441 cyl heads

[Bob Bender]

Rick, if you need a virgin set I have them.

[Adger Smith]

Just to let everyone know: It might not be a good idea to freeze the seat rings any more.
I was putting in an oversized ring the way I've done it for years. Heat head and cool the ring.
using an extra .002 fit because the type head was known for dropping rings. The first ring shattered when I hit the driver. Then I pulled the second ring out of the box and checked the size and my fit.. Looked good. Re heated the head and and froze the ring... Same results. Ring shattered. I picked up the phone and called Tech at the seat mfg. The first thing the guy ask me was if I was freezing the ring. Yes--- Don't freeze them was his suggestion. Seems that the metal in the type ring I was using was hardemed & doesn't like to be cold and take a strike from the driver. He said it is OK to freeze some, but the type seat I was installing didn't like the freezing process. It was the correct ring this company suggested for the application.
Sad thing is I killed 2 high dollar seat rings before I learned a lesson. I then read their instructions and there is not one word about freezing in them. They did have some suggested heating temps for alum and cast heads. Remember: not all Loctite solutions are correct for seat applications. Use the correct one. I've been told that some of their compounds don't let the heat transfer out of the hot ex seats to the head. They act as an insulator. In other words it is not the correct place for their thread locker!
The seat thing just goes to show me that not all the processes I've used for years apply to todays new and improved parts.

[X-TECH MAN]

Loctite used to make a seat ring locker just for this job. It wasnt a thread locker. Its been awhile since I have done this type of work but I never had a problem of shattered seat rings. May the new stuff isnt so good after all....LOL.

[Alan Roehrich]

The current "hot tip" on fluid used to install seats is called seal-lock. It comes in a small bottle similar to the paint marker bottles you see at the salvage yard. The fluid itself is somewhat thin, and a blue-white color. I think Goodson and Silver Seal sell it. It's fairly expensive, not priced anything like Loctite.

A lot of the new seats are made of a tough powdered metal material. As with any ferrous alloy, the harder you make it, the more brittle it becomes. Some of the elements used to make ferrous alloys hard are temperature sensitive, and cold makes them even more brittle. They won't hold up to being struck unsupported at 0 degrees (your freezer is that cold) or colder. They're fine when they're held in place and supported by the seat pocket you cut in the head, because they cannot flex.