Now that I am almost sure it is only a blown head gasket, what else should I be looking at doing while its apart. Below is a list of my thoughts:

1) Flatten and O-ring Head
2) New Springs
3) Have the head ported
4) Put in a helix 2 cam
5) 12mm ARP Studs.

truck is at 180,000 miles, and I don't want to have to do this again anytime soon. Quite honestly, I would pay somebody if only there were any decent shops in my neck of the woods. So I wnat to upgrade what I can when I am in there.

 

thats a pretty good list maybe some intake porting and a zz fab intake.

 

Was going to have both intake and exhaust ported. Will look at the intake.

One thing I should add to the list, although not related to the blown headgasket is an oil filter relocation kit. Anybody know where to get that?
Really sucks changing the oil with twins.

 

Ya I was looking through the catalog at www.citydiesel.net and noticed the oil filter relocation kit you speak of...seems kinda pricey but I've never shopped for one...

Heres the link
http://www.citydiesel.net/24-valve-p...50.html?page=2

 

Just curious---how long did your headgasket last since the twins install. How much boost?

 

The guides, valves, and sets need to be adressed while you have it off.

 

The oil filter relocation kist would be sweet. Look at the FS2500 (I think). What about an AFE megacannon air intake?

 

I believe that AMSoil also has an oil filter relocation kit.

 

I'll look up the Amsoil. Didn't think about them.

The gasket lasted 2 months. I really don't know how much boost as I still have my 40psi guage in. It will be upgraded now that it is sitting in the barn. It was pegged at failure. I also found that when I had tied down the heat blanket that I had caught the wastegate actuator, so I am thinking that the boost was well over 50 psi.

I am very pleased at the condition of the short block. 180k and it still has good hatch marks from being honed. I havn't put a straight edge on it yet, I guess that will be the true test. The head will probably go to Poole to be ground, ringed, ported, and inspected. He said he would look at the valves when he is in it.

One thing that still bothers me is I can't see where the coolant was leaking out the back of the engine.

 

What options are there if you put the straight edge on the block and notice it is warped a little?