So, I seemed to have popped my head gasket on my 94. I gotta little carried away with the turbo upgrade...funny part is, it seems to be leaking coolant from under the #3 exhaust port and not into the oil or cyl.
Anyway, what do you suggest for upgrades? I can't afford to go all out but I'm getting taxes back so that will help.



Thanks,
Travis

 

It depends on how carried away you want to get with your truck. If you're going to be pushing 50 lbs of boost and running big timing eventually it is worth it now to O ring it. If you're going to stay around 40-45 lbs and 17-18* you "should" be ok with just studs and a regular gasket.

 

How much does O-ringing cost? Might as well just do that if it's a couple hundred more. Would a marine gasket be any better than stock?

 

whats this o ring stuff? im doin a head gasket on my truck on monday and i need all the advice i can get...i have almost 400 hp and 1000 ft-lbs torque.

 

O-ringing a head is when a groove is cut in the head to accommodate a thin wire to aid in sealing the combustion chamber. The wire "ring" fits in the groove on the head and sandwiches the gaskets fire ring even tighter thus making a stronger seal. Most places will O-ring a head for around $300, and it is also wise to go ahead and put studs in while you are at it.

 

Better check that block for flatness when you get that head off. There have been a few now popping up with a high spot between 2&3 cylinders.

 

Way to go Travis...those DV's too much huh??

Do you have studs? I would estimate and O-ring job at $1000 by the time all the machine work is done, and you buy the gasket. Then you've got $450 for studs if you don't already have them!

If you can't do that, make sure the head is flat, or have it decked anyway, throw a .020 over Marine gasket on it with a set of studs!

IMHO,
Chris

 

http://www.performancedieselwarehouse.com/1249490.html
<< I'd say thats the place to go

 

That is deffintly the place to go. He will treat you right.

 

Doug, (AKA jetpiolt on here) is a straght shooter and will do what he says he will do. me and dad have done alot of biussness with him

 

my head gasket let go on the #4 or 5 pushing water out the side of the block... also tons out the overflow bottle, but luckily didn't mix water/oil at all!

 

tmacie:

The members are giving you some good advice.

I would add to DEFINITELY have your head checked out for possible warpage, front to rear and side to side. Also have them check for cracks in the valve seats. When I initially had my engine rebuilt at 218,000 miles on my 96' Dodge CTD 12 valve, ALL but one of my valve seats were cracked in my cylinder head and I ended up buying a brand new head!

Good luck!

-------
John_P

 

Hey guys....I've missed this thread the past couple days...

Chris....the DV's and Injectors were pushing it a little, then I had the bright idea to upgrade the turbo.....

I'm having the head o-ringed as we speak and there should be a set of studs on my doorstep tonight. When the head gets back from the shop, its going on my bench for a little porting work, and some 60lb springs.


Travis

 

Sounds like a heck of a good plan...which studs did you go with??

What turbo did you put on?
Chris