16-11-2020, 11:31 AM
I have always just used grease and have never had any head gasket problems over many thousands of miles since the 1960s.
It is important that both the block and head surfaces are flat.
Over the years the face of the block tends to rise around the head studs, often caused by over-tightening.
The soft gaskets used by Austin tend to compress unevenly, allowing the head to bend around the studs with corresponding lifting between the studs.
I don't use a torque wrench, just a ring spanner 5" long.
It is important that both the block and head surfaces are flat.
Over the years the face of the block tends to rise around the head studs, often caused by over-tightening.
The soft gaskets used by Austin tend to compress unevenly, allowing the head to bend around the studs with corresponding lifting between the studs.
I don't use a torque wrench, just a ring spanner 5" long.
Jim