard head should be 55 lbs.

Re: Noob 31 build in NH
 

Snyder's told me to torque their 5.5 head to 55 foot pounds as any tighter can cause the studs to lift and distort the area around the studs.

Re: Noob 31 build in NH
 

I would like to suggest that you load photos directly into fordbarn. Photos that get loaded into an outside server tend to disappear with time.

Charlie Stephens