Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ignorance

[Wyomingcowboy]

Please forgive my ignorance, but can someone please explain to me exactly what you are talking about with o-rings, studs, fire-rings? By studs I imagine you are talking about ARP and I'm pretty sure I know WHY you do these things (so you don't blow head gaskets at super high boost psi) but I'm not real clear on WHAT exactly they are.



Thanks

 

[DFleming]

As far as studs are studs either from arp or A1. o rings are a groove cut in the head and a thin wire is put in the groove and all of the water and oil passages are sealed with a stock head gasket. I don't know about fire rings maybe some else knows. Oo.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Well, to get down to basics, your head is held on with bolts. Threaded on one end and has a hex head on the other. Studs are threaded on both ends; you use a hex wrench to thread one end into the block, and the other end sticks up. You put your head over the studs, then thread on a nut and torque.



Studs are typically higher quality than head bolts, and have a higher tensile strength. I believe the clamping force of studs is higher than a comparable bolt also... basic enough? Haha



If your truck is daily driver, Id go with o-rings. Ive heard they last longer than firerings. Never ran either so I cant really give a first hand account. I think it has something to do with heat cycles...



Ive been reading alot recently about studs popping, and its been every manufacturer. But they are a necessity so you dont lift the head off the block.

 

[GDMRTN]

Fire-rings are a very heavy metal O-ring placed in special cut grooves (usually head and block) and a factory head gasket is used with the metal compression ring taken out. That's where the fire ring resides. Clear as mud?!?

I wouldn't recommend fire-rings for street use. I have them and it's cool but not neccessary. They are also very prone to leaking small amounts of compression into the water jacket. NOT COOL. I have done this twice now. Am currently on the third gasket/fire-ring. Holding well so far.

O-rings are much better for street. It uses the factory head gasket and just has the wire laid in so it puts more pressure on the factory compression seal. Real nice and easy and not as expensive to replace if anything happens. I have this in my 4bt. 60psi boost no problems... yet.
This is all probly clear as mud on stained glass, but it's the best way I know to describe it.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

What could I expect to pay to have the head o-ringed?