Are head studs really needed on the 6.4?

DZL JIM · Oct 28, 2012

We just finished installing a new Ford short block in an '08 whose engine was totally worn out. Customer did not want to pay for studs. We've been talking with another customer about head gasket issues and he's not sure he wants to spend the $$ on studs either.

I know they are critical with the 6.0, but the 6.4 bolts are so much bigger than the 6.0 bolts. For a daily driver truck with just a tune and dpf delete, is it still a time bomb (like the 6.0) running stock head bolts? Or not really an issue for most trucks?

Thanks.

White_monster · Oct 28, 2012

Kind of a gray area. Tunes up to 210hp stock bolts are sufficent but there's still a chance of them not holding enough. Above 210hp tunes is pushing the stock bolts to the limit. Sure you can run them, lots of ppl do, and you could have no issues. Best way to put it is, does the customer wanna spend the extra $500 on studs now or do the gasket job all over again later on. Considering your customer already popped his hg's he should spring for studs. Hope this helps.

madman1234509 · Oct 28, 2012

I wouldnt risk not putting studs in, if its already due for a HG job. I google searched ARP head studs for a 6.4 powerstroke on google "shopping" tab, and found studs for 460. Also make sure the heads are checked because the area around the exhaust valves are prone to cracking which in turn can cause blown HG type symptoms.

Id try to get it through his head the reason the HGs blew. Either its a high mileage vehicle, or hes got it tuned and set on a power level that the stock bolts werent ment for.

drunk on diesel · Oct 28, 2012

when the cab comes off of my truck, it's getting studs

Fenner408 · Oct 28, 2012

I am waiting until my HG blow before I install them. I've ran 18k on this set up with at least 50 track passes, and haven't puked once ( knock on wood).

Smokyred · Oct 28, 2012

Jim, mine is going to get studded this winter, I don't want to take the chance the heads will lift. If I had a lift available it wouldn't be a big deal if I popped them, I'd just yank the cab when they went.

I think the factory headbolts can take a lot, but they won't hold for forever.

Dave

B585Ford · Oct 28, 2012

White_monster said:
Kind of a gray area. Tunes up to 210hp stock bolts are sufficent but there's still a chance of them not holding enough. Above 210hp tunes is pushing the stock bolts to the limit. Sure you can run them, lots of ppl do, and you could have no issues. Best way to put it is, does the customer wanna spend the extra $500 on studs now or do the gasket job all over again later on. Considering your customer already popped his hg's he should spring for studs. Hope this helps.

:whs:
Especially if it is a Job 1 or 2

FreddyM · Oct 28, 2012

Speaking out of experience, it's always better to spend the money now then pay for it later. I was able to run a 250 tune and see 45psi from 50-140mph
Multiple times before it puked a little....I knew it was coming just wanted to have fun till I had to fork over money for a mild build.