Installing headgaskets

[charger_72_318]

Hi guys, I'm replacing the headgaskets and i have doubts about using sealant, grease or nothing between the block surface and the heads, the repair manual says it should be perfectly clean, but two guys gave me different opinions, one told me to use sealant and the other said grease, what should i do?
Plus, can i trust in the head bolts for not to break? they look perfectly fine, no nicks or corrosion, and using 95 ft/lbs for tightening, it's a 318.

Aldo

[cudaken]

 In my day I coated the block and heads with STP. Last heads I did was around 1990 or so. I would not use a sealant. I have done a lot of heads, but have not broke anything till lattely. I will use a oil again on the block and head.

                                                     Cuda Ken

[BigBlackDodge]

Unless your running a high compression motor the bolts should be fine, and I've never used sealant or oil on the gaskets.

BBD

[Plumcrazy]

The heads and block surface should be clean and dry.  Run a tap down the bolt holes in the block to clean them out.  Clean the threads on the bolts and lubricate them with a little engine oil before reinstalling them.

[Runner]

i agree with plumcrazy,  but if your using steel shims i would give the gaskets a coat of spray on copper coat.

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[John_Kunkel]

Add me to the Copper Coat crowd.

[694spdRT]

I used the copper coat on my steel shims gaskets as well.

[cudaken]

 I used oil my self. Come to think of it, I did heads 2 years ago with steel shimes.

                               Cuda Ken

[charger_72_318]

The gaskets i have are steel shims and for now it's a low compression engine.
Thanx for the advices, i hope that engine will be running for the next week.

charger_72_318