Head gaskets

[Richard Cranium]

Does anyone here spray the head gaskets with anything before bolting them to the block?

Felpro gaskets with the blue coating.

 

[69L48Z27]

I started using the copper spray a couple builds back. Never used it and sometimes I would get streaks down the engine block from coolant. Never a ‘leak’ but something happened. The copper spray gives me a little peace of mind that there’s a little sealer there. These were always the blue FelPro PermaTorque gaskets. It won’t hurt to use it but you don’t need it.

 

[PeteyDaMan]

I know they're twice the cost but Cometic MLS head gaskets seal great, don't need any coating and are reusable

 

[Hemirunner]

Does anyone here spray the head gaskets with anything before bolting them to the block?

Felpro gaskets with the blue coating.

No. Don’t spray anything on the blue gaskets. The copper coat spray mentioned should only be used on an MLS style gasket.

 

[Lefty71]

With the blue ones, you are ready to go, preferably with the bare finish as prepared by the machinist.

 

[Don Frelier]

I clean the surfaces really well.
Clean out the holes, oil the bolts and put it together.
I torque the last two steps at 10 lb increments each and go over them twice at each setting.

 

[davek]

I put them on dry.

 

[69Bee]

Fel-Pro Perma torque gaskets and Cometic gaskets go on dry and require NO sealers. The use of any sealer on these gaskets will compromise the sealing ability of the gasket, especially the MLS gaskets. The only gaskets that use copper spray are uncoated metal gaskets which are not really used anymore but are usually found on old engines. If a head shim is used due to the head being milled too much, only the block side of the shim is coated, then the head gasket goes on dry between the shim and head.

 

[GTX JOHN]

Beware of using the Fel Pro gaskets with and Iron /block and Aluminum
Heads. No more issues now that we use Cometic gaskets!

 

[Kern Dog]

Beware of using the Fel Pro gaskets with and Iron /block and Aluminum
Heads. No more issues now that we use Cometic gaskets!

For every member, a different opinion. I've used the Fel Pro Perma Torque blue gaskets on the various iterations of my 440 based 493 with Edelbrock heads. I have never had a failure. I've used Cometics too. I never use any spray coating on any of them.

 

[Cliff Ramsdell]

I install the blue felpro head gaskets and intake gaskets dry. I'll use the copper spray or mopar 4318035 on the paper gaskets such as water pump, timing cover and the such.

As for the adhesives such as the mopar 4318035 I have used that on the MLS gaskets starting with the late 90's Neons and such and the Cometic head gasket's

Cliff Ramsdell

 

[yella71]

Ive only used the copper spray on the single layer steel shim (factory style) gaskets. I havent used an MLS gasket on a big block at this point.

 

[Challenger340]

Dry

 

[khryslerkid]

Does anyone here spray the head gaskets with anything before bolting them to the block?

Felpro gaskets with the blue coating.

Are you taking apart that Hemi ?

 

[Richard Cranium]

Are you taking apart that Hemi ?

No, not at all. Had head gaskets leaking coolant on my recently rebuilt 440.