head gasket

[steveinaz]

if i unbolt the head on my 93 and prop it up say a half inch or so, will i be able to change the head gasket? or does it have to come completely off?

i have done this on cat and mack engines. but they have two 3 cylinder heads. thanks steveinaz

 

[CKnoop]

I would take it all the way off so you can clean and inspect the surffaces thats the way I did my 89 used cherry picker to pick up head very heavy just my . 02

 

[MMiller]

Why are you changing the h/g? is it blown, or leaking externally? In either case you really should remove it and check it for being flat, they do tend to warp pretty easily. One shop I talk to won't even put the head back on without milling it to ensure its flat. Its more insurance for a good repair. Like said above, getting it clean is necessary too. If your going to all the work to get the head up an inch or so, why not just set it on the bench for a few minutes??



Michael

 

[steveinaz]

did not want to unhook the injector lines or any of the elec/etc. will not be milling the head on sunday which i think would be a waste if you do not mill the block. and i'm doing all this because the coolant is leaking from the corner of the head under the t- stat.

 

[JKurley]

I just had a Cummins tech do mine on my 93. It too was leaking behind the t-stat cover, and when it was removed, it was flat in several other areas as well. Just a matter of time before it would've blown. The new one is much improved, and the tech said the gasket would outlast the engine. Why go to half the trouble like you're suggesting, and then find an uneven spot later? Might as well do it right- my . 02.

 

[JKurley]

P. S. I've done the edit profike, options, etc, and I can't get my truck profile up. Any advice?

 

[bgilbert]

Pay taxes on Election Day!

Looks like that is your 'signature'. You may have filled out the truck profile, didnt put any 'truck info' on the signature... . Bill btw Steve, I havent done a HG repair but from researching its just looks like a remove and put it back together job, not a tough job.

 

[steveinaz]

are the head gaskets known to be sticky or do they pop right off?

 

[CKnoop]

I think mine poped right off might have stuck in a couple of spots
I think it would be a PITA to leave the lines hooked up and lift up I have seen guys do worse and get away with it

 

[CDegner]

Having just done this, mine came right off, except for a few small spots. I would definitely recommend removing the head completely instead of just raising it up a few inches. That is just asking for problems. I would also recommend having the head checked for flatness. They do warp. Also have the exhaust manifold surface milled.



Just my $0. 02 worth.

Carl

 

[dpuckett]

I had my head checked, and it was within . 002" along the length. Didnt get the block checked, but it looked ok . I need a new head (besides the one dictating what i type here)- I haev the infamous cracks, but the guy at the machine shop said he'd seen worse go back on Case tractors and run another 4000 hours, so I just ran it. I plan to get a ported head this summer and go with a . 020 over HG. Then add fuel and air... ... .



it helps to have someone handy to help align stuff upon reinstall- I used a tractor loader with a hay fork attachment; didnt have anything as sophisticated as a cherry picker... ... .



Get it CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN- EVERYTHING- head, block, manifold surface (if you take the manifold off; you can leave it on if so desired). Then clean it again. Dont use any sealant; that gasket is self sealing. If I had it to do over, I'd also replace the valve seals, as they come in the kit, but it was late August in the swamp (95 deg, 95% humidity- Missery index of 190), and i was driving the car, and didnt want to wait another day to get the valve seals redone; esp when I'm getting a new head this summer, anyway.



Daniel

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Dan, unless you're planning on going to twin turbo's you should be ok to go with a . 010 gasket.

Even that will bepend on how much the head needs shaving... . normally though a ten over gasket is good to go.

BTW, if you can afford it, put in the 12mm head stud kit. That is really worth it's cost. .



pb.

 

[bgilbert]

Bob, anyone can ya shoot me a pm with the going rate on the 12mm head studs or a site to view them+ price? Thanks. Bill

 

[dpuckett]

Pastor,



I was thinking in terms of going all out when I get the money- i. e. keep up with CB's ambitions, so twins may be in the cards. I just want to do it once more, and that is with the new head, and some MACH2s to compliment it. Remember, I'll be towing heavy (10K trailer) at 5000ft+, so I'll need all the air I can get. I may just go to 350-400 hp. Hafta see when I get there. I was contemplating whether a head stud kit would be worth it. Might be a project for when I have to come back here in a couple months. Nice and hot by then. Maybe someone out there will have a shop... ...



-DP

 

[roadhawg]

Just as well o-ring, ceramic coat, 3 angle valve grind, port, polish, stud, and paint FLAME red while your at it



I did



Eric