I would like some opinions here please. I want to keep my head together and I will probably be going to and o-ring but I would like some opinions on STUDS. Right now the twins are wastegated to55#'s to baby the headgasket, but some slightly ;D BIGGER injectors are on the way. I want to keep boost around 70#'s. Studs should help the head from lifting and should help the headgasket to stay together. I'd like to here the pro's and con's.

 

From what I've been reading, a stock headgasket with studs that are properly torqued down, is good for 80 or so psi. As long as you allow it to reach proper operating temp (180-190 water temp) before putting your foot into it.

 

With the mods your talking about studs would only be a plus.I have studs for my application too.Studs help clamp the head down better and keep it from walking around on the gasket and block deck.<br><br> John

 

How much/Hard are these things to put in?<br>DM01

 

[quote author=dodgeman01 link=board=7;threadid=13346;start=0#125853 date=1049858504]<br>How much/Hard are these things to put in?<br>DM01<br>[/quote]<br><br><br>Studs are fairly easy to install. They go in with the double nut method. It just takes awhile due to how many there are. They run about 400 a set so they aren't exactly cheap.

 

How big are they? 1/2&quot;?

 

Battering Ram:<br><br>I have the &quot;ARP Case Hardened Studs&quot; in my 96' Dodge<br>CTD. Scheid Diesel installed mine last year after I blew<br>the head gasket running high boost (60lb.+) with the<br>B-1. As has already been pointed out, the studs are<br>supposed to be able to take 75-80lbs. of boost without<br>&quot;O-ringing&quot; the head, although, while you have the head<br>off, O-ringing is a good idea if you can afford it. The <br>torque on the studs is 120 ft. lbs. versus 90 ft. lbs. on<br>the stock head bolts. You can definitely &quot;feel&quot; the<br>difference while torquing the studs versus the stock<br>head bolts. To me, the stock head bolt felt like it<br>was &quot;stretching&quot; ALOT while tightening up! The stud<br>felt very solid.<br><br>Hope this has helped you some.<br><br>--------<br>John_P

 

John thanks for the info. What I am shooting for is 70psi without o-rings. I thought studs sounded like a good choice. Look's like they are the way to go.

 

What do these studs look like? What is the difference?<br>DM01

 

The studs are coarse thread on the bottom (like a normal head bolt) and fine thread on the top. They use a 12pt nut instead of the normal 6pt. The newer ones are skinny in the middle to allow things to move a little before they rub and to prevent hitting the headgasket when torqued.

 

Battering Ram:<br><br>You are very welcome! I am glad I was able to able<br>to help you some. I am really happy with mine and even<br>if I &quot;O-ring&quot; the head when I rebuild the engine, I will still<br>go with the &quot;ARP Case Hardened Studs!&quot;<br><br>-------------<br>dodgeman01:<br><br>It looks like &quot;Idaho CTD&quot; did an excellent job of explaining<br>what the studs look for you. All I can add is they are <br>TOUGH!! ;D<br><br>--------<br>John_P