Found lots of good threads here and other places so we pulled the heads off the 4.7 and found one piston (#2 on driver side) that was super shiny and even had a little coolant sitting on it. At least the rings are good!

Tried some of the tricks to get around pulling timing cover but in the end didn't trust that the links hadn't moved and figured the cover could use new gaskets anyway so off it came. Heads are at the shop to be inspected, shaved if needed and have a valve job done for good measure. Dropped them off this morning and COULD go pick them up this afternoon if I really wanted to...that's fast service.

So some folks suggest putting RTV around the coolant passages before putting on the new HG's. I looked at the links for the RTV and they all end up being the kind that say on the label "Not recommended for head gaskets"...is there something I'm missing? And how much to use? Just a small bead or smear it or what? Thanks I'd like to not have to do this again anytime soon.

 

You use sealer on the 4 small bolt, the M8 bolts at the front of the cylinder head.

Do not reuse the old head bolts if there is any indication of stretch. Remember, to tighten then with torque plus angle.

I really hope you have the service manual for the tightening sequence.

No sealer on the head gasket. Use a good name brand one.

 

This... spray or tube.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/p...2160/7160075-P

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/p...0697/7160111-P

 

Thanks OODakDan and Dodgevity. I have the spray stuff for coating the gaskets. And I've got all new bolts and the service manual for the multi-step tightening sequence. Angle gauge is on the shopping list.