Title says it. I just last week installed new valve springs and an engine brake. I also repaired the leak at my T/stat housing and now one week from a trip to Death Valley with the monster 5'er from Hell I find an external coolant leak at the head gasket near the T/stat housing.

I do not have a time guide but I do have the proper tools and many years of unfortunate automotive experience. What kind of time can I expect to replace the head gasket? The odometer reads 199,995 miles.

Many Thanks!

 

If you have all the parts you need, it can be done in a long day by yourself, or a weekend with lots of breaks. However you will want to have an appointment already set up to have the head checked, which is highly recommended. I took a gamble when I had the leak from the same spot, I just threw a new gasket and some studs on and hoped for the best. Been fine ever since, but if I had the choice I wouldn't play with fire again. You're better off just getting an upper gasket kit from cummins, that way you have everything you need. Good luck

 

Thanks.

I have a machine shop two doors down from where I will be doing the work.
I try and get as many parts directly from Cummins as I can. I'm lucky to have "Cummins West" about an hour away.

R.O.Steel