Who has blown a head gasket?

[Cummins Corvette]

I am wondering what I have to do in order to blow a head gasket. The idea is to avoid this as I thought I did and it scared me. I still want to go way up in power, but the cost and time down with this is not worth it.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Here's how to blow a head-gasket:

1) Exceed maximum safe EGT's repeatedly... that could weaken the fire ring around each cylinder.

2)Loosen up the head bolts... that'll do it in short order.

3)Run your engine coolant temps WAY hot... . always check coolant levels and replace the coolant at the recommended intervals.

4)Run LOTS of boost!! High combustion chamber pressures = head gasket problems.



Jokes aside:

I think under normal circumstances, the head gasket is pretty strong. We're lucky... the 6BTA is a damn good engine... they hold together really well.

Keep the boost/fuel reasonable and keep the EGT's down... and I think you'll be all set.



Matt

 

[JJW_ND]

I and several others with 94 - 97 have had the head gasket fail in the area around the Thermostat. This was on stock trucks, usually with around 100K miles. I have not changed mine yet. Have over 80K miles since leak started. Probably add about 1 gallon every 20 - 30K. More when pulling hard, almost nothing when driving empty. Dozens of oil analysis test confirm the leak is external only.



As has been mentioned, the gasket is revised (Marine?) when replacing.



jjw

ND

 

[BPINE]

I had the same coolant leak as mentioned above, and the updated gasket also addresses many other problems with the gasket as well. I think there were 6 changes within the gasket. Other than that I have had no problems and I run my EGT at 1300, boost 38+ and water temp at 210+ for up to about 15 minutes at a time while pulling the oversized 5er as fast up hill as I can. So far 70k on the truck.

 

[SmokinCummins]

Hey CA what's up man..... I've been running my truck at over 40 psi of boost for a while closer to 50 and I havent' had any head gasket problems at all. . If you ever do blow a head gasket go to the . 02 thickness ours in are automotive application is a. 01 thickness the . 02 thickness is a Marine application. . oh yeah while your that far throw a Marine cam and Pistons in it too it'll only take ya a few extra hours for a lifetime of enjoyment!!! LOL see ya guys...

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Thanks all. I haven't blown one as I already mentioned, and I want to keep it that way. I am just trying to avoid this mess.

 

[MY6EATSV8'S]

I blew one with max boost(40+) on a dyno turning a vapor lpg(turned up about 10 turns) on with Nos and to much timing(24degrees). Made 607hp the first time, but I had to do 2 times in a row. The second time made 590hp and sarted spilling coolent out the side. No Gas escaping, but coolent. Joeseph Donelly moved my timing back to 16. 5 and I havn't had a problem since.

Thanks Joe.

 

[sewman]

I do some sled pulling is 16. 5 the max for timing if you want to save the gasket?

TIA,Bob

 

[DHRA]

I blew mine with too much pressure on the LP. Oil in the radiator, big mess.

 

[MY6EATSV8'S]

I couldn't tell you what timing is the max. Mine was desided to be left at 16. 5 because I use drugs(lpg,no2)

I do think timing should be cosidered a tool to tune what rpm you want to run at. It goes up as rpm does for max torque #'s do as well. Stock is somewhere around 12 degrees, the smoker tractors run around 54degrees but leave the line at around 6000rpm.

basically its desided by whoever you want to listen to.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

54!! degrees of timing??!!

Whoa momma! Someday.....



Matt - trying to calm myself after reading that bit of diesel insanity.

 

[Strick-9]

I can now add my name to the list of head gasket failures. Mine failed at the Texas Rally this weekend. Unfortunately, I don't have some exciting racing story to accompany the failure. I made a run to fill up with diesel and when I returned, coolant was literally pouring out in the area of the #5 and #6 cylinders.



My recipe for destruction was 19. 5° of timing and a 70 HP shot of propane. I've been running this combination for nearly a year now, but I guess that was too hard for too long.



-Chris

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Well, now we know how far we can take 'em to the ragged edge.....



Matt