head studs without removing the head?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
head studs without removing the head?
I want to put a programmer on my truck but have held off because i dont want to blow my head gaskets. my truck had the turbo replaced in january because it was letting oil into the exhaust side of the turbo. they ran a compression test on all cylinders and buz tested the injectors. all cylinders were even on compression.
so my question is! has anyone just pulled the factory head bolts out one at a time with out breaking the seal on the heads and just slid a stud back in and torque them back down? is this even possible?
my reasoning is why pull the motor all apart if your still producing even compression? with no leaks or signs of failure? Would this be realistic or am i just dreaming?
so my question is! has anyone just pulled the factory head bolts out one at a time with out breaking the seal on the heads and just slid a stud back in and torque them back down? is this even possible?
my reasoning is why pull the motor all apart if your still producing even compression? with no leaks or signs of failure? Would this be realistic or am i just dreaming?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, fl
I want to put a programmer on my truck but have held off because i dont want to blow my head gaskets. my truck had the turbo replaced in january because it was letting oil into the exhaust side of the turbo. they ran a compression test on all cylinders and buz tested the injectors. all cylinders were even on compression.
so my question is! has anyone just pulled the factory head bolts out one at a time with out breaking the seal on the heads and just slid a stud back in and torque them back down? is this even possible?
my reasoning is why pull the motor all apart if your still producing even compression? with no leaks or signs of failure? Would this be realistic or am i just dreaming?
so my question is! has anyone just pulled the factory head bolts out one at a time with out breaking the seal on the heads and just slid a stud back in and torque them back down? is this even possible?
my reasoning is why pull the motor all apart if your still producing even compression? with no leaks or signs of failure? Would this be realistic or am i just dreaming?
The second problem I see is to tight them up right after you put them in. There is a 3 step tightening process, 80-160-245 lb/ft. The factory bolts tightened to - I'm not even sure - but if you would do it the way you mentioned, there is no way the pressure on the head will be even, and there, you already damaged the "old" gasket.
And third: You have to pull most of the parts out to do the studs the way you "dreamed" of - just like you would if you pull the heads. The new gasket cost like $60-100, and you end up an extra 2 hours of work. Why not replace them? You have the cab off or motor pulled already, I mean if you would do it your way?!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 1
i agree with both the guys above^^
but i did want to say that i have read about people that have done this and it has worked.
now i would not do it if it were my truck but you could take your chances. also i heard it's really hard to torque one of the back studs because there's not enough room to get the wrench in there.
i have no personal wrenching experience all my work was done at a performance diesel shop.
but i did want to say that i have read about people that have done this and it has worked.
now i would not do it if it were my truck but you could take your chances. also i heard it's really hard to torque one of the back studs because there's not enough room to get the wrench in there.
i have no personal wrenching experience all my work was done at a performance diesel shop.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
Its been done, but its not recommended. That being said, I think it can be done without problems, but I'll wait until I blow a gasket then I'll lift the cab and do a bunch of other mods at the same time.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, fl
So the main question was to replace the bolts with studs without pull the head...
There is no question that it could be done. But without lifting the cab, or pull the engine? No way! I have my personal experience with head stud job, and I can tell, that you have to pull one of them (cab/engine). And if you are there --- why take chances? From that point, it doesn't make any sense not to walk the road all the way....
There is no question that it could be done. But without lifting the cab, or pull the engine? No way! I have my personal experience with head stud job, and I can tell, that you have to pull one of them (cab/engine). And if you are there --- why take chances? From that point, it doesn't make any sense not to walk the road all the way....
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: north carolina
I don't mean to steal the thread but Iwas thinking the same thing - replacing the head bolts without pulling the heads.
If it is a must to lift the cab is there a detailed preocedure on what to do to lift the cab? I want to review the procedure to see if want to do this myself.
Thanks
If it is a must to lift the cab is there a detailed preocedure on what to do to lift the cab? I want to review the procedure to see if want to do this myself.
Thanks
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 44
From: Tooele, UT
it shouldn't be that difficult if you take your time and do it right. there are a lot of wiring harnesses that need to be disconnected. but if you get some masking tape or something and mark numbers on each side of the connections so that you can match them up when you go to put it back together it's much easier.
here is my question.....i too am sorry for hijacking the thread.........but does anyone know if performance shops would be willing to let me help do the work when i get studs put in my truck so that i can learn more. i'm not looking for a discount for me helping, i will pay their full price, just want to get to know my truck on a more intimate level
here is my question.....i too am sorry for hijacking the thread.........but does anyone know if performance shops would be willing to let me help do the work when i get studs put in my truck so that i can learn more. i'm not looking for a discount for me helping, i will pay their full price, just want to get to know my truck on a more intimate level
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: north carolina
I have never jacked up a cab before, how high does it have to go?
Do I need to disconnect :
Fuel lines
radiator hoses
transmission lines
steering shaft jjoints
Transmission shift linkage
AC stuff
Brake lines
Has anyone done this before and documented the procedure?
Do I need to disconnect :
Fuel lines
radiator hoses
transmission lines
steering shaft jjoints
Transmission shift linkage
AC stuff
Brake lines
Has anyone done this before and documented the procedure?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, fl
Well, in the shop they lift it up high, so they can walk around the engine area.
In my opinion you have to lift up as high as it sits at a level that is comfortable for you to reach engine and work with the heads.
I did my studs, I pulled the heads, new gaskets of course , and I did it without pull engine, lift the cab. IMHO, the turbo area was a PITA, but I would do the same way again if I have to. It is hard, but pull the cab isn't easy either. The time so spend to pull the cab - you already at the heads if you just dig in. But I definitely would take off the hood.
In my opinion you have to lift up as high as it sits at a level that is comfortable for you to reach engine and work with the heads.
I did my studs, I pulled the heads, new gaskets of course , and I did it without pull engine, lift the cab. IMHO, the turbo area was a PITA, but I would do the same way again if I have to. It is hard, but pull the cab isn't easy either. The time so spend to pull the cab - you already at the heads if you just dig in. But I definitely would take off the hood.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: W. Philly Burbs
Dcaddi2, I have a link saved where you explained how you did your heads without pulling the cab or engine.......Are you saying you wouldnt recommend doing that again for mechanical problems, or just the PITA factor?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Sarasota, fl
Everyone has to make that decision on they are own, but what i meant - even some of the job was a PITA, I would do the same way again- no cab lift/ no engine pull. I don't really see that I've had any mechanical problems, and the PITA factor? Just think/read about how much work you looking for to disconnect and pull the cab...
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Nashvegas TN
There is a local shop here that told me they would replace the bolts with studs for around $550 + $studs, and if the gaskets went later that they could reuse the arp studs when they did the gaskets. Has anyone heard of that before?