Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Head Studs and gaskets

[JohnBoy5]

As of right now I am running 40 psi of boost with stock injectors and a quadzilla adrenaline. I just did my first dyno pull Saturday 5/8/2010. I am going back this Friday because I think I can do a lot better by just changing the way I run it. I did not know that I needed to let the truck cost back down before I matted the peddle. I talked to the guy that runs the dyno and he also told me that he can run the brake on it a little to help me get more boost up. I pulled 383 hp and 710 torque at 2700 rpm. I was at 2300 when I started the pull. I now know that I need to get my rpms back down some to get some better numbers. Here is where my question comes in. I am going to put a head gasket and head studs in. I am going to buy the ARP p/n 247-4202 unless someone says different. Who makes a good head gasket for these trucks and what is a part number? Also can I put in bigger injectors before I do this and not have problems or do I need to stud the bock/head first? I was also thinking about having the head shaved some, is this good idea, and if so how much should I shave it? Any other advice would be great! I plan to step up to twin turbos next year so I would like to do this right the first time.

 

[Midnite]

Since nobody's posted any replies, I'll pitch in what little I can. I can't tell you much about head studs or head gaskets since I haven't played with that stuff. You can definitely do injectors before that though.

You might talk to some shops that do a lot of high power engine builds and see what they can tell you. BD, PDR and Enterprise Engine come to mind, but I'm sure there are others.

Mike

 

[JohnBoy5]

thanks for saying something. so you think i can put say 100, 120, or 150 hp injectors in and still run 40psi of boost and be safe? i will call a few shops about the head gasket. i thought about having it fire ringed but i think i have to take the engine out to do that and i really dont have the time or want to do that.

 

[Midnite]

Sure--as long as you limit the boost I would think your head gasket should be fine. You can play with your wastegate and Quadzilla to keep things sane.

 

[Sticks]

I'm running 100hp injectors, Edge Comp, and Source Automotive twins (stock over S400). I have yet to break 42psi at 5k' altitude (no dyno runs yet). By choice when I did the install, I opted to install the ARP studs with the OEM head gasket. Theoretically I should be good to 60psi. Prior to the install I was pulling 389hp & 892tq with Edge EZ, 80hp injectors and water/meth injection. Everything else was stock.

Studs are pricey alone, let alone a new head gasket. If you think you are going to breach the 50psi mark, I would at least put in some studs.

If you are going to pull the head to have it shaved, may as well get it O-ringed. Go big or go home.

 

[JohnBoy5]

did you pull the head off when you put the studs in? if not what did you do replace one bolt with one stude at a time? I am sure at about 800 ft of altitude i can break 60 pis pretty easy. with a single i am running 40 psi and i had to back the waste gate down and set my quadzilla to start defueling at 41 psi.

 

[Sticks]

I pulled the exhaust rockers, and replaced 1 bolt at a time in the OEM sequence for install.

 

[JohnBoy5]

Cool, thats what i was thinking about doing in the mean time till i figure out what kind of gasket to run and second if i need to maching the head any. Some people i spoke too told me that was a bad idea but i do not understand what it would hurt to put the studs in like how you did and i thought to do. I really am not looking forward to lifting that head off the engine. it just looks heavy and i dont have a cherry picker.

 

[JohnBoy5]

am i looking at the correct studs for my truck ARP p/n 247-4202 or do i need ARP p/n 247-4204?

 

[Joe Mc]

I would stud it if you're going over 50 - 55#, but not screw with the head gasket till you have to. It's been there a good while and why fix it if its not broken.

I'm still running the stock bolts and gasket that it rolled from the factory with almost 190k ago - knock on wood - of course I'm limiting myself to 45 psi via WG setting.

 

[JohnBoy5]

I will be getting studs, i am just not sure what set to get. do i need the bigger studs tha ti have to drill and tap or the ones that just fit... .

 

[SRadke]

Do not pull the head, replace one at a time. Do not shave the head unless you have to to flatten it out. This is not a gas engine, there is very little valve clearance stock and more compression is a BAD thing in a performance diesel. If anything you want to go with a thicker head gasket.

 

[JohnBoy5]

thanks for the info. Do you know what studs i need? how much boost do you think i can put on it if i change one stud at a time and do not pull the head...

 

[SRadke]

I don't know the part number but there's 12 valve studs and 24 valve studs. Anyone that sells them will know the difference.

A 24 valve with studs in a stock gasket I'd keep under 50 psi. Some fail even at that, others will hold 60.

 

[Joe Mc]

John it seems as if your main question is "what studs do I need". Get the standard ones unless you feel like pulling the head to do some work on the block "just" to get the bigger studs. Get the std ones and keep it around 50+/-.

 

[JohnBoy5]

Ok sounds like the standard ones will do the job. next year when i add the 2nd turbo what gaskets should i run. i was told the bd tow twins could push about 65 to 70 psi. i am not sure but i do not see my self reaching that. the turbo that i have now seems to want to make more boost then the 40 psi i am letting it. I am going to add the 2nd turbo for a few reasons 1st being keeping the intake air cool, 2nd to help burn all the fuel, 3rd the least important but nice feature everyone i talk to that has twins said the cab noise becomes so much less with a big exhaust system.

But aside from all that does anyone know what gasket to run for that kind of boost?

 

[Jason Griebel]

I have bd twins with 100hp injector can peg needle at 60 psi fairly easy I used arp studs and o-ringed the head with stock head gasket. After about a 25 step torque procedure on head no problems yet. Oh boy do I love my twins!!! Oo.



If you do a search on head o-ring you'll find how far to let the o-ring stick out of the head I can't remember the number we used on mine.

 

[JohnBoy5]

is there any machining that need to be done to the head to o-ring it? sorry i feel stupid asking but i need to know... .

 

[JohnBoy5]

ok after a little reading i can see that the head does need machining for this. sorry for the lame question i had... .

 

[rivercat]

dont go thicker, I did I put a . 020 over marine gasket and it sucks. It smokes more grey due to less compression and the spool is worse. Just put a stock HG from cummins using your engine serial. Then do the studs and keep an eye on valve lash.