There was a thread going around a couple days ago discussing what type of sealants to use and where. One of the posts referred to putting sealant on head bolts. I did not do that on my build. The engine has not been cranked. Should I go back and put sealant on the bolts and re torque? I have never used anything but light machine oils when installing head bolts. This ensures the correct torque value. However this is my first Olds Rebuild and it appeared the OP was getting his info from the engine assembly manual. I will not profess to be smarter than the GM engineers. Do all of you guys seal the head bolts?

 

You are fine. Olds motors,the head bolts don't go through the water jacket like a Chevy does.Oil is what I use.

 

x2. The factory specifies oil on the threads and shoulders of the bolts.

 

Yet another example of trying to get Olds engine building info in a Chevy-centric world.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. I will sleep better tonight.....

 

Hey guys, I am the OP, and on my 1961 394, yes, several do intrude water ways, and thus my original 1960 copyright shop manual states to use thread sealer. Dont know what you guys are running, but evidently far different motors.

 

Yep, most of us have "newer" Second Generation engines and not the "old" First Generation engine.

 

Sorry I didn't state in my post. Mine is a 350. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Not on this thread, apparently.

As noted, we're all talking about second-gen Olds V8s, which do not have wet head bolts.

 

So the 55 olds 88 doesn’t have head bolts that go through the water jacket?

 

No one made that statement on this thread because First-gen Olds V8s do have wet head bolts.

 

seperate question, if you put a new head gasket on then a couple weeks later need to pull off the head for whatever reason can you reuse that same head gasket?

 

I wouldn't reuse the head gasket.

 

but it’s a material and I haven’t really ran the car. What would be the reason? Not arguing just curious?

 

The gasket is crushed when the head bolts are torqued. It will not have the same amount of crush if reused, and may not seal.

 

^^x2^^

^^x3^^

 

ok makes sense