1960fury - 2022-05-30 5:33 PM The OE head gaskets are marked "TOP" on one side. Since they fit the block basically only one way, I assume it refers to which side faces the top? Not? Thing is, intuitively I'd let the bulges face the top (like in the 1rst picture) like the BB valley pan gasket and this is how the OE head gasket in my untouched 383 was installed (TOP facing downwards). How are they installed? I refuse to believe the "TOP" is meant to point out the obvious. ??? Also, the FSM mentions to use a "suitable sealer" with the steel gaskets. What would that be? I always thought they are installed dry. What do you do/use?

PolyJ - 2022-05-30 9:15 PM

The head gaskets are designed with a top side and bottom side. The "TOP" side should face up toward the head. Some gaskets say "This Side Up." Steel gaskets require a sealant such as copper spray gasket Permatex 80697. Some people use Permatex "Indian Head Shellac," but I prefer the copper spray-on for ease of application.

Be forewarned that using a thin steel gasket on a 383 that has many miles on it and hasn't had the block decked and head surfaced can suffer coolant leaks due to the tight gasket tolerance and the habit of the deck and head deforming after tens of thousands of miles of use and heat cycles. Leaks don't happen every time with a steel gasket on a well used block/heads, but is a known issue with B/RB blocks. If performance is not a concern, it is safer on unmachined block/heads with many miles to use a FelPro PermaTorque gasket that gives a thicker crushed gasket to stop leaks, but it will expand the quinch area and decrease compression, both impacting combustion performance.

56D500boy - 2022-05-30 8:58 PM

.
Sealer was part number 1122 893, whatever that was.

Here's what Google comes back with:

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALiCzsYHjts1dD0osGufmDn72N1iHiva...

1960fury - 2022-05-31 4:26 PM
Thanks, but I'm not going to use silicone sealer with a hard gasket.

PolyJ - 2022-05-30 6:15 PM Steel gaskets require a sealant such as copper spray gasket Permatex 80697. Some people use Permatex "Indian Head Shellac," but I prefer the copper spray-on for ease of application.

56D500boy - 2022-05-31 9:09 PM



Sid: Who said anything about silicone sealers?

Shep - 2022-06-02 7:19 AM
On my Maxwedge race car, 12:1 compression, used steel shim head gaskets, crimps against the deck. Permatex Super 300 worked well.

Shep - 2022-06-02 10:19 AM

On my Maxwedge race car, 12:1 compression, used steel shim head gaskets, crimps against the deck. Permatex Super 300 worked well.

1960fury - 2022-06-02 3:47 PM
can someone id the car in the ad? its a fl

wizard - 2022-06-02 1:08 PM

Yes, "the brown death", a true quality product that I've used as long I worked with cars.

56D500boy - 2022-06-02 7:33 PM



Based on the air cleaner snorkel size and shape and what little can be seen of the valve covers, I would guess 58 Dodge or 58 Desoto Firesweep (which had Dodge engines).

1960fury - 2022-06-02 4:37 PM
Looks like a Poly in the ad, not a B. 58 Desotos only had Big Blocks.