Hello,
Im new here and in search of some direction with my 97 dodge 12 valve cummins.
I bought the truck with 118,000 miles, a leaking head gasket (leaking to the outside), and a few minor front end issues. figured I would look here for some help.
Several weeks ago i replaced the head gasket. However, I have developed the same leak again. I did not have the head cut, though I know better!!, It is my daily driver, and just checked it with a straight edge and feeler gauge. had about .006 variations but book allows .012 over all. Thought i could skin by. WRONG! haha. I was just wondering if I get head checked and trued up, should I install studs, or just new bolts? I hear studs, are better, but this is just my daily driver, and hauls some but I just want a good solid fix because I love the truck and REALLY love the motor.
If anyone can give me a good cost efficient sollution, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

 

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Here is a link to a less expensive alternative to head studs.
https://www.dieselbombers.com/mighty...ead-bolts.html

 

i would go with new head bolts if you are gonna leave it stock and if you decide to upgrade later you could do the studs then and welcome to diesel bombers the #1 diesel site around

 

If your going to get new bolts id step up and go to studs. The cost isnt much more and they will be there in the future when you find the untaped power.

 

So I assume you reuesd the old head bolts? did you check to make sure they were still good? How did you torque them?

x2

 

JUST BUY THE STUDS AND BE DONE WITH IT, THEN LATER YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT, MABEY YOU SHOULD HAVE THE HEAD SURFACED, TO TURE IT UP, CUZ IF YOU HAVE A LOW SPOT ON THE HEAD AND A LOW SPOT ON THE BLOCK IT COULD BE OUT OF TOLERANCE

 

Thanks for warm welcome.
Yes i do plan to have the head cut, and get new bolts, or studs. the problem with the studs is I dont want to pull the motor to do it. I would sooner do it in the truck do to it being my only vehicle. I dont really care about the cost, just want a good job. No more cutting corners!

 

you don't need to pull the motor to put head studs in.