Head Gaskets

[ZachStack]

Alright guys...does anyone out there make a good performance head gasket for these ol IDI's? I am going to start building up my old 7.3 to make it handle more boost and make more power for my f350....

on a side note...
what needs to be done to bottom end?

im doin a new cam that will be .410" (From .379") on both the intake and exhaust
a new injection pump thats a .310" plunger rotor for peak fueling in a two plunger setup
bigger injectors and head studs
and of coarse a bigger turbo.

so...advise...lol.

 

[kc0stp]

IMO to reach the highest power levels these trucks have seen itd take head studs, camshaft, valve springs, lift pump, injection pump and turbo. Figuring you stud it the stock headgasket will hold along with stock injectors, no ones ever been able to damage the bottom end from power alone (hydrolocked, oil deprived etc have though)

 

[ZachStack]

IMO to reach the highest power levels these trucks have seen itd take head studs, camshaft, valve springs, lift pump, injection pump and turbo. Figuring you stud it the stock headgasket will hold along with stock injectors, no ones ever been able to damage the bottom end from power alone (hydrolocked, oil deprived etc have though)

what does IMO mean?

 

[Knuckledragger]

IMO = In My Opinion

 

[kc0stp]

yep and in all honesty I just put that there to stop all the debate, one of the guys making previously unheard of power in these trucks that's basically all he did to the engine and its still running strong

 

[ZachStack]

really? i just want more power for my soon to be towing rig. ive ordered new head studs so far. once my wife and I move into our house ill start ordering more.

 

[icanfixall]

I really would talk to Mel at Conestoga diesel about what you want compared to what you feel your getting from some other source. As for super head gaskets.. Nope. Nobody makes them. so we found that the Victor Rienz is the first and the Felpro is the very close second to that. Now some advice on head gaskets. I would install a set of 6.9 head gaskets in the 7.3. Reasons for this is they have a better cooling flow path. The 7.3 has some coolant ports plugged with freeze plugs in the block and the heads. They are located at the front and back bottom edge. A 6.9 block has a large triangular opening there but the head gasket has only sa tiny hole for the coolant to flow thru it. I have measured both the 6.9 and 7.3 gaskets and they are demensionally the same no matter the displacement engine size. Even the bolt holes are the same size. Also using some spray Hilomar sealant on both sides of the gasket will insure no leaks. I installed my Felpro head gaskets dry and still no leaks. Had I known bout the 6.9 & 7.3 gaskets being the same I sure would have used them but that was 7 years ago now.

 

[ZachStack]

I really would talk to Mel at Conestoga diesel about what you want compared to what you feel your getting from some other source. As for super head gaskets.. Nope. Nobody makes them. so we found that the Victor Rienz is the first and the Felpro is the very close second to that. Now some advice on head gaskets. I would install a set of 6.9 head gaskets in the 7.3. Reasons for this is they have a better cooling flow path. The 7.3 has some coolant ports plugged with freeze plugs in the block and the heads. They are located at the front and back bottom edge. A 6.9 block has a large triangular opening there but the head gasket has only sa tiny hole for the coolant to flow thru it. I have measured both the 6.9 and 7.3 gaskets and they are demensionally the same no matter the displacement engine size. Even the bolt holes are the same size. Also using some spray Hilomar sealant on both sides of the gasket will insure no leaks. I installed my Felpro head gaskets dry and still no leaks. Had I known bout the 6.9 & 7.3 gaskets being the same I sure would have used them but that was 7 years ago now.

thank you! im going to start getting things together for this rebuild. i need to get it all torn apart and redone. lol.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

what is your "end" power goal for this engine build?

 

[88 Ford]

^^^ This. Knowing your desired power will help you choose a turbo and how much fuel you will need.

 

[ZachStack]

well really anything more than stock. but like 250-300hp and 500-600ftlbs

 

[88 Ford]

Ah I see. A 90cc pump should be about to do close to what you are looking for especially if you add a better turbo and intercool it. That is a lil bit more work than bolting stuff on. With a turbo from the three that are available for these engines, it would be hard to hit those numbers, so I would recommend a better turbo system when you get it all together.

 

[laserjock]

I posted this link a while back.

http://bankspower.com/products/show/155/39

The dyno graph for the truck it is on shows 500 ft-lbs on what is essentially a stock truck. Would anyone like to weigh in on the BS factor here? Seriously, is the sidewinder that good by itself?

 

[icanfixall]

If you notice the language used it says "up to" so that means on their best test stand run engine with probably all the cold air they cold get to the intake they made that much power. I realy don't believe thats what the every day guy will get from his engine. Also that engine pictured is an early 6.9 and not a 7.3 engine. There is no tach sender. No coolany sender in the front of the drivers side head. No filter mount behind the alternater. A double v belt drive power steering pump. And a few other missing items like no CDR hose to the front cdr mount. They may have done this to brighten up the engine but I have actually been there and seen this engine.

 

[laserjock]

Yeah I see the up to. If you click in the "proof" tab, the ran it on a 93 2wd truck with 4:10 gears. That should be a 7.3 no? I have no idea what the engine pictured is. I was considering going and looking up the articles for the independent tests that are claimed in proof section.

Appologize for the semi hijack.