new exhaust and intake gastkets

[GRONK]

Look for a local FASTENAL near you.  I bought a set of 50 bolts w/ everything else needed for $12.  I now have enough for many more projects.

[papacarn]

  Thank you GRONK, that is some good information. I googled store locator for Fastenal, and the closest one is in Sandpoint, Idaho. That is about 45 minutes from me. I will definitely check them out next time we are there.

[papacarn]

Well, the old Eagle is back on the road to recovery. Replaced the head gasket and head bolt. Had to come up with a plan to put head back in place without moving gasket. Can't believe there are no dowels to hold it in place. I drilled holes in a piece of 2 inch pvc pipe and inserted a piece of nylon rope which I attached to the head at #5 valves with wire. I controled the front of the head and moved it into place while my wife held it above the block with the makeshift hoist. When it was centered, she rotated the pipe slowly and lowered it into place.

[captspillane]

I make studs using old driver side head bolts. A few minutes on a grinding wheel takes the hex head off and leaves a smooth shank. Twist two into the block at opposing corners and lower the head gasket down the shank, then the head. You can drop it perfectly into place yourself that way. Snug up all the other head bolts and then twist out the corner studs for use in your next rebuild.

This is also the way I install 4.0 heads on 4.2 blocks. An old 4.0 head bolt will have 7/16 threads at the top for accessories and 1/2 threads and shank at the bottom. Flip them upside down with the hex head ground off and you have a perfect adaptor that works alot better than the spacers that are sold.

[papacarn]

More good information, I've been a Chevy man most of my life, but I'm learning. Anyway she is back on the road. I took her for a 40 mile test run this afternoon. No obvious leaks, and nice and quite. Also has a little more punch; that compression leak robbed some of her power, besides sounding terrible. I'm going to replace the front u-joint tomorrow, and call it a done deal. Thank you to all who offered advice. Happy Motoring!