It's a Gen VI 454 block. I commented on ICDEDPPL's 540 that Borgie had asked about the sealant that he used. Since he has blind head bolt holes, he didn't really have to use anything other than the ARP lubricant. Wish all the BBC's were built that way.

Icdedppl has Mark IV Chevy Bowtie blocks. Some of his holes do go into the water jacket.

Bud, which particular Hylomar did you use? I see they make several different style sealers. I myself have never used their stuff. I know some guys have used Hylomar as a gasket dressing, just haven't seen it used on head studs.

MT, it was the blue aviation Hylomar. I just went out there and pulled one of the studs, and it almost looked like there was nothing on them. Looked like it may have gotten pushed off the threads.

On top of that, my tube of leftover Hylomar is dried up. Had to order the stuff online, was hard to find, so that's out.

I tried looking for the Thread Lock locally, to no avail.

SB mentioned the Permatex #2. Don't have that right now, but do have a jar of the brown aviation sealant. It's listed as non-hardening, resistant to gas, oil, etc., and good to 400*.

Either that, or thinking about using The Right Stuff on the threads.

Permatex#2 available everywhere, even 'no where' like where I work and live. LOL. Don't be afraid to coat the threads good. Also, don't be afraid to tighten the studs to the block good, I don't mean torque them down good...I just mean a ft lb or two so they aren't super loose. Hard to explain but I'm sure you get it.

I've seen many use Permatex Ultra Black silicone and be fine......I have not tried it cause it confuses me to use for bolts/studs, and I use ultrablack on everything but...and believe me, I' an ultrablack junkie...and a Permatex #2 junkie....LOL.

Only thing I've used Hylomar for is when buttoning a motor up late night to go racing the next day and find out I don't have an intake gasket thin enough. LOL.

I know others love Hylomar for lot's of things, but I have not seen any use them on bolts.

Just personal observations living in no where America on dirt floors/roads/ and driveways.

Take it as that.

i think from reading your posts that you,like me are an old timer at this stuff,so from one old timer to another,ditch the ultra black and get[the right stuff]i have been using it for 5 or 6 years now and it is by far the best sealer i have ever used.

OK, so I have at my disposal a tube of The Right Stuff, a tube of the Permatex #2, and also a jar of the Permatex Aviation Sealant. Sorry Mike, couldn't find any Leak Lock around here before the weekend, so I guess I'll have to try one of the others mentioned above. Right now it seems like the Permatex #2 should work well, as it is non-hardening and resistant to gasoline, oil, and coolant. Still thinking about The Right Stuff too. Definitely going to use it on my intake gaskets around the water ports when the time comes.

From all of the reading I have done about head studs going into water jackets, and there seems to be several different products that various engine builders swear by. Tough to make a call on this one.

What say you, OSO gurus?

You make the final decision so it's only your fault...not any of ours.

Although I've never had trouble with ultra black and have used gallons of it. I agree the Right stuff is the way to go.

SB, speaking as a guy who has been married for 14 years, it's ALWAYS my fault.

As long as you keep accepting that, you'll stay together. Lol.