Head Bolts on a 8BA

[GOSFAST]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Gary, Can you re-torque head bolts if you use the hard setting Permatex?

There's absloluetly no problem re-torquing head bolts when using the #1 Permatex, it takes a very long time for this sealer to actually "setup" as solid?

Generally you have a fair amount of time to go over the fasteners again if necessary!

(Add) Just a tip I keep mentioning when filling the cooling system from "day-one", do NOT put any anti-freeze in at all, use only fresh water (BUT, do be aware of the weather conditions?). The anti-freeze tends to retard any pin-leaks from sealing themselves up especially in the head bolt/stud area. Occasionally during a dyno session we'll see water coming up some studs on a few of the Chevy's, by the time the session is over they have all usually stopped leaking!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. On a side note here we've not found it necessary to re-torque any Flathead heads after they're bolted on, none of my customers have either that I'm aware of anyway! I assume much of this depends on the choice of gaskets/fasteners? We mostly use ARP on a regular basis!

[19Fordy]

Thanks, Gary for that very helpful information.

[JWL]

I do not know how many engines (Flathead) I have dealt with but I have NEVER seen one that did not need head bolts/studs re-torqued after cycling. I have used several different thread "sealers" and mostly have used #2 Permatex over the past 10 years because it is easy to find and works.