Replacing the head gasket on my 95 XJ. So far very straight forward, I would encourage anyone who wanted to try it to do it! Just a question for those that have done it already... (a few different searchs yeilded no results)

The Haynes manual states to spray the head gasket with a sealing compound. I thought this was strange, as i have never done that on any other head gasket before. This is my first 4.0l engine that im doing.

Instinct makes me not want to apply anything, but I would hate to have to teat it all apart again!

Also, does this have anything to do with the fact that you are allowed to reuse the head bolts one time??

Thanks in advance!

 

Your instincts are correct, don't spray anything on the gasket. The manual was printed when gasket technology was not nearly as advanced as it is now. It's never a bad idea to replace the head bolts, even if they're not torque to yield bolts.

 

So a regular old felpro head gasket from advance auto will do correct? Also, I could not find head bolts available locally anywhere. I have no need for ARP head bolts and the only other brand I could find were "Crown Automotive" on rockauto.com which would take more than a week to get to me... Why doesnt felpro make them?

 

That Fel-Pro will work fine without the spray. The bolts aren't torque to yield, so you can reuse them. I just replace them for peace of mind. The copper spray thing is old school.

 

FelPro makes gaskets, not bolts.

 

felpro makes head bolts too

 

I use the "ARP" fasteners on every engine I work on for all internals and for everything on my race and HP engines.

For your application they are cheap and I would suggest them.

 

I use the copper gasket spray on everything from 2 stroke to 4 stroke. I rebuild vintage mopeds, chainsaws, even sewing machines and I use it all the time. I'm old school. I give the gaskets a quick spay on each side. I love that stuff for holing gaskets in place, and I have never had an issue with it.

 

Thank you guys, I appreciate the insight!