you won't need too with those gaskets if you where still going to use the felpro i would say yes. but the directions i would give is thow the felpro C**P as far as possible and use permatex

you won't need too with those gaskets if you where still going to use the felpro i would say yes. but the directions i would give is thow the felpro C**P as far as possible and use permatex

Thanks for the help, but sorry, I'm not sure what you're suggesting. You say that I should not need Permatex with the Victor Reinz gaskets, then say to ditch the Felpros and use Permatex.

 

By the way, good advice on the Victor Reinz. I went a got a pair after work yesterday and they appear to be substantially better gaskets the the Felpros.

 

So should I use Permatex on the Victor Reinz gaskets or not? Anyone?

 

Some of you will be amused to hear that I still haven't decided whether or not to yank the heads off. I know this agonizing sounds ridiculous, but I find it interesting to do this Sherlock Holmes thing and I have learned a lot.

 

Right now I think I'm going to put it back together like it is with a new water pump, thermostat, plugs-wires-distributor cap-rotor, my "best" radiator, new hoses and belt, and fresh oil and filter.

 

This with the full expectation that I may have to rip it apart again. My logic is that at least if I get it running again I can trouble shoot it properly and know what to look for when and if I have to go into the heads. Obviously, I should have done that in the first place, but when I assumed it was the head gasket I went into tunnel vision mode and started ripping into it.

 

One more question: Is there anything wrong with running just water in it for a while while I'm troublehooting? It will be a lot easier to not have to deal with the coolant if I have to go right back in again. (I've got lots of pets).

 

THANKS ! ! !

what i was trying to say is with the victor rienze you don't need permatex

 

but if you wern't going to use victor rienze you would be better off to use only permatex

 

just use the victor rienze with no permatex and you should have no problems

 

i hope this reply made more sence

 

you will be ok just running straight water for a short period of time some things you need to keep in mind is

winter is coming and it could freeze

straight water has a lower boiling piont

and antifreeze also helps keep your water pump lubed

what i was trying to say is with the victor rienze you don't need permatex

 

but if you wern't going to use victor rienze you would be better off to use only permatex

 

just use the victor rienze with no permatex and you should have no problems

 

i hope this reply made more sence

Got it - thanks for the advice.

also, after you run straight water, it is a good time to add a bottle of 10 min flush to remove all the scale buildup, then flush it out with water, leaving the rad drian valve open

Intake gaskets can be installed completely dry with no problems using anybody's gasket. It shouldn't matter if fel-pro, victor rienz or whatever.

 

I would carefully check the surface condition of the head and manifold before putting it together just to make sure all old gasket material of gone and no significant gouges exist.

 

Bill