Head Studs, Rebuild Questions
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 61
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Head Studs, Rebuild Questions
Am planning to RR/rebuild '85 6.9l NA motor. It's my beloved work truck, 286,000 miles, obvious problems including ip/injectors, head gaskets, complete rebuild if it comes to that. Hoping that valve seals, headgaskets, bearings, cam and lifters will suffice, will have machine shop mic cylinders and decide from there. Have no intentions to turbocharge this truck, live/work at about 2,000 ft altitude in desert, use this truck for local work only.
Can appreciate upgrading to 7.3 head studs, but will require machine work on block, which I hope to avoid. DPS advertises head studs for 6.9l, apparently hardened studs, 7/16-14. Would this be sufficient for NA motor? IF the block needs to be bored, and new pistons, the larger 7.3 studs will be OK, but can save $1000 on job if it won't yield any real improvement. I certainly won't work it as hard as a snowplow. Would like to spend money on big improvements for the '86, which will be my daily/highway/heavy trailer/out of town truck.
This will be my first diesel RR, anything I should be on lookout for? Thanks for your help.
'85 6.9l NA dually 4.63 C-6 286,000 miles
'86 6.9l NA 3.55 C-6 DNE2 OD Flatbed 171,000 miles
Can appreciate upgrading to 7.3 head studs, but will require machine work on block, which I hope to avoid. DPS advertises head studs for 6.9l, apparently hardened studs, 7/16-14. Would this be sufficient for NA motor? IF the block needs to be bored, and new pistons, the larger 7.3 studs will be OK, but can save $1000 on job if it won't yield any real improvement. I certainly won't work it as hard as a snowplow. Would like to spend money on big improvements for the '86, which will be my daily/highway/heavy trailer/out of town truck.
This will be my first diesel RR, anything I should be on lookout for? Thanks for your help.
'85 6.9l NA dually 4.63 C-6 286,000 miles
'86 6.9l NA 3.55 C-6 DNE2 OD Flatbed 171,000 miles
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
You will need to get new head bolts or studs if you want the job to last. DPS has a very good reputation for the head studs. Remember to undo the heads in reverse order 1/8 of a turn per pattern circle.....
Engines are heavy 1000lbs so get a good crane and stand......
Email me so so I can lead you to a GREAT ARTICLE. CLICK ON MY NAME....
Engines are heavy 1000lbs so get a good crane and stand......
Email me so so I can lead you to a GREAT ARTICLE. CLICK ON MY NAME....
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 62
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From: Princeton, AL
Don't try to use 7.3 studs. They are 1/2" and 6.9 studs are 7/16" You'll have to bore and tap the block and bore the 6.9 heads. The ARP stud kit for 6.9 is $255 from Summitt Racing ($75 savings over DPS). Of course I think the ones Ken has at DPS are a little stronger. Is the extra Strength necessary? If you are not going to install turbo, then No. If you are going to install turbo, then I still say No, but it may make you feel better.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Princeton, AL
Originally Posted by Dave7.3
The head studs kit I saw advertised on DPS were $675 for 7.3l applications. I agree with tuckerd1, go with the ARP stud kit from Summit Racing for $255 if you don't plan to add a turbo...
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: South Dakota
Originally Posted by tuckerd1
DPS has 7.3 studs for $675 and 6.9 for $330.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 62
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From: Princeton, AL
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
I'd think if you're planning on staying N/A, plain old headbolts would work just fine. Shouldn't need the extra strength of studs since you aren't increasing the effective compression ratio to double what was intended.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
If you read the ARP specs, I think DPS is selling them at a good profit.
Summitt Racing, ARP head studs delivered to my door for 250 and change.
They are doing the job just fine in my engine at over 20 PSI boost.
220,000 pounds yield strength.
6.9 is 7/16" 14 UNC threads
7.3 is 1/2" 13 UNC threads
No room to tap the new threads into the block so they will stay since the threads per inch has to change.
Summitt Racing, ARP head studs delivered to my door for 250 and change.
They are doing the job just fine in my engine at over 20 PSI boost.
220,000 pounds yield strength.
6.9 is 7/16" 14 UNC threads
7.3 is 1/2" 13 UNC threads
No room to tap the new threads into the block so they will stay since the threads per inch has to change.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: South Dakota
Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
If you read the ARP specs, I think DPS is selling them at a good profit.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,585
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From: Duluth, Mn.
The last I heard, You could only get 7.3 head studs from Ken. He has them custom made.
I don't think he bothers with the 6.9 studs, because you can get them so readily from other vendors. From what I remember, the 6.9 studs are a common Ford stud size. Used on Taurus's, er something. They just happen to fit the 6.9
I don't think he bothers with the 6.9 studs, because you can get them so readily from other vendors. From what I remember, the 6.9 studs are a common Ford stud size. Used on Taurus's, er something. They just happen to fit the 6.9
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 62
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From: Princeton, AL
Originally Posted by fonefiddy
The last I heard, You could only get 7.3 head studs from Ken. He has them custom made.
I don't think he bothers with the 6.9 studs, because you can get them so readily from other vendors. From what I remember, the 6.9 studs are a common Ford stud size. Used on Taurus's, er something. They just happen to fit the 6.9
I don't think he bothers with the 6.9 studs, because you can get them so readily from other vendors. From what I remember, the 6.9 studs are a common Ford stud size. Used on Taurus's, er something. They just happen to fit the 6.9