Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lost a head gasket!....O-ring gave out!

[Cummins724]

I was in Maryland today on Route 219 on my way to Oakland & smelled oil burning. Pulled over at the nearest pull-off & the engine was covered in oil as was the underside of the truck. When I shut it down the oil pressure gauge was at around 30psi idle. I checked the dipstick & level was below add. I had to call in a tow truck to haul it home & after filling it up with oil... . I started it & noticed the oil running out the front of the head. Pulled it apart & the gasket was blown out on #1 cylinder. The oring was smashed almost completely flat on #1. I am going to get a new gasket & orings tomorrow & was wanting to know which gasket is working best & procedure for install... . Please help!

 

[16919]

Ouch... . I guess that super stock 62, really is super!!!! LOL Good luck with the repairs.

 

[Cummins724]

I only been running 50psi boost... . sometimes see 55psi, but the orings are suppose to be good for 80psi. It really sucks, but had the head off in 2 hours & hoping to get the parts & reinstall tomorrow. I just can't believe that it gave out. Anyone know how far the Orings should stick out from the head?

 

[Cummins724]

Anyone know anything about doing the orings? I would really appreciate any advise at this point.

 

[MHagen]

Anyone know anything about doing the orings? I would really appreciate any advise at this point.

Sorry now help here but I am also interested in this. Do you stud it also or just o ring it. If anybody has pics of this Id love to see what this set up looks like. I put stock headgasket in cause I was told it wast neccicary with my mods.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I only been running 50psi boost... . sometimes see 55psi, but the orings are suppose to be good for 80psi. It really sucks, but had the head off in 2 hours & hoping to get the parts & reinstall tomorrow. I just can't believe that it gave out. Anyone know how far the Orings should stick out from the head?

There are a few different ways of doing the O-Ring job. Most run a . 041 wire with 10-12 thousands protrution and a marine gasket from Cummins. Some use a . 051 wire with the same Protrution, mine is a little different as I run 18 thousands protrution with a . 051 wire and have had no issues at all for 4 years and say 70,000 miles (a guess on miles). At the beginning I ran at 65 psi (70 drive pressure) all the way up to 85 psi and now at 60 with 2 stages of spray.



Jim

 

[Jetpilot]

Pretty much what Jim said..... The marine gasket is actually a 12v gasket so it will need to be punched to fit a 24v engine. Also be sure that a stainless steel wire is used, copper wire is too soft and doesn't bite the fire ring well. If you have any more questions please feel free to give me a call @ 717-557-7060.



Doug

 

[Forrest Nearing]

there are guys running . 015" +, but I think about . 010" is as much protrusion as you probably want/need if it's a driver. my rings have . 008" protrusion.



the KEY is to be confident that protrusion VARIATION is kept to a minimum. if you've got one ring or one side of one ring that's holding the rest of the head up, it can be bad news

 

[GOT-Torque]

Whats the difference between the marine gasket punched to work on a 24V and a good ole stock cummins gasket for a 24V?



Forrest, is Alvin anywhere near Angleton, TX? I'll be down that way next week for work.

 

[AFarmer]

The newer 'standard' head gaskets for the 24 valves are thicker than what they used to be. I made the call this time to go back to a stock gasket to compensate for other things but I'm pretty sure both will work well.

 

[GOT-Torque]

Hey Gus, I saw your turbo for sale in the classifieds. Whats next for old Red?

 

[AFarmer]

Got a brand new set of twins - just got the piping yesterday!!! Exhaust manifold, both housings and the hot pipe were dropped off to the high temp coated yesterday and dropped everything else off to be powder coated in red - of course. This trucks gonna have brand new and different everything - even getting different gauges.

 

[Cummins724]

I think about . 010" is as much protrusion as you probably want/need if it's a driver.

I just went to have my new orings installed & noticed that the wire was crimped a little too much & that is where it blew out. I have . 010" protrusion & the wire that was used before was . 041..... stepped up to . 049. Of course it is stainless.

Most run a . 041 wire with 10-12 thousands protrution and a marine gasket from Cummins. Some use a . 051 wire with the same Protrution, mine is a little different as I run 18 thousands protrution with a . 051 wire and have had no issues at all for 4 years and say 70,000 miles

Jim

I bought the stock 24v cummins head gasket Jim. I have to finish the job by Monday & noone had the Marine gasket near me. I'm hoping that it will workout. The #1 oring had a flat spot in it from the brass hammer where it blew out. This time the ring has been double checked & no flat spots detected..... The pattern in the head gasket looked perfect except that little spot on #1.

 

[Cummins724]

Well... we are gonna start on it at 5-5:30pm ET & hoping to get it done tonight or atleast tomorrow morning to finish the job. It just depends on how many beers we start putting down before then... . wish me luck! Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Forrest, is Alvin anywhere near Angleton, TX? I'll be down that way next week for work.

as a matter of fact, it's only about 20-30 miles north of Angleton

 

[csutton7]

yep a flat spot on a ring will cause a problem----when we cut my grooves back in '01 or '02 we used the following formula I got from the internet from a prominent engine builder---his recommendation was as follows:



the groove should be cut with a bit . 002" smaller than the wire and the depth to 66% of the wire diameter---if you get chatter when cutting the groove it's best to change bits--he also noted to be careful to not get flat spots in the wire---good luck------chris

 

[Cummins724]

Well got it installed & fired it up about 8:30 tonight..... antifreeze all over. Torqued the gasket to 140lbft. & after the leak... . rechecked the studs & they were loose again. How many times are you suppose to torque the gasket before it seals? The antifreeze is coming out all the way around the head.

 

[ctd8999]

When I install my head I let the engine get up to temp 180 - 190. Shut it off and let it cool for 5 - 6 hrs. then retorque to 126 ft lbs. Then after a couple of weeks retorque again. I also relube nuts/washers with ARP lube every retorque. Thanks Steve B.

 

[Cummins724]

I didn't lube the nuts because they already had oil on them, but I was told to torque to 140lbft. I did it in increments... 50lb, 90lb, 120lb, 140lb, but by the time I got them all torqued down in sequence... . the first bolt was really loose. I went back over them 4 times & then fired it up. I need to get my truck running tomorrow so that I can make sure it is good to go by Monday for work. Any more help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Cummins724]

Well... . found out that my torque wrench is bad. I got a new Proto & bolts turned about 2 turns more & it now holds pressure in the radiator, but I still had air bubbles in the front of the head. I am letting it cool down now & going to check the torque 1 more time in a few hours. I had to pour some concrete today & didn't get home till 4pm ET. I called the guy who cut the protrusions in the head & told him that his guy said . 010. He said that they are . 026 & that kinda blew my mind! I think the truck may have to come apart..... this time he is gonna do it. I'll have to see what happens after the next retorque.