Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) blown head gasket

[Gasmasher]

Noticed bad oil leak on truck and engine making funny noise while idling. Limped truck home and found head gasket on #4 cyl. leaking compression. My finacial advisor said we could swing ARP suds. Wondering if they are a plug and play or if anything special like machine work needs to be done to head or rockers etc. . or if there is anything else I need to know. I am going to check head and block for warpage

 

[moser11]

I'm pretty sure that you have to machine the back hole for the stud to clear the valvecover on the rocker stands...

 

[JDKammin]

The latest set of ARP studs require some machine work on the rocker stands. I cannot remember the specs, but . 300" comes to mind. Easily done by a competent machine shop.

 

[BBeckmann]

U can either machine rocker stands or when u have head off bottom tap all the stud holes and machine sum of the stiffening ribs out of the valve covers with a dremel. . .

 

[Gasmasher]

Well got head off today. Gasket blown on cyl#3 and #4 on fire ring heading toward push rod holes. Got some pretty deep grooves where the fire rings sealed on head. Is this a common problem?