The Best anti-seize for stainless bolts?

[EL Grande Honcho]

What's the best for stainless bolts for things like oil pan, water pump, intake manifold?

Permatex #2?

Anyone every use old Rector Seal like for plumbing..I've been using that stuff for years and it never failed..then again, never on a Jeep

[pb]

Based on my experience, I might use thread locker on them. I put some stainless bolts on my engine and they loosened up causing the intake to leak. On my intake I only had two that I couldn't take out by hand.

[KaiserMan]

Yeah, I wouldn't use stainless bolts on a motor. All I have ever heard from people that have is how the bolts loosened up.

[Herk]

I use blue Loc-Tite on anything with threads. Learned that years ago working on my Willys and various Triumphs. Things come apart easier if you use something to seal the threads. Whats more, the parts generally only come off when you want them to, not on a dark rainy stretch of road when you are already late to pick up your girlfriend.

Here's my basic prep recipe:

1. Gumout or soak in lacquer thinner, wire wheel brush if available.

2. Brake cleaner and an air hose (wear eye protection).

3. A NEW lockwasher (I buy 1/4 through 1/2 in bulk).

4. Loc-Tite and torque to spec.

Basically you want the threads spotless clean. New fasteners are always a wise investment, although I wouldn't spend extra for stainless.

I use Never-Sieze on lug nuts and exhaust pipes.

On intake or head bolts which drill through to the water jacket or crankcase, I use Permatex #2.

Occaisionally some torque-to-yield cylinder head bolts wile require "Lube-Torque", but the procedure will be spelled out in the service manual.

NEVER install bolts dry. They will either fall out or "water-weld" themselves in place.