Head gasket question

[wmoguy]

what is the going rate on a set of NEW head bolts?

IIRC when I did mine a year ago, new Head Bolts were around $450-500'ish. FWIW, the Standadyne & Bosch certified shop that did mine told me it was totally un-needed since they aren't TTY bolts. We ended up re-using mine. I don't wanna jinx myself and tell you how thats working out thus far.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

so after new bolts and washers i would only be about $130 less than going with head studs.

are studs worth the extra $130?

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

IIRC when I did mine a year ago, new Head Bolts were around $450-500'ish. FWIW, the Standadyne & Bosch certified shop that did mine told me it was totally un-needed since they aren't TTY bolts. We ended up re-using mine. I don't wanna jinx myself and tell you how thats working out thus far.

are you regretting re-using your old bolts now?

 

[The Warden]

so after new bolts and washers i would only be about $130 less than going with head studs.

are studs worth the extra $130?

IMHO absolutely yes.

I know some have recommended that you re-use the original bolts, but IIRC Mel's article spells out why that's not the best idea even though they're not TTY...again, I know that finances are an issue, but if you're planning to keep the truck long-term, you will thank yourself down the road for using studs.

Just my $.02...

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

yeah if i don't talk my dad into studs then i will at least go new bolts.

 

[wmoguy]

are you regretting re-using your old bolts now?

Nope

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

how much boost you running with that new turbo Jeff?

 

[idi_econoline]

...... I can say, Dad's will always give their opinion on stuff like that no matter how old you are.

Well said, Heath. I remember my first mechanical project with my buddy (trans swap on a Chevette!). My beloved, late father waited until we had it 95% apart, then came out and asked "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

I didn't, but my buddy did. The same buddy who's helping me (read: I'm helping him) with my 7.3 head gaskets in recent weeks, decades later.

I try to not even think about what Dad would think of my van....

 

[wmoguy]

how much boost you running with that new turbo Jeff?

Been as high as 24. I'm burning very clean at 12-13 psi so I'm out of fuel. Anything more than that's just asking for damage or bragging rights (or both. Lol)

FWIW I ran the same turbo you have for about a year and up to 15psi countless times without studs. My thinking is the prep of the heads and precise work plays a big part in it holding together so far.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

Been as high as 24. I'm burning very clean at 12-13 psi so I'm out of fuel. Anything more than that's just asking for damage or bragging rights (or both. Lol)

FWIW I ran the same turbo you have for about a year and up to 15psi countless times without studs. My thinking is the prep of the heads and precise work plays a big part in it holding together so far.

thanks. how many miles on the bolts?

 

[wmoguy]

thanks. how many miles on the bolts?

About 40k? Maybe a little less don't remember exactly.

 

[wmoguy]

thanks. how many miles on the bolts?

About 40k? Maybe a little less don't remember exactly.

Honestly if you are pulling the engine to do the head gaskets. Without a doubt do studs (provided you are keeping the pickup a while)

Timing of when I needed the pickup back and that my headgaskets where done in frame (and it looked like a royal pita to do studs inframe)

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

engine is gonna stay in frame. i highly doubt i can get my dad to do studs.

so you only had 40K miles on your head bolts when you did HG's and re-used the bolts?

another question: do the exhaust manifolds HAVE to come off?

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

i can get the head set, and intake gasket from rock auto for $134 shipped to my door. i am just scared that the HG's will get messed up during delivery. RA is by far the best deal.

just getting hg's and intake gasket from autozone will be more than a complete head set and intake gasket from RZ. add another $10 for valve cover gaskets from a-zone.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

what did you torque your head bolts down to Jeff? factory specs?