ClassicCar

Edwardjohnsr

My 1953 Hornet with the 308 engine has 1/2 inch diameter head bolts (at least I think so because the heads of the bolts are 3/4 inch). I would like to use the "Best Head Gasket" that is apparently sold by Dale Cooper. Can the Best gasket be used with 1/2 inch bolts?

Also,while I'm on the subject, I have the impression that the Best gasket doesn't require any gasket sealer. Is that true?

Ed

Clutch guy

Ed,the diameter or size of the bolt head does not determine the size of the bolt.If your car has the original 308 engine,you should assume that it still has the stock head bolts,which are 7/16th's.Dale Cooper also sells the correct new head bolts,which have the 3/4 socket sized heads.I'm not sure,but I thought he also sold the high performance head gasket for these applications,but you should call to find out.

Edwardjohnsr

Thanks clutchguy. I appreciate your quick response.

Ed

PAULARGETYPE

Ed

You Can Have Either 1/2 Or 7/16 Bolts I Have New Bolts For Sale They Are Grade 8 I Have Them In Both Sizes And I Have Thick Flat Washers For Both They Are $20 + Shipping(around $5) For Both Bolts And Washers There Is 21 In A Set The Bolts We Have To Day Are So Much Better Than Those Of The 50's

Hudsonly

Paul

Hudson308

Dale Cooper and Randy Maas both sell the Best gaskets with holes for either 7/16" or 1/2" bolts... just tell 'em which ones you have. You put the gasket on dry, and follow the retorque instructions. They work great.

hudsonkid

I heard great things about the Best head gaskets, I hope one day I get to try one... Anyway, the head bolts (correct ones...) are not the easiest to find, the deal Paul has with shipping might be something you want to consider, it is an odd bolt, and for size, and with washers, I figure Paul must have bought a ton of them to hit his low price... I doubt you could find the same deal locally.

Oh links for the above guys Cooper, and Maas, are in my signature links.....

vmike

Paul,

I sent you a PM.

mike

dave s

Edwardjohnsr wrote:

My 1953 Hornet with the 308 engine has 1/2 inch diameter head bolts (at least I think so because the heads of the bolts are 3/4 inch). I would like to use the "Best Head Gasket" that is apparently sold by Dale Cooper. Can the Best gasket be used with 1/2 inch bolts?

Also,while I'm on the subject, I have the impression that the Best gasket doesn't require any gasket sealer. Is that true?

Ed

Hudson advised their shops to spray 4 or 5 coats of aluminum engine paint on gasket before installing!

hudsonkid

I think with the Best head gaskets, these are supposed to go on as instructed...

not 100%, but I think that's why they work so well....

but seriously, we have been down the head gasket preparation road so many times... we have the aluminum paint guys, the gasket shellac guys, the Armor All camp (Bill Albright) and the copper spray gasket sealer guys (who are the most correct... hehe) but at the end of the day, I guess if it works for you, then it's the right way....

Hudson308

It all depends on the type of gasket. Plain steel or copper gaskets probably work well with all the preps listed above. Everyone probably also has their favorite method for the Fel-Pro style. I can tell you from personal experience though, that putting the Best gasket on with everything perfectly clean and dry solved an exasperating gasket seep for me. I believe the sealant manufactured in these needs to vulcanize to the bare metal. I'll never use anything else again.

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