Getting ready to replace the head gaskets on my 04. I did them 8 years ago and its time to do them again. I reused the stock head at the time but i want to install oringed heads this time around. Who's the go to for oringed heads? And are ford gaskets still the way to go or is there something better now? Appreciate any help!

 

I have to ask a question, did you mill the heads at all before replacing the head gaskets last time?

If I had to replace my heads and wanted to-rings, I would be getting them from KDD.

 

I did not. I did check them with a machinist straight edge and they were well within spec. I had nitrous on the truck for a minute and I think thats what started the process over again. I do run the truck extremely hard towing weekly anywhere from 5k to 15k. And i have 1500lbs in the bed everyday and snowplow. I normally run a 60hp tow tune but had run race tuning on and off. Probably would have been better to have them milled to be completely sure. KDD is who i was thinking of but wanted to get some other opinions. Ive been driving for awhile with blown gaskets so i know the heads are toast at this point and always told myself if or when i do it again im getting oringed heads for sure

 

Do you remember the gap across the narrow direction?

In my view, that is the problem, and even 0.0005” is too much due to the deflection under load.

 

When you’ve got nothing else to do, here’s a video I did on my take.


Comparing the OE vs FelPro gaskets. Not all o-ringed heads can use the FelPro gaskets, you have to ask the supplier.


Looking at the contact improvement with flat heads.

 

I want to say one to one and a half thousand but it was awhile ago so not 100% but i remember it not being much

 

Appreciate it and will do. Im pretty sure i have watched some of your videos but i will definitely check these out!

 

Did you pulled the engine / liftet the cab when you have done the HG work last time?
Did you checked the flatness of the block deck and checked block deck surface roughness?
Did you installed the heads with bolts or studs?

 

I did not pull the cab. I did check the block and that was good. I dont remember the tolerance since it has been awhile but I do know it checked out ok. And I did use arp studs

 

The fasteners are really not the issue. Each stock TTY bolt clamps down at approximately the same as the combustion pressure at full load. So with four bolts surrounding each cylinder, the safety factor is 4:1. The issue is head deflection between the bolts. The earlier 7.3L dealt with the span issue with two more bolts per cylinder, as does every other diesel engine. International finally wised up with the 6.4L by adding stiffening ribs from the same four bolt locations to the center of the head. Eventually, KDD redesigned their aluminum heads, incorporating the same stiffening ribs.

I did use ARP studs because due to the prevalent thoughts, you can’t sell an engine or truck successfully without having studs. And for many, its added sense of security.

Again, the major issue is the deflection and warp across the narrow dimension of the head. The length dimension will bend down. There should be no gap across the narrow; its going to deflect under load. As I noted in the video, the thread on the org was filled with people who re-gasketed with studs and the gasket failure reoccured. Studs are not the fix.

 

And an owner (or someone buying your truck) can re-use the ARP studs if ever needed/desired.