best thread sealer for arp head studs

[turbo john FL]

want to know what has been the best results with installing arp head studs as far as thread sealer . getting ready to put together my new stroker short block thanks for any input guys JOHN

 

[DR BOOST]

blue loctite

 

[forcefed3.8's]

Ultra black gasket maker.

 

[turbodave231]

X2.........tried the ARP sealer and White permatex thread sealer and had seepage. Ultra Black RTV always works for me!!

 

[S10xGN]

X2.........tried the ARP sealer and White permatex thread sealer and had seepage. Ultra Black RTV always works for me!!

Same here, leakage with the white Permatex sealer. I used the leftover "stuff" Jason (RJC) ships with his head gaskets. Some kind of RTV...

 

[wickedtt]

Loctite 567 always works for me.

 

[turbo nasty]

Permatex #2 nuff said

 

[TurboBuRick]

I don't think any one of the three mentioned would let you down. Just make sure everything is good and clean. Get a good application. Apply the sealer of choice. Run the stud in and out Apply a little more sealer re install.


HTH

RL

 

[ThikStik]

When it comes to head bolts, what always strikes me as weird is that your putting oil on bolts WITH sealer...seems like it would keep sealer from working. I have some Hercules Megaloc in a big can, i think from Grainger supply...ive always wondered if it would work. It is like a grey pasted and lists multiple uses. I hate the tiny /$$ tube from Permatex.

 

[TurboDave]

When it comes to head bolts, what always strikes me as weird is that your putting oil on bolts WITH sealer...seems like it would keep sealer from working. I have some Hercules Megaloc in a big can, i think from Grainger supply...ive always wondered if it would work. It is like a grey pasted and lists multiple uses. I hate the tiny /$$ tube from Permatex.

That's the mistake SO MANY folks make. You DO NOT put oil on the threads of head bolts that penatrate the water jacket (like ours do)!!!! You use a high quality TEFLON based thread sealer only. The oil goes on the washer, and bolt head, and no retorques like you do with studs. Retorqueing studs does not disturb the thread sealer. Retorqueing head bolts does in fact disturb the thread sealer because the threads are turning, and more often than not will break up the sealer and result in seepage.

 

[turbo nasty]

Best to use the sealant for its intended purpose. I.E.- thread sealant. And one that stays pliable is superior IMO. This is always a debackle of many opinions.

 

[Nick Micale]

I have seen this question posted many time over the years, and the answers are almost the same as many of the products mentioned will work fine!

But I was just thinking that when the factory put these engines together over 25 years ago, most of these products were not even available, and many of the owners not even born yet?

As I am very "old school" and have been doing heads longer than I care to remember, I use many methods that are now outdated, and one of them is the use of gasket sealer, especially for cylinder head replacements.

Not sure if GM still sells "Gasket Sealing Compound" [part no. 1050026] which is a 16 oz can with a brush top container and it is a non-hardening compound. This sealer goes liberally on the threads, and ARP lube on the washers/nuts for the installation.

Using this method on many thousands of turbo Buick head bolts and studs, I have not ever had a water leak problem.

 

[SS/GN]

Nick we have always used that or ultra black silicone on our cars.The GM stuff you refer to is also made and sold from Edelbrock.I like the ultra black silicone myself,and as you said a dab of oil on the washwers.

Kevin

 

[turbo nasty]

Aviation permatex and eldebrock gask a cinch is still available Nick and comes in a can with a brush

 

[ThikStik]

Good to hear that oil is not used on bolts...i never saw that as good advise. Now, im wondering how many problems are caused by bolt re-torks. I know alot of gaskets call for a re-tork. When ive done a re-tork, the bolts never go beyond where they started . This is after backing bolt, then going for ultimate tork again. So did Buick use the old GM gasket sealer compound?

 

[turbo john FL]

another question ?? how much should i torque the studs themselves in the block ? again these are arp head studs ??

 

[BEATAV8]

Loctite hydraulic thread sealant.

 

[Razor]

another question ?? how much should i torque the studs themselves in the block ? again these are arp head studs ??

If the holes are cleaned out, the studs should thread all the way down. I would say by hand. And they shouldnt move once you start tightening down the nuts.

 

[turbo john FL]

do i torque them to 4:10 ???? couldnt help myself ! but do i torque or just hand snug then drop on heads and just torque the nuts ?

 

[Razor]

I just snug them down and call it a day.

Lots of ARP lube on nut threads and washers.