I popped the gasket on my 97 friday.I know 19.5 degrees of timing and a pushing the hybrid to far on a stock engine is dumb but it did last along time for a high mile motor. What would be the best gasket to go back with with a o-ring and studs. I did a search and never really found a straight answer I could understand. We are going to try and o-ring the block if the cutter will fit and if not I'll have to beg the machine shop to get it in quick.

 

From what I understand, your better off getting the head o-ringed than the block. Main reason being is that if they mess up the o-ring, a head is a lot cheaper than a new block. I'd say go with ARP studs and an o-ring with a stock headgasket and you should be good to go.

 

Just put a stock gasket NO O rings.
Maybe consider a set of studs or new head bolts.
Make sure the head is flat!! (decked if needed by machine shop)

 

Why do you say no o-rings?

 

we give the head gasket a quick shot of silver hi temp paint and install it right after tack...never had a problem with a head gasket

 

Just studs would work in your case because you have a 3rd gen. (Have you ever seen a MLS Cummins HG??)

They are really neat. They have also come out with MLS steel manifold gaskets.

The MLS needs to be prepped/modified for the water ports on the block and head to line up on a 12v or a VP equipped 24V. I am not sure how they are modifying it, but form the success the 3rd gens are having it might be worth looking into it.

BUT for the 12v and VP 24v orings/studs or fire rings/studs are the way to go. With orings/fire rings it is not necessary to pull the block. You do have to get the head decked, then just check the block for flatness. I have done 4 HG to four separate trucks and the blocks have always been flat.

To prep the block you take a random orbital sander with a green (they have them at the dealerships) type scotch brite (spl?) pad and polish the block clean.

Take a look here.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=55752

Hope this helps...



Justin

 

i did my block in the truck and it holds 85 lbs of boost all the time
I get road rage kinda easy so i get out of the way pretty quick

 

Well, we got the truck apart today and it wasn't the head gasket. Darn thing had broke a tip off of a pushrod. But, since the head is off it went to the machine shop to get o-ringed and heavy valve springs put to it. I thought the springs would be a good idea since it sees 3600 some. At 250,000 the bores look like new. I had just put in studs this weekend(what a waste) so it is going back with new gasket,o-rings and studs. Hopefully this will cure any future problems. Thanks, Gary

 

Justin,
Yes, I have seen a MLS gasket.
MLS have been present since the introduction of the 03 model year.
The MLS manifold gasket has been present on industrial ISB's since around 2003.
MLS manifold gaskets became spec on DCX product in the 04.5 model year.