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I thought I might have had a blown headgasket last winter so I removed the head from the motor, had it milled .020, and am ready to re-install it now (having a newborn really slows down these projects!). The head gasket looked fine. I have a new Best Gasket which is copper on both sides and Napa Copper Spray-A-Gasket. I plan to run a tap in all the headbolt holes to clean them up. I do have a few questions though, as I have never put on an automotive head, only dirt bike heads and lawnmowers.
1) Can I use the Napa Copper Spray-A-gasket for the headbolts or should I get a silicone based thread sealant for the bolts? The napa spray gasket does say it is listed for bolt threads
2) Do I just spray a couple of coats on each side of the head gasket and assemble the gasket and then the head?
3) I was planning on re-using the headbolts I have since they appear to be in pretty good condition. I was told they are not the type that stretch and are one use only. Is this good info? I will find all the torquing specs and sequence in my manuals, but would different sealants require different torque values?

I never did find the cause of the emulsification under the oil cap, and I am hoping it is condensation from the short trips I use the truck for. I am probably dreaming, but at this time I cannot deal with a motor rebuild. Any info or views wold be appreciated. Just don't tell me to strip the motor down and magnaflux it, as that is not happening. Thanks

it sounds like you have done every thing right and are on the way to NASA specs.
I have not used any type on sealer on my head bolts just a bit of never seize. others will say different and that sealer should be used as the threads are in the water jacket. I have reused head bolts after inspection for pits, wasted shank, stretched threads....
I noticed the other day that there are under and over sized taps, something to consider when cleaning up soft cast.

as far as assembly goes clean is the word. with the aid of a vacuum and a ridged razor blade for beginers. gently decoke the pistons and valves. rotate the valves when there up to free up gunk. then run the razor blade over the block, all the wile vacuuming. once its clean you can check the deck with a strait edge, then you will know.
I find that the head and gasket are always going to move around a bit. weather its the gasket sliding on the block or the head sliding on the gasket. it's your call. I would first mock it up then mark out were I wanted the finale resting place to be with a paint pen then bolt her down.

I do head gaskets on the side of the road I view them as a consumable.

GOOD MORNING, I just did a ring job on my M, due to "SANDY", I used alignment pins (2) in the bolt holes to set the head on straight. worked for me.
Good luck in finding the cause of your troubles
BOB

Here is a quote from Charles.

MSeriesRebuild wrote: Thoroughly clean the block deck. Use aerosol Copper-Coat on the new gasket & Permatex HIGH TEMP thread sealer on the bolt threads. Torque in sequence per the manual, recheck torque after the engine has been run a few hours.

Bert

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like I might be over thinking this and I should just get it done. I will get the permatex sealant.

I was reading the Copper Spray-A-Gasket instructions, and it says to spray the flanges (block an head) and both sides of the gasket. Does this seem ok? That would mean the exposed combustion chamber would have a coating. I am inclined to only spray the gasket and place it when wet. Any opinions? Is this the right product for the head gasket install?

I would just do the gasket, let it get tacky and install.

Frank

Is Carl Buckingham still in Aspen roaming the mountains?

Frank Irons wrote:I would just do the gasket, let it get tacky and install.

Frank

Is Carl Buckingham still in Aspen roaming the mountains?

Carl is still around. He has a pretty hard core 4wheeling rig. I think it is a 1944 dodge body on a Chevy chassis. We exchange emails and talk trucks on occasion and I run into him up Pearl pass every now and then.

Thanks for the advice. I will spray the gasket only