Cylinder head replacement?

Question

I am changing my cylinder heads on chevy 350 and am now ready to reinstall. I am wondering if gasket should go on head or block first, and what type of sealent should i use. Also what should i put on the water jacket bolts. and what is the best way to make sure the block area is clean enough for the heads to go back on. I know its a lot Thank you

Answer 1

First use a scarper and get all the old gasket material off the heads and block...then wipe it down with brake cleaner on a rag...make sure there is no oil or antifreeze on either surface...Next DO NOT use and sealer on the head gasket itself...there should be 2 line up bushings on the block place the gasket on those to line it up and then place the head on that...try not to slide the heads around on the gasket...you want to put them right into place...the reason is that the head gaskets have a lubricant on them because they discovered that all of these components move when the engine heats up and you don't want to damage the gaskets inadvertently...you want to put a silicone sealant on the water jacket bolts only...put a skim coat of oil on the threads of the other bolts and the top of the bolts where they contact the head...then torque the bolts according to manufacturers specs from the center out...do your research and see if there is a special torque pattern to follow...buy a Chilton's manual...Good luck

Answer 2

use an oil stone to clean gasket surfaces ,fit gasket to block put grease on bolts

Answer 3

Scrape, then wipe, wire brush or scotchbrite, then wipe with denatured alcohol or brake cleaner on a rag.  If you don't get it clean, metal clean, give it up. It will never seal.

spray the block side of the gasket with copper spray, then place the gasket over the guide dowels on the block. then set the head on it. gasket is the sealant. you can copper spray both sides if you want, but if you have to reset the head, it will tear the gasket. I only spray the block side.

rtv blue or copper  on bolts and in the corners of the intake.

350 bolts are not torque to yield, you probably wont have to replace them.

Answer 4

there is no sealent on the head gasket . the head gasket goes on the block. and then u should use new head bolts due to u havea cold n hot torge setting . and also for the intake gaskets u need to use gasket sealent and u have a cold n hot setting for those also. and forthe exhaust gasket no sealent but for the bolts u want to use some anti size compound.