The Ford Barn

29er · 04-12-2017, 04:25 PM

My cylinder head is a 5.5:1. Two questions:

(1) What's the best gasket to use? Seem to be a couple of choices:

(a) the so-called "modern" head gasket with a steel core and "heavy-duty high-density gasket material coated with silicone; Install with no additional sealant". Example: Snyder's #B-6051-M:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/premium-head-gasket

(b) "B" head gasket in graphite or copper, both requiring sealant:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/b-head-gasket

(2) How many pounds of torque are used for this head? The reason I ask is I've gotten conflicting opinions on this. Bratton's catalog says 65#, but I called Snyder's this morning and the guy I talked to said 55#

Thanks in advance.

VFRhugh · 04-12-2017, 05:12 PM

I'm running a 6:1 head with the B copper gasket torqued to 55#. No problems but I did retorque every heat cycle till it stayed at 55#. Also had the block and new head surfaced before installing.
Hugh

29spcoupe · 04-12-2017, 05:44 PM

I used the premium head gasket (black) and torqued to 55#. Re-torqued when needed and no problems.

RawhideKid · 04-12-2017, 05:50 PM

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/brum...structions.htm

This has worked well for me.

msmaron · 04-12-2017, 07:34 PM

Torque to 60# and use "Best Gasket" . Re-Toruque at 100, 250 and 500 miles and your good to go!

29er · 04-13-2017, 01:01 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Looks like I can't go too wrong. Thanks for your input.

Dodge · 04-14-2017, 01:45 AM

He "best brand" model B composition gasket with copper coat on it and 55lbs. Torque with new std. studs. The grade 8 studs need 65 lbs. and I think the deck moves too much at 65 lbs. IMO they are thin.
Keep retorqueing after each heat cycle until it stops tightening up. And once again after your first long trip. Then maybe again at 500 and 1000 miles.

Afordman31 · 04-14-2017, 07:41 AM

When retorquing should the engine be hot or cold?

Dodge · 04-14-2017, 11:32 AM

I always do it cold.

29er · 04-14-2017, 11:37 AM

Thanks, Dodge. BTW, here's a great rundown on head gaskets. I know it's been posted before, but for future reference here it is again. And "Thanks" to Vince for his contributions to our knowledge about these wonderful cars:

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABcy...asketguide.htm

04-12-2017, 04:25 PM	#1
29er Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 465	Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? My cylinder head is a 5.5:1. Two questions: (1) What's the best gasket to use? Seem to be a couple of choices: (a) the so-called "modern" head gasket with a steel core and "heavy-duty high-density gasket material coated with silicone; Install with no additional sealant". Example: Snyder's #B-6051-M: http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/premium-head-gasket (b) "B" head gasket in graphite or copper, both requiring sealant: http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/b-head-gasket (2) How many pounds of torque are used for this head? The reason I ask is I've gotten conflicting opinions on this. Bratton's catalog says 65#, but I called Snyder's this morning and the guy I talked to said 55# Thanks in advance.

04-12-2017, 05:12 PM	#2
VFRhugh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 177	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? I'm running a 6:1 head with the B copper gasket torqued to 55#. No problems but I did retorque every heat cycle till it stayed at 55#. Also had the block and new head surfaced before installing. Hugh

04-12-2017, 05:44 PM	#3
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 761	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? I used the premium head gasket (black) and torqued to 55#. Re-torqued when needed and no problems.

04-12-2017, 05:50 PM	#4
RawhideKid BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Lower Left Coast Posts: 469	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/brum...structions.htm This has worked well for me.

04-12-2017, 07:34 PM	#5
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? Torque to 60# and use "Best Gasket" . Re-Toruque at 100, 250 and 500 miles and your good to go! __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

04-13-2017, 01:01 PM	#6
29er Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 465	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Looks like I can't go too wrong. Thanks for your input.

04-14-2017, 01:45 AM	#7
Dodge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sonoma, CA. Posts: 1,495	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? He "best brand" model B composition gasket with copper coat on it and 55lbs. Torque with new std. studs. The grade 8 studs need 65 lbs. and I think the deck moves too much at 65 lbs. IMO they are thin. Keep retorqueing after each heat cycle until it stops tightening up. And once again after your first long trip. Then maybe again at 500 and 1000 miles.

04-14-2017, 07:41 AM	#8
Afordman31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 580	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? When retorquing should the engine be hot or cold?

04-14-2017, 11:32 AM	#9
Dodge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sonoma, CA. Posts: 1,495	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? I always do it cold.

04-14-2017, 11:37 AM	#10
29er Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 465	Re: Specs for torque on HC cylinder head? Thanks, Dodge. BTW, here's a great rundown on head gaskets. I know it's been posted before, but for future reference here it is again. And "Thanks" to Vince for his contributions to our knowledge about these wonderful cars: http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABcy...asketguide.htm