Hot air headgasket sealing

[forcefed3.8's]

What are you guys using to seal up the stock steel head gaskets? It is time to get the 85 out of the garage and running again with a cool transformation.

 

[cool 84]

Steel shim with a light coat of spray on copper RTV.

 

[Turbo Riviera]

I second the motion on the floor by cool 84.

I must have blown up 2 dozen sets of gaskets before I quit screwing around with aftermarket stuff.

Stock steel shim gaskets right from the Buick dealer. I put a couple of light coats of copper RTV spray as well.

Some things that I do that maybe others don't, are: Tap all bolt holes to clean the threads out. I also buy a brand new set of head bolts from the Buick dealer every time I change them out as well. I personally torque to 70 lbs on a new set of bolts. Much past that and you're overstretching the bolt.

I can honestly say that after doing this I have NEVER blown a head gasket after 500+ 1/4 mile runs at over 20 PSI on my hot airs.

The only exception to this rule was once when I left my car at the body shop. I got it back and it was pouring coolant out the exhaust... The shop denies any wrong doing. YEAH RIGHT!

 

[forcefed3.8's]

Thanks. I just got done doing my GN. I have had good luck with the 86 gaskets. The 85's, I have never messed with. I was going to use a set of 86's, but the 85's are bought and paid for, and the 86's are $40 a piece. I had to put my spare 85 block in my 86. I ran over the crank last year, and just finally decided to use my 20,000 mile 85 long block.

 

[Dwayne]

Keep this in mind: the deck height is different on the 84/85 blocks than the 86/87 blocks. So unless you deck the block, be sure to use the correct year headgasket with your block. The compressed thickness is different......good luck