A while back I posted that #2 cylinder had filled with coolant after sitting for a week. After suggestions here I had the head checked out for cracks but it was ok. I had the head shop also check the head gasket and they said it was fine.I reinstalled the head with new gasket. Well, last night I went to start the ole girl, it had sat since driving it saturday and once again a cylinder was full. This time #5. I pulled all the plugs and turned it over. I also got a little coolant from #2 again. There was no water in the oil. I tried retorqing last night, then ran it till it got up to temp and shut it off. I checked the oil and it was fine. I was going to recheck the torque on the head bolts tonight but when I pulled the valve covers it was obvious water had leaked in.Pulling the dipstick showed no trace of water in the oil in the pan but definately in both heads and a little in the lifter valley. 5 of the pistons appear to have had water because the carbon has been washed off on a small portion of the top.
Ok, I used aviation form a gasket on my head bolts. My theory now is the water has been coming from the head bolt threads. After retorquing last night it must have broke the seal on them more.
Does this sound right? I am kinda at a loss here mostly due to lack of experience but I am trying to think this out logically. After looking at the head gaskets (felpro 1003)the blue sealing ring around the outside and around bolt holes appears to have stopped any leaks but where the bolt holes are next to the cylinder there is only the steel ring which I assume would leak if the thread sealant breaks down

Any thoughts or ideas. I am going to have to buy stock in Felpro if I keep buying gaskets at this rate. I am also using arp head bolts and have torqued to 65 lbs. This is all on a 350, vortec heads.Any suggestions on a more effective thread sealant?

Thanks for listening or reading I guess

I've had excellent luck with ARP's thread sealer.

Jerry,
Make sure that all of the threads (fasteners, as well as block) are in good condition and clean. Do not use Form-a-Gasket on the threads. Use only a thread sealer compound and use it sparingly. Pat's recommendation of ARP sealer is a good one.

I for one am not a big fan of ARP's sealant.
I've had too many leakers especially with studs.
Works excellent on pipe threads though & fair on bolts.

For years all I ever used was Permatex Hi Tack or non hardening sealant #2 & then started using Hylomar & never had a leak.

Permatex has a somewhat new thread sealing compound we are using now that works great.
I like it better than any of the other stuff we have used.
Oddly enough it is called Thread sealant

You can check it out here
Permatex

I use the HI Temp (59235) as Permatex tech says it is the same as the hi performance only with a higher temp rating.

Thanks Guys. Mike I just picked up some of the permatex thread sealant.

Thanks