Head gasket.
 

I've got a little coolant leak in the front,looks like it's leaking out the head gasket,I've got a spare head,should I O-ring that and swap it? what kinda money is involved with O-ringing the head? How much of a sundy-biskit is it to swap the head?
I'm just running the dang thing for now,and ain't planning on modding it very heavy till I'm done using the truck to haul,advice?
Someday I'm thinking I might make it a play truck,possible twins..
Thanks

Taking the head off aint too bad, but im like you run it til she blows...but you might want to go ahead and get the head oringed might as well and maybe get some ARP head studs:humm::pca1:

O ring your spare head, but first check it to make sure its flat and free from cracks in the valve seats. Plan on 4 hrs to remove the head, Its pretty simple just time consuming.... dont forget the return line, banjo bolt & washer on the back of the head. A cherry picker is a EXCELLENT friend when doing this!!

Do a set of ARP studs while you've got it off.

Ian

Any machining needed to install the studs? and where is the most economical place to purchase studs?
Also,what brand of gasket you all like?

no machining to install the 12mm studs but once ya go up to 14mm there is all kind of stuff ya have to do but the 12's will work fine, most of the Vendors on here can get you some studs there all about the same price no matter where you look...the gasket im not real sure on Ian (IC Smoke) will be the best to ask that he has replaced i think 3 since i got on this site and that was in May :D

:moon:

a stock thickness cummins gasket (From dealer) is what I use, Its around $100

I've had my head off 3 times :argh:

Ahh,so the reason you had to change it was cause' you had the head off.
You keep leaving things loose in there or what?! :tttt:

first time was to O-ring the head, 2nd time was a head gasket, 3rd time was a head gasket and had to O-ring the 3rd gen head Im torqued down to 136ftlbs for the studs now instead of 125 like the first head gasket.

so you recommend torquing the heads to 136 instead? or is that only on the 3rd gen head?

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Sorry to be such a noob,but I only ever upgraded things a little,noticed that over 400hp things came all unglued.

Ahhh the TQ#'s are up to you, Im running twins, and the monster pump along with water meth so Ive got some compression thats my reasoning for the higher tq ftlbs

Id say 125 on a single charger

Where is the place to get head studs?,they seem pretty damn expensive everywhere I've seen.

they are expensive everywhere, your going to spend a little over $400 for a set:ouch:

ooof,that seems excessive to me,but I guess they get what they can eh?

Call Greg Houge, Comp over at CompD he sells them for under $400.

hey Ian,im due to start my engine this week,i just put back together everything this morning,only have to hook up the batteries....

im fearing to come to the same trouble as u did,i torqued it to 125 in 5 step as stated by ARP....
i just poored oil into both turbos and lubed everything....... have to check valve lash too....

Anyone use a cometic head gasket?
I see these for sale,I can't find anyone to o-ring a head up here.
I ain't going to be able to swing studs at this time either,I haul travel trailers for a living,and things are VERY tight.
If I manage to ride this out I might modify it more,but not likely to ever get over about 50 psi till I get rich anyway.:ouch:

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Well guys? anyone know if the Cometic gasket is worth the extra $100?
I know someone has an opinion
:pca1:

the cometics were not holding except for one person last i heard, everyone else had problems, but that was the last time i read up on them over a year ago.

o-ringing will run about $300, magnaflux for cracks and decking about $100 usually, a cummins gasket for $100, and head studs for $400 will hold for most people as long as there are no flaws in the work. I have been beating on mine with 60psi boost sled pulling for 3 years now with no problems.

Thanks Getblown,That's an interesting looking exhaust manifold you've got in your sig there bro...you make that? how's it work?

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Okay,just a little note,if someone else in needing to do this,and you look at the head and think to yourself, "hey,that thing could not be that heavy"
It can be that heavy and it is,don't pick this thing up without a cherry picker,or at least one other person.
I pulled my spare off today,and should not have done it alone.:argh:

there is a guy up here that did my o-ringing your not far from me at all