Which Sealer To Use ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69sixpackbee · 05-10-2002, 10:49 AM

What is the best sealing compound to use on the head fasteners when building a big block?ARP is OK but what do I get to use from a local parts house? I don't want to wait a week and have to pay 8 bucks to get a 2 dollar tube of sealer. Permatex #2 maybe? What do the Chevy garage techs use?

tom hand · 05-10-2002, 10:56 AM

I have used permatex with no problems. I have even used silcone and teflon tape in a pinch.[I used to be a maintanace mechanic, and sometimes you would try anything just so you could go home] The only reason for putting anything on the threads is to prevent water leaks.

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72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

*Fast68Chevy* · 05-10-2002, 11:33 AM

only bad thing about using silicone is that when you go to do next head swap on it when you use the tap it will make pieces of silicone fall into the water jacket, i always use pipe thread brush on compound that plumbers use, good for hi temp and lubricates threads and all, always wire brush threads of all bolts and run the tap through head bolt holes in the block decks. dont want head to not torque down as tight as the wrench says. Im a neat freak when it comes to gaskets and sealing, i always use denatured alcohol on the head and deck surfaces after running air powered rigght angle drill with brillo pad on it. I use brake cleaner and air to clean heads out first then clean deck surface and use the alcohol to finish off with. talk about gaskets stickin and sealin!
good luck

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Randy- Lincoln, IL
randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230
*many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham

current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1
-90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, a driver
-84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver
-84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2
-82 purple Trans Am, project #3
*Paint is overrated*
© RSS Enterprises 2000

[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited May 10, 2002).]

Mixup · 05-10-2002, 12:32 PM

GM uses Permatex thread sealant with teflon part #80633.

05-10-2002, 12:32 PM	#4
Mixup Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 358	GM uses Permatex thread sealant with teflon part #80633. __________________ 1980 Chevy Shortbed Pickup 1969 Z28 engine Turbo 350

05-10-2002, 10:49 AM	#1
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Which Sealer To Use ?? What is the best sealing compound to use on the head fasteners when building a big block?ARP is OK but what do I get to use from a local parts house? I don't want to wait a week and have to pay 8 bucks to get a 2 dollar tube of sealer. Permatex #2 maybe? What do the Chevy garage techs use?

05-10-2002, 10:56 AM	#2
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I have used permatex with no problems. I have even used silcone and teflon tape in a pinch.[I used to be a maintanace mechanic, and sometimes you would try anything just so you could go home] The only reason for putting anything on the threads is to prevent water leaks. ------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

05-10-2002, 11:33 AM	#3
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	only bad thing about using silicone is that when you go to do next head swap on it when you use the tap it will make pieces of silicone fall into the water jacket, i always use pipe thread brush on compound that plumbers use, good for hi temp and lubricates threads and all, always wire brush threads of all bolts and run the tap through head bolt holes in the block decks. dont want head to not torque down as tight as the wrench says. Im a neat freak when it comes to gaskets and sealing, i always use denatured alcohol on the head and deck surfaces after running air powered rigght angle drill with brillo pad on it. I use brake cleaner and air to clean heads out first then clean deck surface and use the alcohol to finish off with. talk about gaskets stickin and sealin! good luck ------------------ Randy- Lincoln, IL randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230 many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1 -90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, a driver -84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver -84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2 -82 purple Trans Am, project #3 Paint is overrated* © RSS Enterprises 2000 [This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited May 10, 2002).]



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