Any feedback on doing a HG would be appreciated. Im just leaking some coolant externally from the passenger side front of the head. I was thinking I could just lift it up 8-12 inches wipe everything down clean and swap the gasket. Im only running 25 psi, so its not a crazy setup.

I have another head Im porting to swap out, but it wont be done in time for this. I just need a semi-quick fix, until the heads ported and reswap it again.

 

Hey Wallace, when do you plan on doing this? I'm usually around if you need some help. Would be a good learning experience for me too if you don't mind me taggin along. Dale has my number
Dan

 

i havent done a cummins yet, but make sure you have the proper torque sequence and #'s. Assuming your head isnt warped you should be fine for a temporary fix.

 

If your going to lift the head 8-12 inches, you mine as well lift it off and put in on a bench so you can clean it right. Same amount of stuff has to get moved out of the way. Take the injectors out so you don't damage the tips. Remove the injector lines as 2 sets of 3 lines. Make sure you unplug all the sensors on the head, check carefully, I broke some wires one time. Unbolt the turbo and let it drop away alittle bit, unbolt the alternator bracket, you can leave the alternator on, but the upper bracket comes off.

How bad is it leaking/seeping? My brothers 96 is seeping in the front also, somedays it seeps and others it doesn't, waiting for time to do it. How far from done is your other head? I would try to put some effort into that one to get it done and only have to do it once.

 

i am having the same problems as you are, let me know when you plan to do this, it might be worth the trip out there to help and learn.....

 

Im hoping to do it this this weekend. The kids are off to the Ex-wife for a few days. So I can work uninterrupted. I also have to install a turbo and fab a downpipe in my turbo car this weekend. I figure with a 48 ft trailer and 2 cars inside I want all the coolant in the radiator.

It leaves a little puddle if I run it for 5 minutes. I havent started on the other head yet. It will take about 35 hours to complete. I wish I had time to do it as the last one I did turned out really well. It flowed more than if one upgraded to a HX40, so it will help keep things cool with the injectors and fuel pin installed.

 

I assume I have to pull the rockers/pushrods??

 

Yes. The rocker mounts are held down by head bolts. Make sure you back out the valve adjuster screws all the way before breaking those head bolts loose, there is an oil feed tube that can be damaged if they go back on cockeyed. The pushrods would constantly be in your way when trying to reinstall the head, so pull 'em out.

 

Someone here had a great suggestion that i read after we did my HG,
Jack up the front, remove the wheels, and lower slowly, till the rotors are sitting on 2 pieces of wood! It will make the reaching and bending so much easier!
It took the two of us (thanks Dave) a total of 11 man hours,
I left the turbo on the exhaust manifold when mine came off,
And dont forget to look in the sticky about bleeding injectors before you need to!
When we first got mine running, it sounded like we left a few sockets in the bores!!!! But just needed to bleed more!
Peter,

 

11 hours?? Dang, I was thinking 6 or so.... I do like the wooden block idea for my stubby butt.

 

Well, that leaves me out...but take a lot of pics and do a really good write-up for the rest of us?????

 

I'm headed home today, Wallace, to get my trans the rest of the way fixed. If you can hold off until saturday or sunday then I'd come back up to Salina and help. It's up to you. Whatever is most convenient. My monkey arms might be of some use for reaching the back studs etc...

 

Just swing by and see if Im working on it, just wear something pretty...

 

I did my first one (nonIc 90, 40psi boost, then a timing bump) in about 10hours, including taking it to the machine shop to get checked for flatness and cracks, and doing it in AUG in MO. Last one took me about 6hrs in Feb- about 25deg for the high and windy. Neither was much fun.

Get it all clean, check the head, mill if necessary. I used a rotary wire brush to clean the head and block.

Change oil and coolant, no matter how new it all is.

Change valve seals while you have it apart. Likewise, if you plan to BOMB or install an exhaust brake, get HD valve springs in there at this time.

Get a cherry picker. I did the last one by hand, and I was a little winded after wrestling it around on top of the block and not getting anything nicked or chipped (At least I think I was good to go, anyway).

USE CUMMINS PARTS ONLY!!!! I cant stress this enough. Felpro and the rest are JUNK beside the OEM Cummins gasket.

But, if it is running fine, and you arent dumping coolant by the gallon, I'd wait til I had the other head done and save $150-200 and get the HG kit only once.

Daniel