Does one need to replace the headbolts when replacing the head gasket? Are these a "One Time" use bolt? I was told they streach and should not be used a second time.
Ken

 

junk the bolts, go with new studs.
follow torque sequence
my opinion

watch out, the vegetable oil might eat them

 

They can stretch, if you get the head gasket kit from cummins it has a guide in it to tell if the bolts are stretched or not.Just did an inframe rebuild on a freightliner with a 5.9 and the bolts from it were all in spec, but we replaced them any way due to other issues.

 

How does one tell if they are streched or not? Where can I find the specs?
Thanks .... Ken

 

Cummins has a guauge that comes with the head gasket kit, not sure if they have it available as a seperate item or not. It is just a simple plastisized piece of cardboard with a place for the head of the bolt and a line that says good or not forthe three different lengths.

 

I am planning to do an in-frame on an FL70 I bought here real soon and I planned on just changing the rings, main bearings, rod bearings and head gasket & associated gaskets. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for while doing this?

Also, what are the reasons an engine would have alot of blow-by from the blow-by tube? My engine runs really good, but has terrible blow-by? What are all the possible casues for blow-by?

Any help is appreciated.

 

Not really, that is the beauty of these motors they are simple to work on.The best thing is to make sure you have room to lay everything out in order and little bins are handy so you can label them 1-6 for the pushrods and rockers.A good ring compressor helps a lot.Torqueing the mains can be a little fun as it's hard to hold the torque wrench above your head and get the torque right.Here is a link that paul posted
http://dieselram.com/cgi-bin/ultimat...c;f=8;t=000803