i just tore down a 455 I bought a few years ago. It has copper head gaskets,and ARP head studs, and I need the torque specs and info on reusing the copper gaskets. It appears that the gaskets had some kind of sealer and I do not want to screw up. I should also mention that the block is O-ringed Thanx for any help you can give me
Joe, The copper head gaskets are sealed with hylomar spray on that engine. I would not try to reuse the copper head gaskets or you will likely have seaping issues with water. I would suggest for your use that you remove the o-rings and go back to standard compression head gaskets. The o-rings and copper head gaskets were there for use with nitrous, I am sure you won't be spraying too hard and are not going to need them. For a street application I don't like to use the copper. If you were going to use the copper gaskets I would suggest a new set of SCE gaskets for the best seal, they are a softer material and compress easier. I like to clean with fine steel wool and laquer thinner before applying 2 good coats of copper spray sealer, after that dries apply RTV arround the water passages and torque to normal specs in small increments. Loosen and retorque the studs in sequence a couple more times, let set overnight and retorque again before engine goes in. Retorque after initial heat cycle and they should be fine.
Thanx for the replies. I think I'll go with a standard gasket, but I still need torque specs for the ARP head studs. Is it the same as the head bolts??
Are you going to keep the O-rings? According to the Dove book (Jim Burek methods) you have to add 10 ft/lbs using a felpro gasket and the O-ring. The directions are: lub the threads with a moly grease and torque to 80 lb\ft in 20# intervals. Add 10# to pinch the O-ring. This is less than bolts (100 #)
Here is a diagram with torquing procedures as well as other torque specs. http://www.taperformance.com/referenc.htm Dave
