Dont mean to high jack with this question..
But im planning compounds for the future and thinkin id like to see around 60 lbs boost..

Would I need to do O-rings and studs? Or just studs.

And what about head gasket?
Is stock one fine as long as I have good studs? Or is that also where O-rings/fire rings would come into play?

Good thread by the way.

Ian

 

60 psi is border line for the stock head gasket and studs. I would run it that way until it goes. Then oring the head. You have to ruin a head gasket anyways, so you might as well get in a good kill.

Protrusion is the amount of wire sticking out head surface. Most people use the 0.042in wire into a 0.039 groove. I like the 0.008 protrusion, some like the 0.012in protrusion. I would run arp's 625 on the 12thou. I ruined five head gasket last year, but I was pushing mid 80's for boost. This year I'm still on one. I changed up my parts combo, so I'm not running the big power and have to use my truck for work more this year.

Last year we hardly had any diesel up here in Alberta, ya the place that where most of the north america oil comes from, and there was no diesel Only a few fuel stops had diesel.

 

What will happen when head gasket goes though?

Could that cause any other damage? Or is it more like.. Oh blew the gasket, put a new one on. No big deal really?

And do o-rings while im at it.
Is the gasket replaced with a stock one? and studs and o-rings will make it work?
Or is there a heavy duty gasket that could/should be put on with the studs and o-rings?

 

Depends. You gonna shave the head and make sure the head is true? The worst case is that you need a tow truck to haul you home is the gasket is totalled. The worst thing happen to me is that the head gasket when I was towing my RV last year. I just used the stock head gasket. If you shave the block, go with the over sized head gasket, to keep the compression ratio at near stock. I ran 70psi for years with no issues. 80+psi, I had head gasket issues. I only ran 125ft*lbs on my studs and ran 7thou protrusion

 

Depends where it fails.
Outside - leaks coolant down the block
Inside - Coolant leaks into cylinder and the oil and oil level climbs.
Not good if you take a while to notice.

If you have another vehicle, driving till it goes is ok. if you need your truck for work, everyday, I would do it right the first time.
Pull studs, remove head, deck it, check valve wear and check for cracks... put it together using the marine gasket (.020 oversized).
That way, you know your head condition and are set to go!

Your choice.

RJ

 

Oh no no, I'd much rather do it right and well the first time as my truck IS my DD and work truck.

So correct me if im wrong, When it comes time for compounds and bigger sticks...
Head studs, o-ring, Check valves for wear, and replace gasket with the Marine (oversized) one.

Then I should be good to handle 70 lbs boost with no worries right?

Where does port and polish'd head fall in in the mods list. Is that a very big deal when lookin for 600 hp with 1/4 miles on the weekends?

 

Port and polish will improve air flow, and therefore HP. Not needed for 600 hp.
IMO, it does weaken an already somewhat fragil head (suceptably to cracks). If you have the time, some minor polishing can be of advantage but full porting and polishing is living closer to the edge than I wanted to go.
A little NOS is a lot easier to deal with.

In sure some will disagree. All this is just one mans opinion.
.

RJ

 

I got ya Rowland.
Thats kinda what I was thinkin from what ive heard about it and the people I know thatve done it.

Sweet thanks all for the info.
Great thread.