are you refering to a headstud kit? and wheres a good place to get a fairly inexpensive head set? I know I know i said it "INEXPENSIVE" is there such thing when dealing with diesel.... ha ha I used to own a 99 powerstroke... so a cummins is gonna little bit easier on my pocket book then it.

 

No i wouldnt spend the money on studs with what your running now. If you look in the sticky there is a lot of info on head gaskets just make sure your bolts arent stretched and use a good quality head set. Last one i got from napa is still working fine other then that get 1 from cummins.

 

I personally wont add anything if
1) I am not certain I can help
2) If someone else is already giving the same answers I would....most of us wont chime in to repeat whats already being said...

 

x2 napa HG ~$60

 

With the head off, check the block for cracks, and how deep the ridge is at the top of the pistons. Ideal is no ridge.

 

Ok sounds good guys and thanks again for the help!!! I will keep yall posted on my progress.

Are you suggesting this one and what do you mean "x2"

 

In my opinion... no other gasket touches my motor unless it's from Cummins. That's just me. I'd rather use what it had from the factory which, in the case of my head gasket, lasted 20 years.

Not only is spray angle different but, if they're original non i/c injectors, they have 9mm nozzles on them and will not fit in an i/c head with 7mm injector bores.

 

yes i am, has not failed yet. has only seen 40 psi.

 

The only thing I can add is that if it IS a headgasket blown between cylinders, or anywhere else for that matter, continuing to drive it that way may junk the engine.
As it is, you may have to surface the head and block.

Of course, I needn't tell you to check it 6 ways to Sunday with straightedges, before dropping the head back on.

Mark.

 

Ok guys I'm back with my problem diagnosed... but first I wanna give a thanks to everyone who chimed in with all the good advice. So thank you!!!

Now back to my problem.... after getting the head off it was plain as day what the issue was.



All I have to say is barrytransport you obviously know your sh*t. lol

 

Yikes, that is a significant blowout.
How do the surfaces check out?

Mark.

 

Surprisingly everything looked good the block was smooth all over except for one spot I was concerned about....



But it cleaned up real nice with some Emory cloth. As for the head it's overall pretty smooth and no burrs or anything around the valves and it looks straight by the naked eye. Tomorrow i plan on going up to cummins central power in Kansas City to get my gasket kit and then checking everything with a straight edge and feeler gauges.

 

If I had my head off already, I'd have it gone through and magnafluxed before putting it back on. Nolands machine shop in downtown KC is pretty reasonable and I've always been happy with their work.

Guardrail

 

My buddy works for a machine shop in Kingston, mo they well known around here for there precise work and they told me to mill the head and a valve job it would run me about $350-$400 and it would go up if I needed new valves and guides. Does that sound high? I'm not fimilar with machine work.

 

Not sure of the price. I'd call around and compare. The last head I had done was off a skid loader and that was several years ago. My mechanic neighbor has used Nolands machine shop for years. Call them and a few others to get price comparisons.

Guardrail