Head bolt thread sealant - What do you use ?

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mtnmankev

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Wondering what you kids use to seal the head bolts where they go into the water jacket.
I have heard a few ideas ranging from silicone to anti seize .........
 

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mtnmankev

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SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT !!!!!!!!!!

How did that work out for you using p-nut butter ?
 

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The first engine I put together as a teen, I used anti-seize. Mostly because I didn't want the bolts to seize, lol. I never actually gave any thought to the water jackets. I later realized my oversight, but I never had any issues.

Every engine since then, I've used a quality thread sealant or often just ultra black rtv.
 

mtnmankev

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It's been so long since I built an engine I forgot what brand sealer I used.
Might have been one of the Permatex numbers.
For some reason, I always shied away from using RTV silicone, even though now it appears to be just fine.
The machine shop uses The Right Stuff (brand name RTV) but dang, it's expensive at the parts store, and I am not convinced it's THAT much more better.
I seem to recall as a teen I used engine oil as a lube on the head bolt threads and torqued them down, and never had any issues.
Maybe now in my old age I am getting too paranoid about details.
 

idahovette

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It's been so long since I built an engine I forgot what brand sealer I used.
Might have been one of the Permatex numbers.
For some reason, I always shied away from using RTV silicone, even though now it appears to be just fine.
The machine shop uses The Right Stuff (brand name RTV) but dang, it's expensive at the parts store, and I am not convinced it's THAT much more better.
I seem to recall as a teen I used engine oil as a lube on the head bolt threads and torqued them down, and never had any issues.
Maybe now in my old age I am getting too paranoid about details.
At this point I only want to do this ONCE!!!!!
 

Turbo4whl

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What he said.... ^^^

Fel-Pro gaskets and good ol' #3 on the bolts.
 

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