Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Doh!! Did it again

[patrobertson]

I just blew my second head gasket in less than a year. But I am at my folks house in California for the holidays so it won't snow on me. I don't think my wastegate is working properly, and just got an overboost and blew compression into the coolant. Both times I have had this happen have been the same thing, blowing compression into the coolant. Oh well I will have experience now at least. Last time my head was milled . 008 inch and was in good shape so I think I am just going to get a . 020 over headgasket and call it good as long as everything looks good. Give me a chance to install the injectors that I have feeling Santa brought me. I am also going to use a better torque wrench as I think the last one was not calibrated properly. Any suggestions as to why this may have happend, timings at 15. 5, 11 plate, bhaf, straight exhaust?

Everyone have a Merry Christmas, God bless.



Shane



P. S. will a 96 5 sp with 11 plate, 15. 5 timing and BD injectors (60hp) be able to beat a 01 6sp with DD II's and comp box? Old man got himself Christmas this year, I don't know if my mom knows about the injectors yet. Can't let him beat me. Thanks

 

[Deezul1]

I hope it wasnt the waste gate that caused it as I dont have one and am boosting 40lbs peak and drop off to 37 with about the same mods as you.

Good Luck with the replacement and watch out for the Garlic trucks.

 

[Reb.B]

are u using propane? also when putting on a new head, need to get ALL the oil out of the head bolts holes in the block. Maybe its time to o-ring the head or at least run studs. What gasket did u use. Piers saus never run the Fel pro gasket on our trucks, the fire ring is too small. What turbo do u have? i don't think it was the turbo, on my 24v truck i ran 48 psi boost on a stock hx 35 (this was real stupid) and didn't blow anything. My dad and i hit over 50 psi on the B-1 and that has no wategate and never blown a gasket. I'm curious if your timing was set correctly?

 

[patrobertson]

Maybe lack of experience

Last time my timing was way too high, about 28 degrees after calculating, this time I am pretty sure it was set right by a good guy in Utah. (Last time a shop in California used a crank sensor to set the timing instead of the pump. ) I am running a stock HX 35 and I can hit 46 + when I am at my folks house in California, I know it is about 10 psi over the map range but I am not used to driving here. I am usually in Utah at about 5,000 ft. which makes top boost about 38 or so. I can't figure it out either, maybe I just did something wrong last time. I have a much better torque wrench now, last one was a piece. I may have had some oil in the bolt holes I am really not sure, but I know that I am pushing compression into the coolant. I was using the Cummins gasket, I think it was stock or . 010 over so now I am going with the . 020, hopefully that will work to lessen head pressure a bit. I am also going all new headbolts so I should be in good shape. I was just as frustrated when it happend but at least it happened while I have time to fix it, and not when I don't. Plus Santa brought me some new BD injectos so here comes the smoke.

How can I check my wastegate to see if it is working properly? I think I want to set it at about 38 psi.

 

[Rhondasway]

boost

I'm interested to know if it was the boost issue... I have 370's, a custom-ground plate (#5? ) pushed a bit, and PDR HX35/14 non-wastegated (342 HP) on a '97 with 211,000 miles. I hit 47 pounds quickly and often (learning how to feather the throttle... ). I know the head gasket can be a problem, but when to be concerned? Is this something that will occur if that much boost is applied too often? Or is it a case of "if it was going to happen it would have"?

 

[patrobertson]

Found the problem

It wasn't a boost problem it had to due with a bad torque wrench that wasn't calibrated. I am pretty upset but oh well its over with. I wouldn't worry about the boost until you start getting past 50 psi. If your running the HX 35 the boost looses efficiency around 36 psi. I am going to get the . 020 over gasket and hope that one day I can increase my turbo psi. and the . 020 should help.



Shane

 

[Rhondasway]

boost efficiency

Thanks Shane. I have recently learned about the turbo "map", and now know why I shouldn't wind it up to 45+... I'm all over that "maximizing power"! That turbo's a monster!Oo.

 

[Animal]

Re: Maybe lack of experience

Originally posted by patrobertson

I am running a stock HX 35 and I can hit 46 + when I am at my folks house in California, I know it is about 10 psi over the map range but I am not used to driving here. I am usually in Utah at about 5,000 ft. which makes top boost about 38 or so.

I don't think the boost pressure is the problem. With 46+ for boost on a stock HX35, the drive pressure is running 60+. :--) You need to open up the exhaust housing to a 16cm^ to lower your drive pressure.