Archived Head Gasket

[patrobertson]

Lost my stock head gasket. Trucks a 96, 215, #11 plate all the way forward, guages, straight piped, and 17 degrees of timing. My highest boost reading was 40 psi. couple of weeks ago. I know some guys have done it themselves which is what I am looking at because Idon't have the money to pay someone else. I've worked as mechanic and swapped engines, but I have some questions with how to get it in and out seeing that it weighs 150+ pounds? Question is was the boost too high or the timing too much for the stock head gasket?



Thanks ahead of time.



Shane Robertson



Anybody know a good shop in the Ogden Utah area?

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Just did mine a few weeks ago. A lift to get the head in/out makes it real manageable for 1 person. Other than that it just takes some time to do. The more prep/cleaning you do the longer it will take, but the chances of a good seal on the new gasket are better. You might think about replacing the head bolts while you are doing the job.



Can't help with the boost. Mine never went above 34. I had a minor overheat a year ago that probably was my largest contributing factor.



I have heard that 96 gaskets are prone to failure.



Good luck. I feel your pain.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The marine gasket has superceded the regular, and seems to take care of the failures. . A year or so ago i posted in the 1st gen forum some info on changing the head. you might call Ken Jones in your area (his phone number was just posted today on another thread, Utah head gasket topic. I could help you too, but am in the las Vegas area.

 

[patrobertson]

How much do a set of head bolts run. My head has never been off but I am looking for what I should do since I have it off. Should I get valve seats done? Trucks fairly young. 174k some towing but nothing huge.



Shane