Getting ready to pull heads

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by tortuga

All the gasket makers say to go commando...

Agreed - that's what they recommend / require. I followed Edelbrock's instructions the first time and it didn't seal. When I did it again I used a thin smear of RTV (Ultra Black, not Right Stuff - it sets too fast, particularly when spread thin) on both sides of the gaskets, plus the China wall, of course. The instructions I found also had me torquing 5 ft lbs higher than Ford's spec, plus added the additional 24 hour and after running torque steps. Made all the difference.

p.s. I didn't add coolant until after the 24 hour torquing.