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Posted By Discussion Topic: Need To Replace Head Gaskets On '39 Deluxe... -- page: 1 2     39Fordfan 05-03-2021 @ 6:43 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Hello there, I got my '39 Deluxe out of storage on Saturday. As I mentioned in a recent post I've suspected I've got head gasket issues. Tonight I took the fan belt off and opened up the top hose at the head and started it up and sure enough I get a bubble the size of a quarter-about every 7 seconds. I took some video of it and did a screen capture photo from the one on the driver's side. Any tips about replacing the head gaskets would be most appreciated. Thank-you so much for your help! This message was edited by 39Fordfan on 5-3-21 @ 11:06 PM 40 Coupe 05-04-2021 @ 4:32 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1641 Joined: Oct 2009 What engine do you have in your 39? Original 85HP was the 81A. If so use the 41A Ford head gasket. You will find they have small coolant holes in the front of the gasket and larger coolant holes at the rear. These gaskets were developed to aid in coolant flow to the back of the engine block. This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 5-4-21 @ 4:35 AM carcrazy 05-04-2021 @ 10:11 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1582 Joined: Oct 2009 There is no need to remove the studs as long as you can remove the nuts. The original studs and nuts are of better quality than most of the replacements that are available. If any of the studs come loose as you remove the nuts from them, place a sealant, Permatex #2 or similar, on the threads of the stud that screw into the block to prevent leaks. If you take the heads to a machine shop, you can have them degreased, Magnafluxed, glassbeaded, and resurfaced. 39Fordfan 05-04-2021 @ 6:04 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Hello 40 Coupe, When I went to pick up my new head gaskets I asked about the point you made and I will be installing the 41A Head Gaskets. Thank-you very much! 39Fordfan 05-04-2021 @ 6:08 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Hi carcrazy, That is good to know. I will hopefully be able to turn all of the nuts off without loosening or breaking any studs. It's been a good running car, so I am hoping they all come off nice and easy. I might even have a machine shop that does this sort of work a mile from where I live. I'm hoping to find out for sure tomorrow. Great Thanks! 39Fordfan 05-04-2021 @ 6:12 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Can anybody tell me what you prefer to use on the gaskets when you install them? I was told Permatex copper spray. Also, does anybody have a diagram of the proper tightening order when I reinstall the heads? Thanks! This message was edited by 39Fordfan on 5-4-21 @ 6:14 PM 40 Coupe 05-05-2021 @ 4:35 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1641 Joined: Oct 2009 I use nothing on the head gaskets but a lot of guys like Copper Coat or just some grease. When you tighten go in three steps to the proper finished torque. Start in the middle and work outward evenly one side to the other and back and forth until all are torqued. After several cycles of engine hot to cold Retorque at the finish torque again start in the middle and work outward from side to side do this with the engine cold. TomO 05-05-2021 @ 9:42 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 I also use nothing on the gaskets. Here is a link to the chart for tightening the head nuts: http://vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_cylinderhead_torque-specs.htm I use an impact wrench to remove the head nuts and have never broken a stud. You can use a good penetrating oil for several day before you try to remove them to reduce the chance of breaking a stud. Tom 39Fordfan 05-05-2021 @ 11:15 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 40coupe, Good information. I really appreciate it... 39Fordfan 05-05-2021 @ 11:22 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Tomo, Great Thanks! I've been soaking the nuts overnight and tested several of them with a breaker bar and they came off pretty well. It's been a good running engine so I'm thinking and hoping they'll all come off without much of a fight. I've been trying to get the courage to go with the impact, but I'll probably just muscle all of them with the breaker just to play it safe. Thanks again...

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