Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cometic head gaskets are NO GOOD!!!

[Jason Griebel]

I finally got all the bugs worked out of my truck. Saved up and put BD twins on and they run great. Well when I put them on I ran it for about a week to two with low boost for break in. So then got it all warmed up and thought I would see what they would do and about the third ran up to 50-55 psi of boost the head gasket blow#@$%! When I put the twins on I retorqued the head studs to 140 ft-lbs.

With that all being said I think my last resort is fire rings. My question is what is everyone using for this? Is there a special gasket? Is one way better then another, and what is the best way to do it? Because I don't want to have this happen again. Thanks

 

[Cummins Thunder]

I have heard the same thing about the Cometic.

 

[Jason Griebel]

Oh I forgot I called Cometic and they said that there having problems with those gaskets and if you take it out and send it back we'll give you a refund, but we have nothing to give you to fix the problem. I'm like now what do I do.

 

[aircop]

Get a stock gasket, and make sure head is perfectly flat. Have a shop do it and have it o-ringed at same time.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Jason,



Give Andy Sebek of Keystone-Diesel a call. He is located in Mt Pleasant PA. His number is 724-972-6073. He can help you. His web-site is keystone-diesel.com.



Jeff

 

[Jason Griebel]

I've been looking and found a head gasket fire ring kit, and they say head gasket modifed for fire rings. What do they modify on the gasket?

 

[Partyat33]

Been running ~70 psi with a 20 over gasket and o rings for couple of years. Been holding fine.

 

[PC12Driver]

I've been looking and found a head gasket fire ring kit, and they say head gasket modifed for fire rings. What do they modify on the gasket?

Basically, the cylinder openings are enlarged. The metal compression rings around each cylinder in the stock headgasket are cut out, so the only thing between the head and the block around the cylinders are the fire rings.

 

[Diesel Dummie]

i have a 10 over marine 12valve gasket on my 24valver and have seen 55psi with no trouble and only stock head bolts re tourqued once.

 

[zstroken]

For a street truck I would Oring it. Unless your pushing 80psi all the time.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

If you do fire rings, they are going to say you only need to cut the groove in the block. #@$%!



Do yourself a favor and cut the head, too. I had to get Kent Crowder in a headlock to tell me how to cut both the head and block. Patti of Haisley's told me at first just do the block and torque to 130#.



Ask her now and she'll tell you to do both.

 

[zstroken]

If you do fire rings, they are going to say you only need to cut the groove in the block. #@$%!



Do yourself a favor and cut the head, too. I had to get Kent Crowder in a headlock to tell me how to cut both the head and block. Patti of Haisley's told me at first just do the block and torque to 130#.



Ask her now and she'll tell you to do both.

Years ago, about 4 or 5 they said to groove both the head and block. Scheid just started grooving the block. The idea is it will allow the head to move a little when it gets heated extremely. Interesting they are going back to the head and block grooving.

 

[Jason Griebel]

It sounds like there are alot of different combs. that people are using, but I gather it's better to groove the head and block is this true?

I found a gasket mod for fire rings.

Dodge Cummins 5. 9L 24 Valve Diesel Fire Ring Gasket Kit

Is anyone useing this setup? If so how is it working?