Progress has been painfully slow, but it's almost ready to fire up. Hopefully in the next day or two. I really want it drivable for this coming weekend.

And for this you just taught me why my builder used the silicone on the ends of my head gaskets cuz I was shaking my head . But he was the man with the plan so I wasn't about to question himMy engine builder also said that 90 seems low. I went off the original spec sheet from my previous engine builder, because the 1/2" studs stayed the same. Seems like ARP wants 110 ft-lbs though.
Very small amounts leaked out. Just enough to run down the block and put a few drops on the floor. This is over the course of a week. I didn't notice anything in the oil. I also stuck a tie wrap down cylinders 1 and 4 and didn't get any signs of coolant.
Think it's safe to torque the heads down to 110 lbs and hope for the best?
To be honest I'd be lying if I answered that . It appears that way . Just the corners like you mentionedSo he torqued the heads down and then ran a bead between the head and block?
I know when using the MLS gaskets you have to remove 1 of the rivets because it ends up on a flat part where the deck of the block and the head mate and it keeps them from completely sealing.

My felpro rivets are no where near the deck where it seals around the cyl .Oh, well FelPro didn't address that on their MLS gaskets...at least not when I bought mine about a year and a half ago.![]()
Fancy pants race motors....lolMy felpro rivets are no where near the deck where it seals around the cyl .
Sent from my iPhone using my fingers while my auto correct makes me seem illiterate
Street car stuff just like you ! LolFancy pants race motors....lol