What is everyones thread sealent of choice? I am doing heads as we speak & just curious.

 

I got a buddy who's built many of many small blocks. He always dips his bolts in oil and torques 'em. This make sense for a better torque reading and his motors never leaked. But I think a sealant would be the way to go, YMMV. You're probably going to get a lot of opinions on this one.

 

I just checked the ARP website & they said use their moly lube or 30w oil.

Thanks

 

Between the ls1 heads and cam swaps I've done, I never used any sealent and they both turned out fine. As whomever said just use a little oil or even antiseize.

 

When I had my heads off I asked the guy at the machine shop and he advised using Indian Head which is a shellac (sp?) based product that you usually put on gaskets (throttle body gaskets and such) to help them seal and stick to the surfaces.

 

I think you are supposed to use thread sealant on the outside bolts (the short ones under the exhaust). I remember the book saying you had to on my 88. The bolts there thread into the water jacket and you would have leaks without the sealant.

 

FWIW, the factory manual says to use thread sealing compound on the head bolts.

 

ARP also markets (with their label) a thread sealant. Probably sells this for a reason.

 

You are asking for trouble if you dont put sealer on them, especially when the factory ones have it on them. Go to AZ and get Engine Moly Lube, and some liquid/paster teflon, put the moly on the bottom threads and the teflon on the upper ones.

thats what i did and it works great

 

I used Permatex Teflon Thread Sealer. I buy a little 4 oz tub of the stuff and put it on my Knock Sensor, Water Jacket Drain Plug and all Head bolts. I did this on my motor the first time over 50,000 miles ago and I only tore it down because of damage caused by a broken valve spring. Works great.

IMHO if bolts are going into the water jacket you really need a thread sealer.

 

I used arp bolts with my head install and used the arp moly lube and the thread sealer on the bolts that go through the water jackets. I've had no problems at all. Hope this helps.

 

Stock head bolt have sealant on them already, I use a little bit of ARP lube when assembling and thats it...

-Shannon

 

Thanks all.