Okay, it's finally time to do my head gasket. I already bought the standard replacement from Cummins, but I read where people recommend the Marine version, but no metion why. What makes it better? It it that much better than the standard one?

 

Cummins makes 3 headgaskets for the B series. Standard, .010 oversize, .020 oversize. All of which are marine headgaskets.

 

I think the "confusion" over the marine head gasket is that early on there was a regular and also a marine gasket. As production years went on Cummins dropped the regular version, leaving only the marine version.

Regards,
Brian

 

Brian is right. I think when most folks talk about the 'marine' headgasket they are speaking of the .020 HG. By just slapping this HG on while not getting the head checked out at a machine shop, it will lower your compression a bit, allowing more air and fuel to be able to be pumped in. I'm sure there are some other benefits, maybe some other members will chime in.

 

Maybe i'm just not getting it but it will lower your compression a bit, allowing more air and fuel to be able to be pumped in.???? compression is what a diesel is all about!!!!

the only reason i would put a thicker gasket on would be if the head or bock had to be shaved! Or and i missing some trick to a high per forming diesel?

 

As you raise the boost it's best to lower the compression to reduce peak cylinder pressure. Helps keep parts inside the block.

A typical pulling engine runs around 12:1 compression. That's an extreme example, but most of us would benefit from the 0.020 gasket. When mine blows it's what I'll use.

 

Thanks dave!!!!! if i would have used my gas turbo mind, i whould have allready fig that Ya, i new that

 

I know that you can get lower compression marine pistons that have a deeper dish for better flame propogation and control. But thicker head gaskets are cheaper!

 

Thanks Dave for jumping in there and helping me explain myself . I will do the same if my 90 or 91.5 ever need a HG.

 

The Cummins part numbers to use are
3283335= stock thickness
3283337= .010" oversize
3283339= .020" oversize