Fordtechnician Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Since it seems like the factory bolts are stretching and the gasket not failing............Couldn't you just remove the head bolts...one at a time and install the ARP studs and it would work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony302600 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Yes. There is a detail instruction on some diesel mag site. What they did to get to the back ones is unbolt the trans mount and jacked up the rear of the trans...then they just put the studs in. I knew a guy that "replaced" head gaskets but i watched him do one head stud at a time...then clean off the gasket to make it look new....glad im outta that shop. But it worked...those trucks ran awesome and the owner was happier then shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 That is the worst idea ever, as far as I'm concerned (the one at a time thing) Also, there's a write up in that same magazine about WIPING OFF AND REUSING THE FUCKING HEAD GASKET! Personally, I feel that if you lose torque on a MLS head gasket at any point in the gasket, when it's re torqued, what's to say that something hasn't seeped between the layers of gasket, or the RA of the EXACT SPOT that you're compressing down NOW is the same as the RA of the spot that was on that gasket when you undid the head bolt. That made sense in my head, but it looks like shit, once I've got it written out. I hope it's clear enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown99 Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I have replaced lots of head bolts one at a time on these 6.0's as part of Navistars valve train update kit. The kit required the replacement of the rocker arm pedestal, push tubes, and rocker arm. They made it very clear that the coolant must be drained from the block prior to loosening the head bolt. You also could only do one at a time. I never had a problem with any of the engines afterwards. It has been a few years since the kits were installed with no known long term effects. I was waiting for the popped head gasket deal after the first few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I've never tried it - so I don't have LOTS of input. Just kinda theoretically, what I thought would happen - but from someone that's actually been TOLD to do it by the engine manufacturer. Thank you for your input sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARRY BRUDZYNSKI Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 +1 on Aarons reply. It doesn't make any sense to try to replace 1 head bolt at at time. Even if you drain the coolant there WILL be seepage that will happen when the torque is released and coolant or other contaminents will come into the space once clamped down to stop this action. You can drain all the fluids you want, but will still have pressure on certain cylinders that will weep into the area opened up. I'm sorry but we have to have clean surfaces to mate these problem children together. I wouldn't do it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbriggs Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I guess their theory would be that with no cylinder pressure, head deflection or warpage "should" be non existant, so if only 1 bolt removed at a time, the clamp on the head gasket may decrease but not actually go loose? May work in theory but i dont think i would ever do it. Any leaking gasket i have seen has burnt off the sealer, so then what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony302600 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I have replaced lots of head bolts one at a time on these 6.0's as part of Navistars valve train update kit. The kit required the replacement of the rocker arm pedestal, push tubes, and rocker arm. They made it very clear that the coolant must be drained from the block prior to loosening the head bolt. You also could only do one at a time. I never had a problem with any of the engines afterwards. It has been a few years since the kits were installed with no known long term effects. I was waiting for the popped head gasket deal after the first few. The only reason i don't think its a bad idea is because of this. Why not. I wont reuse head gaskets if the head comes off, but how would you be doing long term damage if nothing is being majorly disturbed. This is stuff i saw in the shop. There is a reason i left. And Aaron....when i meant clean off the gasket i meant take a wire brush and he cleaned the stainless steel tabs on each corner of the head gasket so if anyone asked if he changed them then he pointed to the newly cleaned gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Oh no - I'm talkin' this guy in the magazine had the head off, WIPED THE GASKET OFF WITH A RAG, and put it back on the engine!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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