Hello everyone! I hope this finds you well. I'm rebuilding a 7.3 that I've got and I'm thinking about using head studs instead of the oem torque to yield bolts. I've actually already purchased the bolts, but the longer I think about it, the more I'm thinking I should just use studs afterall. I'm not going to do anything crazy, crazy, but I do plan on trying a few things with it such as propane injection and/or water meth. So, I guess I want to be prepared just in case I do decided to be a little more creative. Ha!

That being said, I just started looking into ARP head studs. Needless to say they are not cheap....at all!!! Does anyone have any alternatives to ARP brand head studs? Certainly, they can't be the only players in the head stud game. If so, are they any good? I don't want to throw good money after bad on this project. Should I just bite the bullet and buy the ARP brand? If so, does anyone recommend a good vendor that will offer a competitive price?

Finally, I know this question will sound very, very stupid to you veteran out there, but is there any kind of sealant or additive that I need to apply to the block and/or heads when put the head gasket in place? I'm assuming it's like a gasoline head gasket that requires nothing, but I only want to do this once.

Thanks guys!!!

 

$600 is too expensive for head studs? I put a $450 balancer on my truck.

You may need to realistically check your power goals and levels. You only really need them when surpassing about 450rwhp it seems.

H1 used to make studs, unsure if they are still around.

 

 

In case your going to do it:

https://arpinstructions.com/instructions/250-4201.pdf

 

 

Ah, good to know. I remember when I had a 6.4 they were making them, then stopped. Something about ARP buying them out? But you cannot believe everything you read online.

Many guys ran those as ARP's torque spec was something nuts, around 250lbft, and were cracking blocks in the valley. Once guys started backing down to a lower spec, cracked blocks disappeared...but random cracked pistons did not.



Will the head lift at 30psi on a stock size turbocharger? I have seen 27-28psi a few times and I have a weak HPOP and stock injectors.

 

irate says when hitting 40 PSI boost or over stage 2 injectors
https://www.iratediesel.com/irdie/pr...head-stud-kit/

 

 

Phew, thanks guys. I was starting to worry a bit there.

 

Knotty's Irate link says to torque them to 135. ARP says 125, huuuummmm, I wonder if I should retorque mine?

 

Id believe arp more than irate.

 

 

Oh nope. Sorry for confusing. 6.4s seemed to split pistons at random. Unrelated to ARPs

 

While I have mine apart do you think I should check the torque on my head studs?