Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 50 lbs boost is just to much! lost my head gasket

[snowracer69]

Well, on Wednesday night last week I was driving to Eugene Oregon when I thought that I could hear some water running in my pickup, sounded like it was coming from the front of the passenger seat. I asked my buddy next to me if he could hear it too. He said that he did and thought that the water level in the radiator might be low. So I did not think much more about it that night. The next morning I went out to start my pickup to go to school and thought that I would check the water level before I left. I looked in the radiator and could not see any water in there. I thought well that sucks! Then I opened up the cap on the water return reservoir. Guess what was in there…. . about 2 quarts of OIL!!! I know right away that I had lost my head gasket. I they checked the oil level it was about 2 quarts low too.



I had 2 midterms on Thursday so I could not do anything till Friday mooring. I also had another problem I had no place to take my head off! I’m from Klamath Falls and go to school in Corvallis. Since I have seen over 1600 on the pyrometer a couple of times and over 1200 a couple of times a week since I have owned my pickup (about 30k) I was not sure that the head was not cracked. So I needed a place to take my head off and take the head down to a machine shop to see what kind of condition it was in. After calling all the people that I could think off around Corvallis I still could not find a shop to work in. Then I was talking to a TDR member down in Arizona he suggested looking in the TDR Travel companion book. So I took him up on his advice and found a guy off of TDR that lived about 15 minuets from Corvallis. He agreed to let me use his shop and tools! What a relief that was to find someone that was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to help me out. Plus he is a retired mechanic!



I then with the help of 2 others started the task of taking the head off. It took us about 2 hours from start to finish to get the head off. To my surprise the pistons looked brand new in there and you could still see the hone marks on the cylinder walls. After a close look at the head gasket we came to the assumption that between cylinder #2 and #3 is where the head gasket failed (see photo below).



The next step was to take the head to the machine shop and have them see what the damage was to the head. I dropped if off there Friday after noon. They immediately examined the head for cracks by magna-fluxing it (that's what it's called, right?). To my surprise they said that they did not think that there were any cracks in the head. He did say that it was about 5 thousands off and would have to be resurfaced, which they will be doing Monday and checking it closer to make sure that there are no cracks other places.



So now you know where I’m at as of Sunday night. I just wanted some advice on what I should have done while my head is off. I think that since I will still be running 50lbs of boost that I would be stupid to put it back on with out at least O-ringing the head. So this is a list of what I think I should do or I’m considering doing while the head is off.



1. Head is being resurfaced said that he will take off about 7 thousands

2. Was told to get Cummins head gasket part number 3283337 which is 10 thousands over stock.

3. O-ring head

4. Studs 12mm do I need them?

5. Porting & Polishing? Any info on this who does it and what would it cost?

6. change the oil and filter

7. Any suggestions/tips on cleaning out the cooling system. It’s full of oil right now.

8. Anything else I may need to do.







Thanks, Lucas

 

[snowracer69]

Here is the head gasket photo:





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[JGheen]

Originally posted by snowracer69





1. Head is being resurfaced said that he will take off about 7 thousands

2. Was told to get Cummins head gasket part number 3283337 which is 10 thousands over stock.

3. O-ring head

4. Studs 12mm do I need them?

5. Porting & Polishing? Any info on this who does it and what would it cost?

6. change the oil and filter

7. Any suggestions/tips on cleaning out the cooling system. It’s full of oil right now.

8. Anything else I may need to do.







Thanks, Lucas

Why are you going with a thicker head gasket? I agree, O-ring the head, but does that require going with a thick gasket??

I would go ahead and stud the head, especially with 50 psi of boost. You might want to throw nitrous or porpane to it one day, so its best to be prepared.

Go ahead and at least clean up the intake and exhaust ports. Maybe take off a couple thousandths all the way through to get a little more CFMs.

Oil and filter, absolutley. Oo.

For the cooling system, I would probably have it flushed out with one of those flusher machine things they have at all the dealerships. I think that stiff is a cleansing solvent that they sned through the whole system and it should definately get all the crap out of your radiator, etc.

I would have mentioned pressure wash the engine, but you already had the head off in your post story. Did you clean the whole engine compartment??

Hope everything works out for ya, I hate being in binds like your situation. Thats just my 2 cents worth.

 

[snowracer69]

So far this is what I have done to my pickup



1997 RAM2500 4x4 auto Dtt 89% DD-3 injectors

timming @16 4k GSK afc spring #4 full forward

Bell USB turbo K&N Fiter DT Track Bar Rip's 4in exhaust.

Snow water/meth



With out the water/meth turned on I get 43lbs boost. When I turn it on it will go up to 50lbs. 50/50 mix.



I also have a 215 hp pump that I was getting ready to put on but don't know when that will happen now.



Lucas

 

[snowracer69]

I just thought that since they are going to take off about 7 thousands that I would need the thicker head gasket. So you are saying that I should still run the stock head gasket? I will be O-ringing it too for sure, I don't want to have to do this anytime in the near future.



Thanks for the reply



Lucas

 

[Stroker Smoker]

I'd go with the over sized head gasket. It will lower your compression ratio slightly, but it won't be so hard on your engine when you are running high boost.



You post amplifies the little voice in the my head that says don't take it to 50 PSI you'll break something. Usually I don't listen though. I can peg my 50 lb gauge on hard 4th & 5th gear pulls. I'm sure my lucks running out.

 

[Stomp]

Hey Lucus sorry to hear your pickup isnt going. I bumped up my boost to about 45psi and after hearing a couple of people talk I might drop it down to 40psi again.



Hey send my a pm sometime.



Torgersen aka Stomp

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by Stroker Smoker

I can peg my 50 lb gauge on hard 4th & 5th gear pulls.

Your sig says you are running an HX35? Are you running that at 50PSI?

 

[Stroker Smoker]

Yep, My Sig. is correct, I'm still running an HX35/16. And yes I know it is out of the effeciency map at 32 PSI. A B1 is in the plans but first I need a better clutch and a better head gasket and maybe a ported head, while I'm at it I better get the head O-ringed. One thing at a time I guess.



Im really suprised but the HX35/16 has supported me to 420 RWHP and I can still tow 15K without melting my engine down.



Phill

 

[Shrimpy]

Hey Lucas, If you can don't forget to stud the head if possible. Buddies of mine has twins and sees 75-80 psi regularly with no issues. Good luck on the rest... .



Jim

 

[snowracer69]

Stomp:



I would be turning that down a little unless you want to not have a pickup for a couple of weeks... .



Shrimpy:



I'm going to order the stud kit. I'm going to stay with the 12mm. I think that the 14mm would be a little over kill for me.



Thanks for the replys



Lucas

 

[Jim Fulmer]

12mm studs work just fine as does the single O-ring, 14's are better without a doubt but then your talking about allot of work to get them in (properly). Some time within the next few months you'll see me go to a different setup, 14mm's and a single O-ring head!



Jim

 

[Dieselnut59]

Just the subject I was looking for! I have the stock 215 injectors now, but just bought a set of 370's. I am running close to 50 psi through the totally stock turbo (Banks guage only registers to 40#, and it will BURY the needle) I have been very lucky with my head gasket so far, but as a prevenative measure, I am going to do the upgrades before installing the injectors. I have a spare engine to use the head off of, so I will send the head out to have it O-ringed, polished, ported, stronger valve springs installed, etc. Who do yall recommend for the head work, a performance cam, turbo upgrade and the studs?

I will do the work myself (I am a forklift mechanic for a living) and I have a shop to work in, as well as all the tools I believe I will need, just need a good source for the head work and the necessary parts. Thanks for the help!!

John