Not sure I installed my Head gaskets Correctly

[kcfirstbuild]

Ok so I have some questions, I think I might have done my head gaskets wrong. I know for sure I did not torque them the right way. I found the instructions that I gave my father to read and he never said anything about oiling the bolts and oiling under the head of the bolts. The new bolts came with non hardening on them. so I just torqued them down and thought i was done.

I also "think" i put the permatorque head gaskets on correctly but I didn't double check to make sure all the oil and coolant passages were not blocked by the gasket. I know i check to see if the gasket said this side up or said front or rear. I saw nothing, even on the new ones i just bought to redo the job. it doesnt say what way is up or front. The only thing i see is R11 or R12 on the right side of each gasket.

I also wonder if i have to buy new bolts again since i Torqued the ones I already bought.

If you can help thanks, Im just learning all this stuff.

I would hate to think I did it Correctly and some how over heat my heads, when I finally start up my motor.

[Robertjust777]

im sure someone will chime in here soon but i really dont believe you have to buy new bolts if you did do it wrong lol.

[treveiger]

With some of the newer cars i know you have to get new bolts when they replace the heads or rebuild the motor but i dont think you do on the old sbc.

[kcfirstbuild]

I did buy new ones when I first installed my head gaskets the first time, but not sure if the new ones will be ok the second time around.

[cdowns]

bolts we b ok// any doubt take the heads off and recheck the gaskets

[mdaven@aol.com]

Oiling the head bolts is so they will torque correctly. Dry bolts will sometimes give you a false torque reading because friction heats them and they seem tight. You can fire the engine to operating temp and then retorque the bolts if in doubt but the new thicker head gaskets usually do not require this step, just the thinner metal ones.

[kcfirstbuild]

ok, That was my thought too. Any Ideas on the gasket part if they dont say front or up , just make sure all the holes are not blocked ? I think i have the 7733 pt2 permatorque head gaskets.

[mdaven@aol.com]

Older sbc have the same pattern on the heads and there is usually not a top or bottom side for the gasket, unless it is printed on it specifically.

[kcfirstbuild]

ok I didnt know if it was in code or anything crazy like that. These dont say anything on them

[treveiger]

from what i was tought is if they dont say "this side up" or "this side down" then it doesnt matter. Just make sure the holes arent blocked and assuming you toqured them in incraments of three and the spiral patternd described by the instructions your good to go!

[kcfirstbuild]

Yes, thanks for all the help. I just got done ! On to the push rods tomorrow.