Head Gasket Failing?

[dsldude]

Hey folks. I have some coolant leaking from the head bolt by #1 cylinder. What are the thoughts that a head stud kit might actually help seal this up? I have a feeling I am just gonna have to do a the head gasket at this point, but thought I would see what others thoughts are. I guess it would be good to see what the pistons and stuff look like anyway.

 

[sag2]

Leaking or weeping? Stock truck? They generally don't loose head gaskets on stock trucks so more info might be helpful.

 

[dsldude]

Looks like slight leak from front corner exhaust side as well as some seeping from bolt. It will be coming off this weekend. I wanna see the pistons condition anyway. Truck is not stock.

 

[Wayne M.]

The only time I’ve personally witnessed a head gasket fail was a 12 valve in a Case 621 wheel loader. It did leak coolant off a corner.

 

[dsldude]

Well at this rate i have everything pulled so I may as well pull it and check engine health as well

 

[NIsaacs]

The only time I’ve personally witnessed a head gasket fail was a 12 valve in a Case 621 wheel loader. It did leak coolant off a corner.

They are actually pretty common at that location. The problem is the coolant bypass port is too close to the edge of the head/block. The bead of silicone is about 1/16" wide on the head gasket. I blame Cummins (lol) the gasket and high pressure at high RPM with a cool engine and thermostat closed.

I had to change mine on the '01 at 258k, the '91 and Ford are both original, however, they are both lower RPM engines v/s the '01. Note the area by the blue dots. That
hole is not for a head bolt, it is the bypass port. It is rare for me to rev over 2700 now.

 

[dsldude]

Ill be throwing in arp studs so hopefully no issues after that

 

[dsldude]