Sbc steel head gaskets

richie 2 · 12-21-2010, 05:31 PM

im going to use some GM #3830711 (.022" X 4" bore) steel shim head gaskets on a 350ci. corvette resto.... they have come with a black coating (looks like gloss paint) so do they still need sealer as in permatex red spray type? any experiences will help thankyou.

Tom Turner · 12-21-2010, 06:59 PM

The "red spray stuff" you refer to is Hi Tack and was the sealer of choice for most of us that used steel shims many years ago. Some guys had their own secret sauce (Hylomar, GM brown glup, Super 300 and other conk) but Hi Tack works pretty good.
Dont breathe the stuff cuz it will make you more goofy than Art Leong. TT

G Anderson · 12-21-2010, 07:41 PM

I've used those black coated GM head gaskets several times and do not use a sealer I think that coating serves as a sealer!

Rich Biebel · 12-21-2010, 08:03 PM

Copper Coat spray always worked well for me......I've used those gaskets and they work fine but over a period of time and miles they can fail. I have seen them develop water leaks into an end cylinder right next to the dowel pin.....

richie 2 · 01-12-2011, 08:49 AM

here's what i've found....GM # 3830711 steel shim gaskets ordered/recieved have come with a light gray gummy coating on them. .027" thick. there's no "DG" stamp on them like the old days. ("DG" stands for detroit gasket, who was bought out recently by ROL gaskets) the small tab overhanging w/the small ID hole is still present though. im not going to spay tack, the factory coating will be sufficient i'm sure. i will pay close attention to tourque settings/pattern during installation w/ribbs up...thankyou all for you input.

Jack McCarthy · 01-18-2011, 12:43 AM

you may wanna get a composition gasket... the steel shims will rust out in a street car especially one which doesnt run daily...

just a thought !

jack

Dwight Southerland · 01-18-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack McCarthy

you may wanna get a composition gasket... the steel shims will rust out in a street car especially one which doesnt run daily...

just a thought !

jack

???? In how many years?!? Not an issue.

richie 2 · 01-18-2011, 09:16 AM

we're going to run an antifreeze mixture in the engine so that should help prevent corrosion?

12-21-2010, 05:31 PM	#1
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 967 Likes: 418 Liked 200 Times in 91 Posts	Sbc steel head gaskets im going to use some GM #3830711 (.022" X 4" bore) steel shim head gaskets on a 350ci. corvette resto.... they have come with a black coating (looks like gloss paint) so do they still need sealer as in permatex red spray type? any experiences will help thankyou.

12-21-2010, 06:59 PM	#2
Tom Turner Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lake Tapps, Washington Posts: 137 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sbc steel head gaskets The "red spray stuff" you refer to is Hi Tack and was the sealer of choice for most of us that used steel shims many years ago. Some guys had their own secret sauce (Hylomar, GM brown glup, Super 300 and other conk) but Hi Tack works pretty good. Dont breathe the stuff cuz it will make you more goofy than Art Leong. TT

12-21-2010, 08:03 PM	#4
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Sbc steel head gaskets Copper Coat spray always worked well for me......I've used those gaskets and they work fine but over a period of time and miles they can fail. I have seen them develop water leaks into an end cylinder right next to the dowel pin..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

01-12-2011, 08:49 AM	#5
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 967 Likes: 418 Liked 200 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Sbc steel head gaskets here's what i've found....GM # 3830711 steel shim gaskets ordered/recieved have come with a light gray gummy coating on them. .027" thick. there's no "DG" stamp on them like the old days. ("DG" stands for detroit gasket, who was bought out recently by ROL gaskets) the small tab overhanging w/the small ID hole is still present though. im not going to spay tack, the factory coating will be sufficient i'm sure. i will pay close attention to tourque settings/pattern during installation w/ribbs up...thankyou all for you input.

01-18-2011, 12:43 AM	#6
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,313 Likes: 27 Liked 440 Times in 111 Posts	Re: Sbc steel head gaskets you may wanna get a composition gasket... the steel shims will rust out in a street car especially one which doesnt run daily... just a thought ! jack __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"

12-21-2010, 07:41 PM	#3
G Anderson Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 105 Likes: 13 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Sbc steel head gaskets I've used those black coated GM head gaskets several times and do not use a sealer I think that coating serves as a sealer!

01-18-2011, 09:16 AM	#8
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 967 Likes: 418 Liked 200 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Sbc steel head gaskets we're going to run an antifreeze mixture in the engine so that should help prevent corrosion?