'99 3100 Possible Assembly Problem

[Jogasz28]

I worked with my Son yesterday and torqued the rocker arms, installed the lower intake manifold, upper intake manifold, and rocker arm covers.
Here's the possible problem: When I installed the heads, I used the Fel-Pro "Problem Solver" head gaskets. I followed the assembly sequence of another engine part, not the head assembly sequence. I followed the Fel-Pro Head Torque Sequence, which turns out to be the same sequence as the FM.
Yesterday, I saw the FM head sequence section and there is a Figure that says to coat 3 head bolts with sealant. I only used a coating of oil.
I cannot remember if the Problem Solver gaskets had a rubber seal around the head bolt holes. I'm hoping they do and will work as good as if I put sealant on the head bolts, if thats where the seal is needed.
Or should I stop right now and disassemble to get sealant on those head bolts?
They are ARP's and TTY, so I'll have to buy another set of head bolts?
I know, I know I'm an idiot for not finding that d*mn FM Head assembly section.
TIA for any solid answers...good or bad.

[86FieroSEv6]

I'd just use some factory sealer additive and not sweat it. You can get it from Cadillac, they use it in their engines because the amount of growth of the various engine components caused minor leaks too often.

[Jogasz28]

I'd just use some factory sealer additive and not sweat it. You can get it from Cadillac, they use it in their engines because the amount of growth of the various engine components caused minor leaks too often.

THANK YOU!!!

[Jogasz28]

After a search, I found this interesting statement in a Cadillac Forum:

much has been written about the coolant pellets. Search using GM coolant supplement or something like that. In any event, the Pellets are simply a sealer or stop leak if you like. There is nothing magic nor mysterious about them. They are simply ground up ginger root and walunt shells and are the same material that BarsLeaks puts in their sealer minus the dark soluable oil. The dry, powdered BarsLeaks "Gold" in the clear plastic tube at Walmart is the exact same material. The sealer or stop leak is recommended for the all aluminum engines due to the increased likelyhood of a tiny seep or leakage due to the difficulty in sealing aluminum at gasketed surfaces and the chance of porosity opening up in the diecast aluminum parts.

Almost every manufacturer of engines installs the cooling system sealer at the factory....Cadillac, Chevy, Gm, Ford, RollsRoyce....etc. The list of buyers that BarsLeaks ships to is long and distinguised. You can even buy the stuff at the Chevy parts counter as Chevies use it too....

[Jogasz28]

I bought the "Lubricant" P/N 12378254 Pellets at the Pontiac Dealer when I bought the other parts.
At $5.38 I figured I might as well try exactly what the Factories use.

[tractorman]

Those GM stopleak pellets definitely work. But don't over-use them, as too much stopleak can clog radiators and heater cores.

As far as bolt sealant goes, I wouldn't worry about it. It won't cause you any problem.

[Azrael]

My 3100 is about 1k miles after new heads and gaskets and I completely missed that step of adding thread sealant to the headbolts. No leaking that I can see. Even if there was I imagine it'd be nothing more than a little seepage.

[bszopi]

I've swapped heads several times on these engines (including less than a month ago), and I've never used sealant. I have always just coated the threads with oil and torqued to spec.

[pocket-rocket]

I've swapped heads several times on these engines (including less than a month ago), and I've never used sealant. I have always just coated the threads with oil and torqued to spec.

Ditto.

[Jogasz28]

Those GM stopleak pellets definitely work. But don't over-use them, as too much stopleak can clog radiators and heater cores.

As far as bolt sealant goes, I wouldn't worry about it. It won't cause you any problem.

Thanks for all the replies.
How many pellets should I use in a flushed coolant system and top engine rebuilt?
Are they just dropped into the Radiator while cool just before first startup after rebuild is complete?
How many, if any, should go in when changing coolant ( I change every 2 seasons, whether it needs it or not) ?
TIA,