what has to be done to install head studs and a new gasket. how difficult is it?

 

Check out this thread...
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=137523

 

Is your headgasket currently blown? If not you can leave the head on and do one at a time. Start in the middle and work your way out in a spiral pattern. If you headgasket has to be replaced you may want to bottom tap the holes in your block for more thread engagement, but either way definitely suck your holes out to get trash and oil out before you put the studs in. A turkey baster with a short length of tubing on the end reportedly works well for sucking the holes out.

 

No my head gasket isnt blown..........yet

 

sounds like a pain, how much would one of these diesel performance shops charge

 

You will have to take all the rockers off to put the studs. You can bottom tap the holes with the head on, either get a long tap or put a 1/4in extension on it. Blow the holes out with the air hose. Put the studs in by hand then back off ½ turn. Lash valves 20 thousands EX and 10 thousands intake.

 

Ill be doing mine soon also. How do you do the rear studs under the cowel? Ill prolly just take my truck to doug at PDW for this but incase i have the time to mess with it im curious about them back studs.

 

There's rubber grommets in the cowl that have to come out to get to the ones in the back. I took the insulation that's over those grommets and cut it back about 6" and then glued it. This will make things a lot cleaner when doing the head. You can take a couple of your buddies with an 8-10' pole and a hook welded to it and lift the head off. It's not as heavy as everyone thinks. One important thing is to take the head and have it ground flat. If you set it up with a machine shop u can have it done in one day. Pull the head on Thursday evening, drop it off Friday morning and pick it up that evening. Should take one day to put back on and make sure you bring it up to temperature and then re-tourqe again. I believe that's the key to holding a gasket. IMHO.