Intend to remove the heads on my 350 this spring to replace the head gaskets. Losing prestone - no visible leaks and no antifreeze in the oil. I know the '72 & up require a different gasket than used in the '71 & older. Questions- 1) What type of tap should I use to clean the threads in the block? Thread chaser? 2) what lubricant do i use on the head bolts threads? 3) Do i need to lubricate the bolt heads? If so, with what? 4) Are there dowel pins on the block to align the the head gasket + head? If not could I use a 7/16" bolt (bolt head removed) to use as an aligner. I would grind a taper on the bolt top. 5) does any head bolt pass into the water jacket? tkx
Thread chaser would probably be fine. Maybe alittle better then a tap as it should not really cut any threads. No it doesn’t look like any do into coolant at least on my 71 block. . Yes it has line up pins for head. Head gasket isn’t different that I know of, intake gasket is . Engine oil on threads is ok . Or light oil /WD40. Not a lot since bolt hole is not open and can “hydrolock”
I use lubriplate grease or moly assembly lube under the bolt head Clean deck surfaces with brake clean, alcohol or paint thinner, as mentioned WD or very lite oil on the threads. Chase the the holes then blow them out with compressed air, a sanding block with 180 paper to clean the block deck up, spray it with WD to lubricate the paper. May want to check deck with straight edge and feeler gauge, a leak generally has a root cause
On my 68 when I placed the head on the block I could feel it rock like a chair with one leg shorter than rest. In the shop I work in we use a flat sanding block about 12" long to bring up any high spots.with replaceable 80 grit sheets. On my car I masked off cylinders etc. And hit the high. spots / new mill basterd. I'm
Well I'm driving the car today. Iwish I could get the heads off again . Iwould be prepared with the comp cam kit New can lifters and springs to freshen up the heads.
Engine was overhauled @92000 by the the previous owner in 1995(?). The plastic cam gear & chain were replaced in 2002 when we had the engine out.
