Head Gasket Leak Help

[dkuehn]

How much trouble is it to replace a head gasket on a 1993 Cummins. Mine is leaking antifreeze in the back on the turbo side of the motor. Any tricks or tips when doing this? How long will it take as I'm good with wrench as I rebuilt gas motors back a few years. I talked to a Cummins Dealer and he said $2200 if it's only a head gasket!!!!! WOW!!!! I think I'm working in the wrong job!!! Thats way out of my range to have somebody do the work for me. Any of you guys have other way to try to seal this with any other means that will hold up to time? Any help will be much appreciative



Thanks

Dan

 

[Greenleaf]

Cyl. Head R&R

Well,,,,,,difficulty level is related to your experience level. Also, it depends on how many buds ya got and if any owe you a favor or two



Do a search for our trucks. 1st gen. Cyl. head R&R. There is a ton of info. Also look in the past issue # 40 I think. OK, maybe no. 39 :confused



Scott

 

[MMiller]

I just pulled my head off (trucks head) on saturday. Took me a couple of hours start to finish by myself. The only help I had was getting the hood off. It was pushing compression in to the cooling system. I did the head gasket about a year ago when coolant started leaking out right under the t-stat housing. I started a 7 am and had the truck running a about 6pm. Finished it the next day.



It is not a big deal. The reason for the head gasket leaking the second time; I found 3 head bolts loose, I think they stretched as I reused the originals. I will not be doing this again. I have all new ones coming. Also take the head to a machine shop to get it decked while you have it off. So far I have $138 in machine shop charges, $179 in a head gasket kit, $65 in head bolts, $20 in exhaust manifold bolts, and $30 for a t-stat. All cummins parts.



Any questions just ask. Its pretty straight forward.



Michael

 

[dpuckett]

I replaced my head gasket last summer. Took me a little longer than it did MMiller. I worked on it after work for 3 days I think. Took longer to clean everything off than to actualy do the work. I took the head to a machine shop to have it checked for flat and cracks. Found cracks between every injector hole and intake valve seat (common for the older nonIC trucks- 9mm injector holes). Head was within . 003" lengthways for flatness. I put the head back on, with the new Cummins gasket, and so far so good, cracks and all. I would be surprised if your 93 had the cracks, though. I reused all my bolts- head bolts still had plenty of room, and the manifold wasnt worth new ones. If you plan on BOMBing, (yeah, like I need to say "IF"), you might look into a . 010 or . 020 over head gasket, though that is normally reserved for extreme HP guys; lowers compression ratio, and thus cylinder pressures so you can feed more fuel and air. I wouldnt have the head redecked unless it needed it. I would recommend redoing the valve seals, though. I know, 25 HP penalty: and how many Hail Holsets do I need to say, Pastor?



I plan on getting a new(er) ported head this year, so I'll go with the thicker gasket then. By then I should be intercooled, and ready for MACH2 or 3s.



Daniel

 

[MMiller]

I suggested head bolts because I had some come loose, by stretching probably, and cause my second head gasket failure.



Second, I replace the manifold bolts beacuse they are cheep, and may not come out the second time, because of fatigu, they may break. I see this often on the equipment I work on. They become so brittle because of the heat they take, and when loosend and then tightened, they can break easily. It is cheap insurance for me, I keep holding out thinking some day I will be able to get a ATS manifold, and new charger



Just reasons I advised new hardware.



20 head bolts(didn't replace the ones that hold the rockers down) $65



12 manifold bolts $20



Michael

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

If I remember right there is a "template" you use to check the bolt length. If it has stretched a certain amount you replace it otherwise it should be ok to re-use...

Just a thought. .





bob.



ps: I'm all outta HP demerrit points,,, but I'm expecting a shipment in on Monday...

 

[Greenleaf]

I'm all outta HP demerrit points,,, but I'm expecting a shipment in

Oo. Oo.



gives me time to catch up!!



Greenleaf

 

[MMiller]

If I remember right there is a "template" you use to check the bolt length.

Yes you are correct bob. And I did use the gauge when I replace the head gasket the first time. It came in the head gasket kit I just got from cummins 2 weeks ago.



Michael

 

[dpuckett]

Cummins Gateway MUST have a Dodge price sheet

The manifold and head bolts were nowhere NEAR that cheap at the Cummins store in Sikeston last summer. More like $8 apiece, if I remember. Didnt even check manifold bolts, but had to drill and tap 4 holes in the head, and put in new grade 8 (ok, metric equivalent) bolts from the hardware store in their place.