Copper, Multi Layer, or Stock Head Gasket?

[justinp20012500]

Lost the head gasket last night, 60 PSI and the stock head bolts and gasket did not agree. I do have to give them credit though. They lasted through 4 months worth of pounding from me.

My question is which gasket should I use??? I am going to use the 12mm ARP studs.

What is best for a daily driven 500 HP truck? I have heard that a daily driver should not use a copper gasket. Why??? Is it because that in order to use the copper HG you have to oring the block and the head??? I am assuming that is the reason. I will be only Oringing the head.

Also I have heard there are a couple different types of head studs. I guess the ones form Don M are ready to use, but what about the ones directly from ARP?? Whats the difference???

I am guessing that you don't have to grind the studs on a 24V like on the 12V???

Any one running a head oring/12mm stud setup your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Justin-

 

[Jetpilot]

Justin,



The studs Don has available are the ARP models... . Now as for a suggestion towards head gaskets, I would go with an O-ringed head and a stock gasket. This has proved to be very reliable for boost up to 80 PSI or so. The copper gaskets are good to use but they normally will leak coolant when the engine is cold. Also they are very hard to get a good seal on, sometimes they seal fine other times they will give you fits. The MLS gasket looks to be a great thing for guys not wanting to O-ring. Problem is that both the head and block MUST be perfectly flat and smooth. To do it correct and get a good seal one would need to resurface both the block deck and head.



Doug

 

[justinp20012500]

Thanks for the reply Doug,



My other head is at a very reputable machine shop getting resufaced tanked and mangnafluxed before it is sent to the o ring guy.



What diameter of stainless orings are commoly used in the head?



What is done to the block once the head is removed???



What is the best way to clean the block in order to prepare for the HG and O ringed head???



And if I have missed any please feel free to speak up with all the tips, tricks and pitfalls.



Also has anyone ever heard of Chapman motosports in Woodscross, Utah???



The do alot of O ring jobs and custom head work for race cars, but never a diesel. They said it would be no problem to lay orings in it, they just need the head gasket that I am going to use.

 

[Hohn]

MLS by all means if you can locate it. No need to spend the $$ for O-ring and lessen the head and block deck strength.

ARP with MLS should hold 60psi even on an ETH.

BTW-- Chapman MS is legendary for their cylinder head porting, if we're thinking of the same Chapmans. I'd trust them to do almost anything engine related.

JLH

 

[justinp20012500]

Yes, they are the ones that port heads. I told them about the cummins head and the guy said they mostly do work on the aluminum heads. So it looks like I will have my buddy that works there do it in his spare time.



I have access to all the HG that I can get. I have a few 2001 24v head gaskets in my garage right now.



I was told the 2nd gen and 3 rd gen HG were different in material and where the water ports are located???



What is the difference and how can I make a MLS 3 rd gen HG work on my 01???



Thanks



Justin-

 

[Jetpilot]

The MLS gasket will fit with no mods. But if you don't prep the block as well as the head or it will not hold.



Doug

 

[justinp20012500]

The MLS gasket will fit with no mods. But if you don't prep the block as well as the head it will not hold.

Doug

What is the procedure for prepping the block???

 

[Jetpilot]

Justin,



When using a MLS gasket the head and block surfaces need to be mirror smooth. To do this right you would need to pull the block and have it milled and prepped extremely well to ensure the proper seal.



Doug

 

[justinp20012500]

Justin,

When using a MLS gasket the head and block surfaces need to be mirror smooth. To do this right you would need to pull the block and have it milled and prepped extremely well to ensure the proper seal.

Doug

Well,


Looks like the MLS will be out of the question then. Provided that all the pistons and sleeves look good the block will stay in. I can't see why they wouldn't be, it only has 50k on it.

Thanks for all your help Doug, I don't mean to be a pest...

 

[Jetpilot]

Justin,



Your never a pest..... They are all good questions. Good luck!



Doug