Competition O-ring and fire rings

[TJSHOTROD]

What are you guys thoughts on o-rings and fire rings for a street truck. What are the pros and cons of both.



TJ

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I don't think there is anyone that has tested an O-Ring setup on a street truck more than me, my head is the same one I have been running since the beginning of 03' and I have had ZERO issues.



Jim

 

[Timebomb]

Mine is a fresh o-ring job and I only have about 4,000miles on it but with 3 re-torques so far Ive had 0 problems as well.

 

[Bandit1]

unless the motor is coming out of the frame i would say def for a street truck o rings are better for more reasons than one.

 

[JasonCzerak]

don't for get studs while your at it.

 

[Graphic man]

8 months with O-Ring and studs @50+psi of boost and running strong!!!

 

[BigBadDodge]

BigBadDodge, 4 years moderate sled pulling, single O-Ring no issues at all with head sealing



BBD

 

[Cummins724]

Just had orings done... . retorqued after 1000 miles & no problems. I am running 50psi daily & towing massive loads. I don't see a need for anything more... . they are great. Definately get the studs too.

 

[jvjump]

I have had mine for about a year. I had to re-tq after a hard run a few months ago but so far i am happy.

 

[RonA]

Single o-ring, . 010 over gasket, and ARP studs at 110ft/lbs. 65psi quite a few times over the last 3 years. No problems.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I would say if your running under 80 psi and say under 35 degrees of timing your fine with a single O-Ring setup! There have been allot of Fire Ring failures in the past and almost all are due to poor machining in head prep.



Jim

 

[CBrabec]

Not to sound stupid, still new to all this, but what exactly is the difference between "o-ringed and fire ringed?" Also, when does one know when its time to do either one? Thanks



Chris

 

[mclunas]

from what i understand the fire rings are copper rings in the head gasket which you have to have your head or block machined out. oringed head has rubber orings installed in the head and you gennerally use a copper head gasket

 

[TJSHOTROD]

Not to sound stupid, still new to all this, but what exactly is the difference between "o-ringed and fire ringed?" Also, when does one know when its time to do either one? Thanks



Chris

A o-ring is a small wire that can be machined into the head and the block or just the head. Fire rings are much thicker and need to be machined into the block and the head.



TJ

 

[zstroken]

Fire rings can be machined into one surface only. I think some of the shops are starting to do that too. Some of the failures I think are from the movement between the head and block and with two grooves the ring trys to hold them together.

 

[gitchesum]

O-ringing are thin piano wire rings that fit into a groove cut into the head. You use a stock head gasket when you use O-rings.



Fire rings are much larger rings that also fit into a groove cut into the head. They require a head gasket that has the factory rings cut out of them.

 

[FordCummins]

25k miles on fire rings cut into the block. One retorque on 12mm ARP studs after one heat cycle, 45psi boost and no problems so far.

 

[TJSHOTROD]

25k miles on fire rings cut into the block. One retorque on 12mm ARP studs after one heat cycle, 45psi boost and no problems so far.

No disrespect but you can hold 45 psi with stock head bolts. With ARP's you should not need o-rings or fire-rings.



TJ

 

[FordCummins]

Thanks, I was adding my input, thats it. I decided to build the motor first, then worry about feeding plenty of air to it. So when the money tree blooms again, itll get some twins and 65 or 70 psi of boost.....

 

[bluthndr]

Fire rings in the head, 12mm studs, 45 psi, 20* timing. Nothing but problems. Been through 4 gasket/ring sets now in a year. If I could do it over I would o-ring it instead. Going to 14mm studs in the spring to see if that will fix it, then add more fuel...