All,

I will start by saying I am posting due to alot of confusing information when searching this site.....

I have been reading trying to make sense of head bolt installation on used bolts and it seems there is alot or different opinions on what is correct. Can someone tell me the cummins shop manual specs for 12V head bolt torque as well as the maximum safe length for all three lengths? I plan on reusing the stock bolts so long as everything checks out on the length. This is a stock engine that I had to pull the head on due to broken exhaust manifold bolts.

I also want to know if Felpro gasket was okay. I have read cummins only, but Felpro makes a quality gasket for all other engines and I have a hard time believing the cummins will not work fine with one. I am going to check for a cummins, but I want to know my options and if anyone has used them successfully.

Also, what are the valve lash settings and are they hot or cold settings?

Thanks in advance!!

 

I used a Genuine Cummins gasket and NEW bolts. I didn't want to cut any corners and pay for it down the road. I'm not sure on the lengths or the settings so I'm hoping someone with "real" info will chime in for you. Good luck with the gasket!!

 

Cummins sells a cardboard bolt stretch gauge that is easy and quick to check all the bolts with. Incidentally, I've checked the bolts on several 12 and 24 valve engines and never seen a stretched one. I always use gasket sets from Cummins or Dodge.

 

Yeah, I would do that if cummins parts were not so rediculously expensive. Since I just spent over 5K on this cummins repower for my Chevy I am a little tapped on cash. I will certainly spend the money if it is required, but I dont want to waste money when it is not needed. I have found with most automotive stuff, there are alot of opinions and/or bad information that cause money to be spent where it is not required. This is my first rodeo with a cummins, so I want to be sure before I reassemble.

 

Chris.. this is the best I can find at the moment.. don't have access to my books or computer with the data I need...
http://dodgeram.org/tech/engine/head_gasket.htm
Pattern.. start in the middle go in a circular pattern working your way out... same as a SBC.. haha...
Bryan

 

I bought a whole head kit from cummins it cost me $200 it came with everything for a complete rebuild of the head and the bolt stretch gauge. I think that you can get the cummins gasket for about $100. Pretty cheap for the peace of mind you get by running genuine cummins parts, I think.

 

Haynes manual for the 1994-98 Cummins has all the torques and patterns( $22.00 at most auto parts stores) I used cummins gaskets, thats a lot of work for a head gasket that isnt foctory in my opinion buy the cummins gasket!

 

Buy a Cummins Marine gasket. The marine engines get better parts. I think the marine engines get a better valve cover gasket also. More durable.

Call Piers and tell them what you are doing and you will get good advice.

Ronnie

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I found a cummins gasket and bolt gauge locally, so I bit the bullet. Engine has not been getting up to operating temp since it got cold, so I got a thermostat as well. I suspect it is stuck partially open or not closing completely. It was $176 for everything....OUCH....but at least it will be right. My machinest said he would get the head back to me this week, so hopefully I can get it together this weekend.

I did not realize the Haynes had all the specs, but I will pick one up. Thanks for the tip.

 

Turbo just for you info Fel Pro or Victor Reinz gaskets work great. Victor Reinz makes the Cometic gasket. And Fel Pro gasket is just as good as a "Stock Cummins" gasket... I had a Marine gasket that only lasted 11 months. So so much for the "Only use Marine Gasket" theory....

 

Thanks for the feedback. I figured as much since they make a better gasket than just about every other OEM out there.

Chris

 

I got you beat...I have a marine gasket .020 over that lasted a day...

 

Ended up with a cracked head, but I found a cheap place to get one. I would recommned RJ Diesel out of Canada; they sell on ebay. I got a loaded head new from cummins for $450 plus $89 shipping. It was new in a wood crate. They are an overstock dealer from cummins so parts are cheap from them. I also got a set of new injectors, so it should be good to go for a while now....or so I hope.

I also bought a felpro gasket to compare to the cummins. I kept the felpro. The steel shim is much thicker and appears to be very well made. I have never had problem with felpro in the past and after doing more reading it does not seem like cummins original gaskets are all that special. I also talked to my machinist who uses Felpro on cummins with no problems.

Hope to be up and running tomorrow.

 

Got a pic of that FelPro? A lot of guys are curios about how they match up against the Genuine OEM Cummins Parts.

 

They only make/sell the marine gasket these days.
There is no more NON-marine gasket.