Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Head Gasket - Stock or Aftermarket and why?

[Reddog1]

What are the options on head gaskets?



I understand Piers has an after market gasket, but I haven’t checked yet.



What should I expect to pay for the gasket? Why should I use a particular gasket?



I have coolant leaking from the head, behind the thermostat housing.



I intend to set the timing at 16 degrees, no more than 40-lbs. boost, with less than 450 hp (probably 300 to 350).





Wayne

 

[HoleshotHolset]

IMHO, the stock... . or maybe a slightly thicker marine headgasket would be fine... . seeing as you intend to stay in the 16° range and below 40psi. The place where yours is leaking is common.....



We have all seen problems with the copper ones..... they're not for the daily driver type, yet... but they will be eventually once more R&D happens.



Matt

 

[Piers]

If you're going to stay under 45lbs boost, use the factory gasket.

The Cummins part # is

#3283335 is stock thickness

#3283337 is . 010" thicker

#3283339 is . 020" thicker

Do not use a Felpro head gasket, although I like Felpro gaskets in general, their Cummins head gasket has too thin of a fire ring for our bombed engines

 

[Reddog1]

Thanks for the response guys.



Piers - Do you have a Head gasket kit?





Wayne

 

[Sled Puller]

Who woke Piers up?

 

[TPCDrafting]

If you buy the stock gasket, buy it at a Cummins store rather than your local stealer. I bought the upper end kit and saved a little over $300 buying at Cummins instead of my local stealer.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Who woke Piers up?



The Man speaks!!! Hey buddy what's up, good to hear you on the board!



Jim (Gaskets... still on the stock one at 60 PSI)

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Since Louise and Kate were busy with the "Holiday Greetings" cards... . Piers has lots of spare time! :-laf



I've said it more than once... . and I'll say it again: If Piers doesn't have it, you don't need it.



Matt

 

[Piers]

Wayne, get your gasket from your local Cummins dealer. It's cheaper to buy the head gasket and exhaust manifold gaskets seperatlly than buying the top end kit, unless you want/need all the little extras that come in the top end kit.

Jim, I don't know how you haven't blown the stock gasket yet at 60lbs boost... . must be that modified big turbo doing a good job on building boost without excessive drive pressures... ... or your just plain lucky..... we won't mention where you keep your lucky horseshoe:--)

 

[J.R. Adkins]

Piers I hit 120 on mine!!:--)

 

[TPCDrafting]

Piers, Thanks for the Holiday card. Best wishes to you and yours. My wife asked me who that was, I just grinned and said, I must be a diesel head now for sure, cuz Double H said so! I look forward to more business with you in the near future.

 

[Piers]

JR, you hit 120lbs with your twins:--) What kind of rpm's were you at, I won't even ask what your pyro was reading, I don't think they make gauges that go that high.

How did the copper head gasket work out, did you get the oil seepage problem solved? Or at least "was" it solved.

120lbs man, you gotta go easy on me, I just turned another year older today, my heart won't take those kind of boost levels

 

[Brandon]

jr you must have found my lucky cutter bit... and the lucky wire

 

[willyslover]

must be a . 061 wire ... he would blow out . 041 LOL

now I want to see a pic of that gasket when it comes out !!

 

[J.R. Adkins]

Fellas,



I think that the set up that of twins that is on my truck is to small.

Im currently working on a "larger" set up with a waste gate. I have since added more fuel.



Piers,



No I have not fixed the oil stud seepage problem. I at the end of my rope with this. Looks like i will pull the studs and *********.

If you ever ride with me DONT let me lug the engine in 5th and nail it!

I wish you were a 1000 miles closer! LOL You could see this thing up close!



Brandon,



No I am about ready to go another route! I know some one that has hit more boost than me and has solved the head gasket problem. Looks like I will be paying them a visit.





J. R.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I went for a ride with J. R. back in Muncie.....



All he had was a mild setup with some lousy 370's... ...



The loose nut behind the wheel of that truck nearly scared the stuffing out of me! I'm sure that Merrick will agree... .



I have a liquid filled fuel pressure gauge that should be able to read those boost levels... . once I get there.



Matt

 

[Sled Puller]

JR,

Sounds like a screamer... . want to race?

 

[J.R. Adkins]

Gene I'll C'ya @ the pulls!

 

[jwilliams3]

J. R. Vs Sledpuller!!

Cant wait to see this





--Justin

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Gene has an unfair advantage... .



All that Amsoil that is making things work so smoothly creates less friction and so on.....



Matt