Difference between O-ring and fire-ring

[drice]

I need a new head gasket BAD but I don't know what the diference is with fire-ring I plan to go to twins later so I atleast need to O-ring it. what are the advantages and disadvantages of each.

thanks in advance



see sig for parts

512hp and 1097tq

 

[HVAC]

I am of the belief that the fire ring system is more capable of holding the compression in the barrels. The fire ring can expand to compensate for head lift (more dynamic), the O-ring system is more static. Kinda depends on how much boost you intend to run.



That having been said, Richard's truck was running 100 psi of boost Friday night and he has a copper gasket with O-rings Making a copper gasket work is a lil more tricky though

 

[drice]

I don't plan to get over 70-80 psi

knowing this which would be the best bang for the buck ???

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Dan I don't know if I can add to HVAC's reply except that he has had good luck with double O-rings, I still have the single in the head and have had real good luck with it but I don't go past 70 psi, on the new motor I would use the C-rings as I plan on being at 80+ and that is too much for a single O-Ring.



Jim

 

[HVAC]

AHA!

on the new motor

So, there is a new powerplant in the wings eh???



Guess we all have a engine stand project for the winter. My spare block is a 53, wonder if I should proceed with it?



I am runnin' double O-rings with a copper gasket. Doin good so far. Richard and CSutton are also runnin a dual ring copper system. We have had failures in the beginning though.



DRice, get some studs. Jim, when your block is at the machine shop, have them rethread the deck for 14mm studs. I had a machineist workin' on a better stud material but he calculated we would make more strength by going to a thicker stud. I'm takin' his advice on my winter project motor. Gotta keep that head from lifting.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Sounds like after all the winter projects are done there needs to be a dyno day next fall in the middle of the country... . maybe The second annual Texas Dyno Day.



Nowel, and Jim, good luck on the new engines.







Dan,

If your going to have the head off then you might as well do the fire-rings. The cost is a little more, but if your going to do something, do it all the way right? HERE IS A LINK that has some info on fire-rings. The link should point you stright to the post where it starts. As with most of their stuff, the Haisley's have their stuff together on these.





on edit, the link doesn't work, so copy and paste this into the address bar, and skip three posts down.



this:

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=18103;start=75











Andrew

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Jim, when your block is at the machine shop, have them rethread the deck for 14mm studs.



Dang, that's what I was thinking looks like 14mm's and C-rings will be in order for a new motor along with a big set of Twins..... anyone got a spare lotto ticket to fund this!



Jim

 

[Battering Ram]

Jim I know you have probably done your homework but last time I talked to Haisley he said the Fire rings with the 14mm XHD studs would hold 200psi which should be plenty for anyone. Only worry I had about c-rings was the actuall c-ring breaking. Maybe HVAC will jump in here... I think he told me about a c-ring break also.

 

[MCummings]

Fire Rings are holding 90+PSI here, at 4,000RPM. But, I had a little Oil/Water swapping. I think I just need to retorque my head, as I have not done that yet since the install of the fire ring, and 12mm studs.



Merrick



BTW, My Single O-Ring in the block was not holding, and had worn the head down (needed to be machined . 010") at 78PSI with my 40/3B combo.



EDIT: Dan, those drugs finally get to your head?

 

[drice]

well you know

I think that bottle has been leaking in the cab



ok so now is the real question Where?



I would like to do it over thanksgiving so I could drop it off the weekend before and pick it up the monday after since I will be gone for the week.

 

[MCummings]

Where?



Everywhere.

Every cylinder was leaking compression. Prety much uniform. It had not "blown", and wasn't leaking excesively. It was just enough that at 78PSI the head was walking around, and wearing out on the fire ring of the OEM headgasket. My only clue was the pressurized coolant, and coolant level that was creeping up after every pass down the 1/4.



Merrick

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Merrick, I think he means 'where to have it done???'



Drice,

I'd be glad to do it. Merrick and Horace have both been through my shop in the last few months. The limiting factor on 'who' is the $1600 worth of tools it takes. I can also do an exchange head if need be.



Whoever does it, make sure you deck the head.



The fire rings are guaranteed to 80# by Haisley. I had one fail as a fluke and they replaced the rings and gasket no questions asked. Great folks. great parts.



Later,

Mark

 

[drice]

talk to me mark I will send you a PM