I ask because as my deadlines approach for a Head/Cam for my twin set up I need to make a mid term decision. Since AFRs might be a while I need something to get me through. The main reason, other than flow possabilities , for wanting the AFRs is the deck height. The last thing I want to risk is lifting a head. Who has lifted one, what has caused it, and what could have prevented it. At what point is it a serious concern? Hell, for that matter, what are the right set of questions more me to be asking

 

I have a 4.8L truck at the shop that lifted it's Heads.11lbs of boost out of a Radix kit.Had ARP studs ,ARE 5.3 liter heads,stock GM gaskets,224/224 .580 lift on 114...They lifted at 1/2 track and pressurized the coolant system.Switching to Cometics and upping the torque 10ft/lbs and see how it holds.

 

Not good. Come on AFR! Maybe just some LQ9 ported w/ low boost until the AFRs come. Come on, share the war stories...

 

The truck was running around 10-1 compression and probly lean at the time.My tuning was for 8lbs and his single 2 1/2 exhaust.After he added duals and the 11lb pulley,but never came back to check the tune.So it could of been lean.

 

Blew a head gasket a WOT on the street at about 5800 and when the head gasket blew it took part of the head and block with it. Wasnt a big piece but destroyed the head and block. I was running 11 pounds on a 4 psi tune so it was my fault and i was way lean.... pulled the heads and the pistons were perfectly clean nor carbon buildup at all and the plugs were green. I should of known better....... this time complete fuel system and tuning from the getgo with a cog setup almost maxing the headunit so i know ill be alright. Ill be using head studs and MLS head gaskets this time around. i dont know if it was the 98 head or what but on the 98's they have a small indetion that goes almost to the chamber on the #6 cylinder and thats were it blew.... weakest part of the head. I wonder if that part can be welded and then resurface the face of the head. I post some pics later.
Kyle

 

i had my heads blow out and ruin the mating surface, no biggie if you have a compatent machine shop. they can weld it up and resurface it.

 

1dirtyZ,
Ill get my buddy to host the pics fo rme and ill post them and let you guys look at them and see if you guys think the block is salvagable or not.....im going with a new block anyways because i had three cracked ringlands in the and it scored one of the sleeves pretty bad.
Kyle

 

I too was going to wait it out for the AFRs due to their thicker decks for head gasket sealing. But after realizing that most of the problems wth heads lifting was due to the tune, I went with a set of 6 litre heads O ringed by TEA, with ARP studs and a FAST engine management system.

 

How much more do they charge to O-ring the heads and shouldnt you O-ring the block also?? What head gaskets do you guys use?? Head studs will be used. Does O-ringing help that much more? Thanks
Kyle

 

I have TEA o-ring'd heads. I had to go to a graphite gasket over the stock MLS type. Graphite is the only type that will work. I didn't have to get my block o-ring'd. I think they charge $175. It's a .041" stainless wire that's embedded into the head.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. So it was $175 for the TEA to O-ring the heads and who did you get the gasket from and how much?? oh and what bore size are you using. Thanks
Kyle

 

I got the gaskets from Fel-pro p/n 9199PT. I have the stock bore size gasket, which I think is 4.030, but not 100% sure. GM also makes a graphite gasket for the 6.0L, but I don't have that p/n. It was used in the older 6.0L trucks.

 

So what gasket can i use for a 3.905" bore?? Can i use tha gasket? What other gaskets are there with o-rings in them i can use for my setup?
Thanks
Kyle

 

FelPro part number 9284PT is for 5.7L (graphite style)

 

Thanks Todd for the quick reply....i guess no weather guessing today at work huh?? Not like E-8's dp that much anyways....... just kidding. On another note. PSJ called me on that issue dealing with a certain member. PM me

 

I am running 16lbs of boost (on the dyno sofar only) with ARP Head Studs and 72cc LS6 Heads. My CR is 9.67. Am I at risk of blowing a head gasket or lifting the heads on the street??? I am using the 2002 MLS Gaskets as well.
Thanks

 

16psi, I hope you have a good fuel system.

 

16 PSI is what i am shooting for also. It just keeps adding up. PSJ ill shoot you a PM later about some of the info you wanted.
Kyle

 

So far just an LPE in tank pump and 50lb fuel injectors. At 16lb of boost my Air/Fuel was 12.5. I know people say that the Air/Fuel on the dyno is richer than on the street, but it is my understanding that if the fuel tables are 0 that that doesn't apply?
What do you think?

 

12.5 on the dyno is leaner on the street. I think that's on the edge.