nothing wrong what so ever with the oem gaskets.

 

I would go back with the OEM gaskets without hesitation.

 

One more question before I head down to Ford for the head Gaskets -

Injectors - they are all new, but I put them in and torqued them down and have now taken them back out. Do I need to replace the copper gaskets?

 

Holly mother of (Can't say) - Ford Head Gaskets - $224/kit - FOR EACH SIDE!!!!

Anyone have a less expensive alternative than the Ford Parts Dept?

 

Yes, you need to replace the copper gaskets. I would not have a problem with the o-rings but some might squeal about that.

$224 per side for gaskets???? You need to try a Navistar dealer. Did you find your interference problem???

 

Navistar quoted me $288 - He thought that was for both gaskets, not one but it does include the bolts whicih I do not need.

Fords quote of $224 was for a single gasket but it also includes the stand pipe, bolts, rocker carrier and turbo gaskets - not sure about the copper injector gaskets though.

Interference had to have been the head gasket or the new lifter hold down that I put in. I oiled the insides but it was a tight fit getting it over the 4 lifters - Apparently it is a new design where the insides are no longer flat, but have ridges, I guess to let better oil flow along the sides of the lifters as they are moving up and down - eveything is moving fine now, but will make sure it is still moving fine after initial torque

 

Since the pistons don't/shouldn't protrude above the block it should not have been gasket interference.

I don't think you get the copper washers with the head gasket kit. You can use 7.3 injector washers. They are a little thicker and allow for a tweak more torque. I usually go to 28 as advised by my injector builder. Just make sure you have the oil out of the hold down bolt hole or they can "hydrolock" and give an incorrect torque value.

 

Thanks for that advise on the hold down holes.

So the 7.3 injectors have the same size tip, just a thicker washer?

 

That's what I was told they were from by an EXTREMELY reputable injector builder. I thought maybe they would be more available to you than having to buy all the kits again.

 

So finally got new head gaskets (FORD KITS $161 each), and getting back to putting her back together, again, and I was thinking, I had the heads cleaned, and in doing that removed the rocker carrier. So both heads look the same.

The question is, would it make a difference, since I did not have them decked or new valves, which side they go back on? Is there a way to tell which side they WERE if it does make a difference?

 

Isn't the ebp sensor in the head. That should be on the drivers side towards the front of it.

 

Driver side exhaust manifold...

 

Ah I couldn't remember even though I just had mine out last week

 

Well not sure if you can tell or not. The fuel plugs were in when I got them back and I know they go in the back so going at it from that perspective. If anyone has any other way of telling, let me know.

 

this is the correct awnser. the fuel plugs go in to the back. the heads are interchangable anyway.