Cracked head

[Josparkz]

So the more I dig, the deeper it gets. We found these little cracks on the bottom of the head. between the valves in cylinders 1 thru 3.
I have no idea how or when that happened.
Is this a common issue?
Who is a good place to get a new head from?
Thanks.

 

[Josparkz]

So the more I dig, the deeper it gets. We found these little cracks on the bottom of the head. between the valves in cylinders 1 thru 3.
I have no idea how or when that happened.
Is this a common issue?
Who is a good place to get a new head from?
Thanks.

 

[BigPapa]

Pretty common issue. There was a thread not long ago on this. It was originally about a 24-valve head, but there’s quite a few posts about 12-valve heads, too. Anywhere you can buy a 24-valve head should have 12-valve heads, too.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/the-engine-rebuild-saga-continues.271387/

 

[Josparkz]

Pretty common issue. There was a thread not long ago on this. It was originally about a 24-valve head, but there’s quite a few posts about 12-valve heads, too. Anywhere you can buy a 24-valve head should have 12-valve heads, too.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/the-engine-rebuild-saga-continues.271387/

Thank you.

 

[Josparkz]

View attachment 130055

View attachment 130056

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Even stock 215 hp engines may crack the head. Careful pocket porting can help prevent it.

 

[Josparkz]

Even stock 215 hp engines may crack the head. Careful pocket porting can help prevent it.

Thank you.
This whole deal sort of blows my mind though.
I've had that truck 25 years now and was not aware of this crack issue til it happened to me. I'm wondering how much this had to do with going to the 24 valve engine.

 

[BigPapa]

I'm wondering how much this had to do with going to the 24 valve engine.

They crack, too.

 

[Josparkz]

They crack, too.

I guess there is no bullet proof engine.

 

[BigPapa]

The Cummins 5.9 is the closest thing I’ve found. How many miles on yours?

 

[Josparkz]

The Cummins 5.9 is the closest thing I’ve found. How many miles on yours?

About 230,000. I haven't hit the quarter million mark yet. Most of it was put on in the first 12 or so years. I haven't been using it so much since I got retired.

 

[BigPapa]

I’m sure I’ll need a head when I finally tear mine down. I’ve got almost 600K on mine and never had the head off.

 

[Josparkz]

I’m sure I’ll need a head when I finally tear mine down. I’ve got almost 600K on mine and never had the head off.

You've been pretty lucky with that, for sure. And you've had yours turned up more than mine ever was. Maybe it's cause of the higher altitude here and the air is thinner <LOL>

 

[DonFitzwater]

I've done several "head gasket" jobs on 12 valves over the years and not a single one had a head that wasn't cracked. I've always had the machine shop order a head the same day I dropped the head off for inspection because I'm just sure it's cracked. They aren't expensive to replace and it's always been the fastest way to get the truck back together in my experience (new head vs rebuilt head).