My observation of the head gasket problem is from the outside and wanting to fix my truck right. It seems that when someone combines 1) bigger than stock turbo, 2) inter-cooler 3)20lbs+ boost the head gasket is the sacrificial lamb. I've read lots of these type of threads, here, Ford Truck Enthusiast, and Diesel Bombers, of people claiming failure (remember Abull?), maybe there was exaggeration involved, but I believe that Sean is an all to often 'exception' that I'd like to prevent at the get go.
The real point is how many people would want a higher tech option? My hope would be that a listing in this thread would indicate your interest that we can then refer manufacturers to.
Calls are still being returned on gaskets but there only seems to be 2 current manufactures of head gaskets for our trucks.
1) Felpro, composite,steel core, with rubberized coating. AutoZone warranty 1 year. installed in 4 steps to 87lbs on the 6.9 trucks and 110lbs for the 7.3 trucks
2) Victor Reinz, Graphite, Steel core, Silicone sealing lines between all types of passage ways. AutoZone warranty 2 years. Thickness is 2mm or about .078 and compresses to 1.1mm or .043 inches. This is the direction I'm leaning as the carbon fiber fills and compresses to a uniform layer. VR and Hypermax both use for high performance headgaskets
Seems the torque ratings are based on the max strength of the bolts. 1/2 grade 8 max 112 ft/lbs, 7/16 grade 8 max ~90 ft/lbs. VR at their Commercial truck web site
http://www.reinz.de/pictures/39-00330-01_CHG-Commercial-Vehicles-e-lowA4.pdf says that an angle set to load instead of ft/lbs on a torque provides sets with 10% off of target. A torque wrench using the pop setting for the final set is of by as much as 30%. ARP says the same thing and that is why the require 5 or 6 steps to get to final set.
I think the problem levels might be associated with the engine as there are different torque levels for each based on 7/16 and 1/2 inch bolts. ut I have seen posts on 7.3 head gasket problems also. Might be much more important to stud the 6.9?
Corteco was sold to Rol 3 years ago, ROL Gaskets was sold to DC Gaskets in Mexico, a year ago. HKS only offers Japanese gaskets. DC Gaskets do currently have a carbon fiber gasket with a stainless fire ring, based on the FMoCo 93-94 original. They have no dealers in the US right now but are working to get a distributor in Texas and to provide an English version of their web site. The searches I've tried have all come back in Spanish. Their phone is 877-676-7704. Freddy Meyers transferred from ROL and has provided some good info. They may be willing to produce a custom gasket for us. Show your interest!
I did speak to an industrial gasket manufacture from New Jersey (Victor Rienz materials licensee) who indicated that they could do something like a Phuzon gasket in MLS. Because there would be some initial guinea pigs, he said he might waive the development costs but there would have to be some resolution as to design criteria. Thickness, type of rings, number of layers would all have to be specked out. His name is Peter T and I invited him to take a look here to gauge interest from us.
The $3500+ development cost from Cometic seem even more annoying after hearing the description of his process. 1)scan current example of the gasket or head into printer program, 2) edit the bit scan to clean up the corners 3) 'print' the gasket on a lazer cutter using the type of material specified 4) apply type of fire ring, 5)send rtv sealant with gasket to finish both sides of anti freeze holes.
He seemed motivated when I suggested Cometic would charge $350 for a set of MLS and $700 for a set of Phuzon (these rings are a product of another company that Cometic are putting in their product) gaskets.
Just some comments from the designers/ engineers about what types of head gasket do what.
-Composite with the soft coating is for engines that are not being rebuilt and have the greatest ability to cope with out of true surfaces. the AutoZone warranty of a year seems to tell a story.
-Carbon fiber compress into the imperfections and were on the 7.3 factory turbo motor. This is what VR makes and sells.
-MLS or Multi Layer Steel are good for complete rebuilds where decking heads and block can insure no more that .002 inches out of true. Surfaces that are not parallel put different loads on the solid surfaces in the gasket that promote failure. These can vary in thickness from .015 all the way up to .180. Might this be a way of lowering compression also? Someone know the way to figure how much compression is lost with a thicker gasket?
