Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cummins head gaskets

[V-Metalworx]

Does anyone know of a better head gasket for the ISB engines I'm rebuilding mine I was gonna firering it but the more I hear about fire rings the more I don't want them heard guys are poping freeze plugs now this tells me they're getting compression in the cooling system I don't know about anyone else but I'd rather replace a head gasket than freeze plugs I heard cometic gaskets were making a good head gasket for that chevy brand diesel (dont wana say the name) If not think I'll just run studs with stock cummins gasket any one got any ideas?

 

[CSnyder]

just clip your water pump and eliminate the extra coolant pressures that push freeze plugs and headgaskets. Firerings will serve you well with a set of studs and a stock OEM gasket or upgrade to a 12 valve drilled gasket.

 

[V-Metalworx]

this may sound stupid but clip the water pump? thanks for the reply seems like you don't get the responce to questions like you used to on here any more I thought the freeze plug isue was due to the fire rings leaking compression in the water ports I still don't see how those things work not like o rings and a coper gasket how can you cut just the head or block and get it to seal thanks

 

[DCreed]

some stock gaskets have been failing and the "paper" is causing severe problems. Just go studs and a prepped marine (all steel) HG. how mcuh boost are you pushing?

 

[ANelson]

I used the cummins head gasket on my 01 with 12mm ARP head studs. I torqued the studs to ARP specs and lost the head gasket less than 100 miles later. I talked to Piers and they recommended ignoring ARP and torqueing 125ftlbs. Just giving you the heads up.

 

[GDMRTN]

I torqued my ARP studs to 140ftlbs. Still lost stock gasket. There's another option, putting wire in around the compression ring on factory gasket. Anybody know what they call that? All you do is get a small groove cut in the head and lay a special wire in and clamp it down. Seems fairly reliable.

 

[CSnyder]

I torqued my ARP studs to 140ftlbs. Still lost stock gasket. There's another option, putting wire in around the compression ring on factory gasket. Anybody know what they call that? All you do is get a small groove cut in the head and lay a special wire in and clamp it down. Seems fairly reliable.



This wire ring you refer to is called o-ringing. 140 FT LBS isnt out of line.



Yes you should clip 2 water impellors on your water pump in order to lower coolant pressures after 1900 RPM where they max out at.

 

[V-Metalworx]

so far I've just been running an hx35 most boost I've seen is about 40-45psi but after I get my engine built and all back together was gonna build a set of twins after I get the new engine broke in but I still don't plan on running more than 50-60 psi

 

[V-Metalworx]

O ya did find out some good news yesterday Cometic gaskets does make a good multy layer head gasket was told it would be good for 70psi with head studs the down side is it's 300$ but it would be worth it if it holds those heads are a pain to get off in the truck wish me luck

 

[OWeigel]

O ya did find out some good news yesterday Cometic gaskets does make a good multy layer head gasket was told it would be good for 70psi with head studs the down side is it's 300$ but it would be worth it if it holds those heads are a pain to get off in the truck wish me luck

Where can one buy these?

 

[nickleinonen]

would a 3rd gen HPCR head gasket work? they are MLS gaskets... ?

 

[DCreed]

HG on second and third gen are different

 

[OWeigel]

Cometic Gasket, Inc.



Gasket Image

 

[Fishin Guide]

Clipping the water pump impeller will not fix the weeping freeze plug issue.



If you have a freeze plug pushing out, it was most going to weep anyway. Since cylinder pressure leaks into the coolant passages normally result in all the coolant getting pushed into the overflow bottle, I would start there. If you have a bad freeze plug, pull and replace it with the proper installation tool. It'll be fine. You could use a flat faced socket as well as long as it bears on the correct part of the plug.



You will need to fix that leaky head before you end up mixing water and oil. Studs are a minimum for elevated boost levels and as previously mentioned, the marine gasket is a better unit for the most part.



Clipping the water pump impeller is commonly done in street cars that have low gearing and cruise at higher rpm. The reason for clipping the impeller is to slow down coolant flow through the system. This reduces overheating in the high compression musclecars because the coolant does not stay in the radiator long enough to effectively cool the water. My '68 Firebird with a 455 has some cooling issues. So, I am no stranger to this.



Our Cummins trucks don't have this issue. And, the impeller does not create pressure! It simply moves fluid.



The pressure in the cooling system comes from heat and the cap. If you have pushed enough fluid out of the system into the bottle, the remaining coolant can boil and cause pressures to skyrocket! This can cause the radiator to fail, hoses to fail and freeze plugs to leak or become dislodged. It's all about surface area and tension.



Fix the leak. Keep the coolant at the proper level. And fix the combustion chamber leak to prevent these other issues from happening again.



Dave

 

[V-Metalworx]

Thanks guys for all the info I don't have a freeze plug isue yet I've got my engine tore down to do a rebuild but I really did'nt want to fire ring it so I'm glad I found these commetic gaskets man sure am tired of cleaning parts keep up the good info and thanks agin

 

[DCreed]

anyone running the commetics? how are they working??

 

[DHawk]

Hi, I'm Dhawk From Htstransmissions. I Was A Tester For Cometic On My P-pumped 24valve. I Have A Super 40 Top Turbo And S400 Bottom. 7100 Is Making Like 550cc's And I Have A Stock Block And Head With 12mm Studs Torqued To 150 Ft/lbs. I've Had It Running For About 500-1000 Miles And Have Seen 85-90 Lbs Of Boost And No Leaks. The Gaskets Are Ready For Sale Now And Are Much Cheaper Than Fire-ringing. If You Have A 24 Valve With Less Boost Than I Have, I Would Think It's A No Brainer. I Will Also Report Back With Long Term Use.

Dhawk

 

[AFoulk]

are you running the "Phuzion" gasket with the gas filled o-rings built into it?