Thread: Aluminum paint to seal head gaskets?

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Hi,

I purchased a set of head gaskets from Summit for a cheapo 307 rebuild. (steel shim teflon coated gaskets). The instructions say to spray aluminum paint on the side that faces the block. I never heard of this before, is this really necessary? If so, what kind of aluminum paint? Maybe VHT flame-proof aluminum header paint? Or is there a special paint that actually has aluminum impregnated in it?

Thanks for your input.

I used silver paint but I guess aluminum maybe better. I always use copper coat on all my head gaskets anymore.

Used to do it years ago (early 60s), the reason commonly given was that it acted as a sealer for the micro scratches on the head and block. I personally have wondered over the years if it's real benifit wasn't to act as a lubricant between the head/block and gasket due to slightly differnt expansion rates during warm up.

As far as paint, we just used what ever cheap aluminum paint was available. Personally I'm with sg4356, I'd use copper coat spray on them.

Go to Vato Zone and get a can of Copper Coat. Spray both sides of the gasket

Works great!! I was trained at a voc-tec 50 years ago. I haved used it for years. Also works great when installing loose sleeves in detroit diesel engine. Copper coat does the same thing is just an up dated way of doing the same thing