sbc head gasket installation
 

With iron heads and using a shim steel head gasket, do you install them dry or use a sealant, i.e. Copper Coat?

I know you've got to use a sealant on the head bolts. That's not what I'm talking about.

Re: sbc head gasket installation
 

Bobby,
On steel shim head gaskets I use heat resistant silver pain that is made for barbeque grills and can be purchased at hardware stores such as Ace. Buy it in a can and put a thick coat on both sides of the gasket with a small paint brush. Let the paint dry slightly and install the heads while the paint is slightly tacky and torque the bolts to the recommended torque value in several steps increasing the torque by 5 lbs beginning at 30 ft/lbs until the target torque is reached. Have used this method on cast iron heads for 40+ years without a single head gasket failure.

Re: sbc head gasket installation
 

I now use Permatex spray copper coat. You can use "high temp aluminum" paint, but it seems to have been "reformulated" recently, and it does not work as well. That's why I switched to the copper coat about 4 years ago, after using the "High temp aluminum" paint for decades.

Re: sbc head gasket installation
 

Thanks guys. You gave me something to go with.

Re: sbc head gasket installation
 

Depends who makes the gasket. Using GM 711 gaskets, I always put them on dry (and have re-used them in a pinch with no problems). They are already coated with a special paint. If the head and/or deck were broach machined, it may be a benefit.