To Fire Ring or O ring

[moremph]

I am debating on whether or not to get my head fire-ringed or oringed. The only reason i am debating is because i have heard that fire-rings do not last as long as orings.



I do not mind retorqing the head every few months or so. I would just like to fire-rings because they hold more, but if they are not as reliable then i will just oring it.



If you have your head oringed or fire-ringed then please let me know the good and the bad about both, and if you regret the decision and wish you would have done something else.



The truck is getting twins, and it tows our pullin truck every weekend, i was thinking fire ring for the times that i like to go and "play" and maybe even bump the timing up a little more than normal.



Thanks,

Chris





p. s. this is on a 98 12valve Thanks

 

[WDimig]

if done properly, not only do fire rings last longer, they hold more boost than orings. if going for all out max. boost, do the head, and the block!



wes

 

[Billywj]

do fire rings

 

[DPS]

You need fire rings w/ a stock gasket and good studs. this will be reliable on the road and track to about 80-90 PSI



Josh



www.dieselperformancesolutions.com

 

[PToombs]

I have heard of o-ring the block, what exactly is a fire ring? Or the difference between the 2?

 

[BigBadDodge]

I have had great sucsses with my PDR single o-ringed block at around 70-80 psi, going on my fourth season now



BBD

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Zero issues with a single O-ring in the head at 60-85 psi since the spring of 02' to present.



Jim

 

[ThrottleJockey]

An O-ring is a thin (Stainless Jim?) steel ring that actually seals itself with stud pressure on TOP of the fire ring of the headgasket you are using.



A Fire ring is a big mild steel ring that comes with it's own modified headgasket (the fire ring on the headgasket is waterjetted out) and these big rings provide a monster seal... .



... . ONCE ALL the retorques are done and the thing is actually compressed like, uh, you know, a headgasket. A lot of people install this set up and then put the boots to it without allowing the time for it to seal.

 

[PToombs]

Thanks TJ, always trying to learn!

 

[Huff N Puff]

Over 2 years on my fire rings

They are still holding strong,The precision of the machine work will be the factor that effects the longevity of the fire rings.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

PToombs



Yeah, me too. Supposed to be good up to 100 psi. What I want to know is how these pro tractor pullers hold 250 psi! :--)





A tungsten steel headgasket?

 

[sbentz]

We run a copper head gasket, and a . 041" stainless wire in the block. No issues at 85 PSI in the dragster.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Scott,



That's cool and that rail of yours moves NO DOUBT!



But jeez, 250 psi? Three friggin' turbos with the cold side ALL staged and the hot side plumbed up with two exhaust housings acting like a big charger and something like a Big Bro being your SMALL charger.



You sayin' custom copper with both an O ring AND fire rings?

 

[BPonci]

What wire protrusion do you run?

 

[BPINE]

If anyone wants a head gasket and fire rings I will let it go cheap. I have a 12 and 24 valve set that is doing me no good setting in the garage.

 

[Dockboy]

Thanks TJ, always trying to learn!

PToombs,



This is what fire rings look like



#ad




And this is what the ring looks like after it has been compressed



#ad

 

[Dockboy]

Oh... . and the receiver groove in the head



#ad

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Dockboy



They didn't groove my head. :{



I wish they did but they wouldn't.