Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Replace head bolts??

[blacksheepdiesel]

My friends '95 has a coolant leak, apparently outside the head only, not getting into the oil YET. Should the head bolts be replaced when installing new gasket? And which gasket to use? Did a search on head bolts, didn't find much.



TIA,



Trent

 

[RM]

head bolts

i did a head gasket on my 96 and was worried about the head bolts when i saw in the book a gauge for measuring them so i bought all the bolts. when i pulled the head i measured them all and found absolutely no change in length it was a waste of about 80,bucks if i remember correctly as for the head gasket i just bought a kit at a peterbuilt dealer for a 12 valve and it worked perfectly. ron

 

[CumminsPower98]

If he gets a complete head gasket set from Cummins it will come with a head bolt gauge to check them for length. I did a head gasket job twice on a '97 and the bolts were ok both times and it is holding fine. They will probably be ok. If the head is ok and doesn't need to get shaved down then he would probably be best using the stock thickness gasket, but if he is going to be pushing a lot of boost then a thicker one would be better.



Mark

 

[CumminFast]

Everytime my headgasket blows it gets new headbolts. Well now I got a stud kit, but I would most definately get new headbolts if I were you. Enterprise sells them for like $100 I think.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I reused the head bolts a couple times with no problem. As long as they come up to torque quickly, they are fine. I torque them to 115-120 ft lb in 4 steps, 30, 60, 90, 115, 115-120. Head gaskets are 3283335, 7, 9 for stock thickness, +. 010", +. 020".

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Thanks Guys!!!

He went ahead and got new head bolts. The Cummins dealer has the standard thickness gasket but not the over sizes. He said it will take 2 weeks to get an oversize gasket in. Definitely can't have the truck down that long. Any sources for the oversizes???



TIA



Trent

 

[Sled Puller]

Piers or Enterprise, Scheid, prolly a dozen others.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Two weeks ... . Is that shipped by mule train?... . Have they heard of Fed Ex or UPS.