Cost, in stock, manufacturer?

My Date Code Sept. 1956 292 has the 3 different Length Head Bolts. I found an alternative Source for replacement Head Bolts. Both different Sets. 3 Bolt Length and 2 Bolt Length. Headbolts.com. Grade 8 Bolts and hardened Washers.

  

thanks for your info and encouragement , got my son to come over after work  hes 6'2 and 230 #  Im 76 and got it out but thought I might bugger the gasket trying myself  Thanks again  Fred

I can attest that my 292 has the blue Fel-Pro head gasket and a slight leak along the passenger side.  A couple of years ago I gooped it up with some kind of marine RTV and painted and it has held OK...but they say that Best brand gaskets are the way to go.  It took some hunting but I found some...haven't gotten around to changing them.  

Spend some time at the gym (just kidding). Yes, the heads are heavy. I'm not a big guy, and I'm 71 years old. However, I have removed a head from my 55 Tbird while the engine was still in the car. I seem to recall using a step stool to make it easier to reach into the engine compartment. Also, with many of the engine compartment components removed, I could actually stand up inside the engine compartment. (I'm 5' 8", 150). If you can get in there, remove the rocker assemblies, remove the head bolts, and lift up on the head. You might need to tap the heads loose with a rubber mallet or insert something to use as leverage in the intake or exhaust ports to separate the heads from the block. Have someone standing next to the car to whom you can hand off each head once it's removed. Cover the fenders to protect them.                    
You're doing the right thing by thinking everything out and asking questions before the work begins. Hopefully, you won't have to ask yourself, "What do I do now" while you're in the middle of the job.

Thanks Ted  I think one of my dowels is still in the head  I thought maybe they used one in head and one in block but it stands to reason for installing that they would go in the block  thanks again  Fred

There are dowels on the block surface which will hold the head gasket in place on the block.  If your block does not have the dowels, then they need to be replaced.  There's always the chance that one or more of the dowels are in the heads and if they are, they need to be moved back to the block.

Also be aware that starting in 1957, Ford used two different length head bolts on the top row.  The outer two bolts are approximately ¼”-3/8” longer than the inner three bolts on the top row.  If installing the longer bolts in the inner positions, then the likelihood of the gasket not sealing is very high.

The instructions for the blue Perma-Torque Fel-Pro head gaskets for the Ford Y are very specific in not using any gasket sealer on them.  Even when installed as per the instructions, there has been a documented history of that particular gasket leaking coolant at the lower edges of the cylinder heads in any kind of performance application.  That’s a result of there being too much material at the intake side of the head gasket around the pushrod holes which prevents the gasket from being sufficiently clamped around the lower part of the gasket.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

any tricks or tips to get that heavey head up under the hood and in place   Do you guys usually put the gasket on the head or the block ? would a light spray adhesive help or would that screw things up ?  Fred

thanks blacktie   Fred

No sealant is required on composite gaskets or intake or head bolts, but use a bit of oil on the threads and underneath the bolt heads.