Just blew new Ford head gaskets with ARP studs.

[DZL JIM]

Our '04 shop van is pushing coolant pretty good now. Almost 2 years ago we did the heads (pressure tested and machined flat at 110,000 miles) and Ford gaskets, and installed 4202 ARP head studs. Just like we've done on lots of trucks.
This past spring we added 190/100% injectors, Barder Stage-3 turbo, tuning, etc, and not even a couple thousand miles it's puking good. Dynoed at 560 hp, so it's nothing compared to a lot of you guys.

What's the recommend fix now?
What have you guys found to be the real issue? I'm sure I'm not the first one to see this.
Stronger head studs?
O-ringing heads?

If it has to come apart again, I'm thinking o-ringing heads is most cost effective cure-all solution.
Input appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[JGman141]

If you want to go all out get o ringed heads and use arp 625 studs, or if you want to save some money you can reuse the current studs with the o rings.

 

[TBagAMouseTrap]

I had the same issue with 190s and a barder stage 3. Made close to the same power on the dyno. I see your in ne Ohio, I'd check how close beech is to you and have him o-ring heads for you.

 

[4.0l sahara]

Oring/extreme studs. Also make sure the block is flat.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

O rings and 625s from amazon. If that doesn't work lol oh well

 

[Magnum PD]

Get an engine that has 6 studs per cyl....

 

[TyCorr]

Get an engine that has 6 studs per cyl....

He does. This is an inquiry into how to hold together a different motor.

Jim is no dummy.

 

[suprdzlduty]

Hey Jim, I woukd look at the block surface as said...also, headwork...i know you've done a lot of them but on higher horsepower engines it does come into play. Let me know if i can help. Like said above...Jim is no dummy!

 

[Magnum PD]

Jim is a great guy, not arguing that. Just believe the lack of enough studs was a big design flaw.

 

[bigrpowr]

O rings and 625s from amazon. If that doesn't work lol oh well

Amazon ? Way to support the people that support the industry.

 

[TyCorr]

Amazon ? Way to support the people that support the industry.

I noticed that lol

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

No one can match that price. You're stupid if you spend near 500 extra dollars on studs when you can type in another URL to save that much. I support the industry, so dont worry about that. I even ask Dennis make me a fuel system even though he doesnt sell one, he did it with out question. A fuel system is easy to piece together.

I dont really see where you're going with it... Plus Im sure people "bargain" shop all the time... They just act cool on the interwebz

Dont derail his thread, if you wanna talk about it PM me.

 

[bigrpowr]

Dont derail his thread, if you wanna talk about it PM me.

Don't even think of trying to tell me what to do here . I'll derail anything I want. You derailed it when you told a guy to go to amazon. I wonder if Amazon will explain torque sequence over the phone too?

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

haha. ARP will explain that no problem. oke:

 

[DZL JIM]

Thanks for the info and suggestions.
All of our heads are as flat as anyone can possibly machine them.
We'll look at the deck when the heads are off. Any tips on good way to check deck flatness?

Thanks.

 

[Derek@Vision Diesel]

Thanks for the info and suggestions.
All of our heads are as flat as anyone can possibly machine them.
We'll look at the deck when the heads are off. Any tips on good way to check deck flatness?

Thanks.

Precision straight edge and a flashlight has worked well as a simple process. Snap-on sells a high quality straight edge that we use in the shop.

On top of it being flat, the process used to prep it is much more crucial on a truck planning to run a larger VGT.

 

[Powerstroke214]

Amazon ? Way to support the people that support the industry.

Don't even think of trying to tell me what to do here . I'll derail anything I want. You derailed it when you told a guy to go to amazon. I wonder if Amazon will explain torque sequence over the phone too?

Both reasons that I have not and will not buy chit for my truck on there, or any other similar shop. The prices may look nice, but never has a big name site(that I've hardly interacted with) seen me struggle on my first turbo swap on a Sunday morning and offer to help, and even invite me to call if I needed.

So I'll stick to dealing with PEOPLE, not just a website.

 

[MINK]

Thanks for the info and suggestions.
All of our heads are as flat as anyone can possibly machine them.
We'll look at the deck when the heads are off. Any tips on good way to check deck flatness?

Thanks.

It's nothing new to see the heads plain fail...I would bet you have atleast one head with a significant crack.

 

[DZL JIM]

It's nothing new to see the heads plain fail...I would bet you have at least one head with a significant crack.

The crack will allow that much pressure int eh cooling?
We've never had an actual head issue here in the shop, I'm glad it's on my own truck and not a customer's. And I'm sure we don't work on nearly as many 6.0 as many of you guys do.
Those heads were original to the truck with 110k, I have a set getting prepped now with 98k on them. Hopefully they check out OK.

Thanks.