Head Gasket
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Good old Oswego.
Head Gasket
Hey Guys, I have a leaking head gasket on my 6.9. I should have the head off today. (I'm glad thiese engines come apart easy) When I got the engine, I installed ARP head studs in it. MY question is, when i get the head off, what should I look for that is causing it to leak? My guess is one of three things: cracked head, warped head, blown gasket. THese sound right? Can these heads be milled? I know that the only space between the head and the piston is the head gasket. Well, I've got work to do!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Did you follow ARP directions when you installed the studs?
Run up to specified torque a minimum of four times in steps, then remove them again in steps before you run them up to torque the last time.
By following this I probably wound up with almost 2 full turns more on the nuts.
The other thing, absolutely no oil contamination of either the head, gasket or block surfaces when you install them.
Very sparing application of moly assembly lube on the studs only before you torque them down.
Are you running a turbo?
How much boost?
Can you see leakage?
What are the symptoms you are seeing?
There are service limits on how much you can surface either the block or heads.
Run up to specified torque a minimum of four times in steps, then remove them again in steps before you run them up to torque the last time.
By following this I probably wound up with almost 2 full turns more on the nuts.
The other thing, absolutely no oil contamination of either the head, gasket or block surfaces when you install them.
Very sparing application of moly assembly lube on the studs only before you torque them down.
Are you running a turbo?
How much boost?
Can you see leakage?
What are the symptoms you are seeing?
There are service limits on how much you can surface either the block or heads.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 82
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From: WA
You should be able to tell where the leak is coming from one you have the head off by looking at the gasket closely. I just had mine off and even though I already new where the leak was coming from, I was able to see on the gasket where the leak was at.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 256
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From: Good old Oswego.
Yeah, I got the head off and can tell it is most likely the gasket. Dave, when I got the studs there was only a piece of paper giving torque specs and nothing that said the process. Maybe why the gasket leaked. I'm not running a turbo yet. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
What did you torque them to?
I followed the stock torque down pattern and used 4 steps at increasing torque setting for each install.
Then I removed them again following the stock pattern and removed them in 4 steps also.
Repeted that three more times before I did the final install.
That was one evening shot just getting the heads on.
But if you look at torquing them down 5 times each, that was a lot of bolts to torque down.
I followed the stock torque down pattern and used 4 steps at increasing torque setting for each install.
Then I removed them again following the stock pattern and removed them in 4 steps also.
Repeted that three more times before I did the final install.
That was one evening shot just getting the heads on.
But if you look at torquing them down 5 times each, that was a lot of bolts to torque down.
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