ARP Head Bolts/Studs

[Striper Mike]

I'm new to this 6.0 diesel thing. Admittedly depressed to read all the bad news regarding the EGR and Oil Coolers. As if that is not bad enough, I have read references to ARP Head Bolts/Studs. What's the issue with OE bolts or studs? Can someone please explain this to me?
Thanks!

[dazdillenger]

The OE bolts are TTY (torque to yield) meaning they were designed to stretch to obtain maximum clamping ability. What happens is they tend to weaken, and continue to stretch when cylinder pressures are high, causing the heads to lift off the block and blowing combustion chamber gases into the cooling system-adding a tuner only exacerbates the situation.

[Striper Mike]

Not knowing how the truck will be used in the future would you strongly recommend replacing with head bolts with ARP's at the same time I do the EGR and Oil coolers or wait and see if it possibly becomes an issue? Where do you find the ARP bolts? Approximately what should I expect to pay? How big of a job is it to get at them?
Thanks

[2006PSDSD]

IMHO studs are overrated in most cases. If the oil cooler plugs it starves the EGR cooler for coolant, and then it rutures, sending coolant directly into the cylinders. Liquids don't compress, therefore pushing out between the HG and block

[colo_dually]

I also agree that studs aren't a requirement on these trucks. Tackle them once the coolers go south.

The stock studs are TTY bolts, which don't hold torque well and stretch for a number of reasons (over boost, cooler failure, and camber pressure being high). ARP studs are hardened studs that will not show the stretching, therefore you can run hotter programming, higher boost, and less worries.

[Komatsu3816]

dealer mechanic that did my truck said he never has them come back even with stock bolts

[PowerstrokeTech82787]

Originally Posted by Komatsu3816

dealer mechanic that did my truck said he never has them come back even with stock bolts

hes fulla sh!t.

If its got a tuner on it, 3-6 months depending on how aggressive the tune is and how aggressive the driver is it will guaranteed to be back
If its powering a dumptruck tow truck etc where the engines being under excessive load constantly it will be back maybe 1-2 times in a year. (this is what i have seen with my own personal experience)

First dealership i worked at i started out doing 3-4 head gaskets a week, then got up to doing 2 a day. Cab off. providing the heads were within specs of straightness.

I always get customers to go for ARP studs. THEY NEVER COME BACK WITH STUDS. Stretch bolts shouldnt be used i can understand in aluminum head to iron block applications, but NOT for these.

[mcflan]

Originally Posted by PowerstrokeTech82787

hes fulla sh!t.

If its got a tuner on it, 3-6 months depending on how aggressive the tune is and how aggressive the driver is it will guaranteed to be back
If its powering a dumptruck tow truck etc where the engines being under excessive load constantly it will be back maybe 1-2 times in a year. (this is what i have seen with my own personal experience)

First dealership i worked at i started out doing 3-4 head gaskets a week, then got up to doing 2 a day. Cab off. providing the heads were within specs of straightness.

I always get customers to go for ARP studs. THEY NEVER COME BACK WITH STUDS. Stretch bolts shouldnt be used i can understand in aluminum head to iron block applications, but NOT for these.

I've been running over a year and a half with custom tunes...No problems. I pull 11k every 2 weeks and I still have yet to have a problem. I haven't changed to ELC, I've been using Gold and Distilled Water--granted, it could only be a matter of time... Just because you have ARP doesn't mean your block/gaskets won't separate. I've known and read of several people running and pushing trucks 700hp with stock bolts. Again, its circumstantial and it depends on the truck and the quality of methods. Be that as it may, I'm not one to jump on a bandwagon. I believe in protecting an investment, but if it ain't broke, why fix it. However much crap I may get, I've never had an issue yet.

[PowerstrokeTech82787]

Originally Posted by mcflan

I've been running over a year and a half with custom tunes...No problems. I pull 11k every 2 weeks and I still have yet to have a problem. I haven't changed to ELC, I've been using Gold and Distilled Water--granted, it could only be a matter of time... Just because you have ARP doesn't mean your block/gaskets won't separate. I've known and read of several people running and pushing trucks 700hp with stock bolts. Again, its circumstantial and it depends on the truck and the quality of methods. Be that as it may, I'm not one to jump on a bandwagon. I believe in protecting an investment, but if it ain't broke, why fix it. However much crap I may get, I've never had an issue yet.

Studs are preventative measures to protect your investment, not a band wagon. Right not broke dont fix it, but if its a KNOWN ISSUE why not prevent it before your up sh!ts creek without a paddle? If i owned a 6.0 even if i were to keep it stock id Fire ring the heads stock gaskets and do head studs. While id have the oil rails off id install updated dummy plugs and stand pipes. Also STC fitting. Investment protected like Fort Knox. EGR delete and IPR research oil cooler or bulletproof cooler, and coolant filter. There coolant system/head gasket issues solved for life. now that we've taken care of the top of the motor, the only thing to expect to see are injectors, injector cups, and maybe a hpop.

[mcflan]

Originally Posted by PowerstrokeTech82787

Studs are preventative measures to protect your investment, not a band wagon. Right not broke dont fix it, but if its a KNOWN ISSUE why not prevent it before your up sh!ts creek without a paddle? If i owned a 6.0 even if i were to keep it stock id Fire ring the heads stock gaskets and do head studs. While id have the oil rails off id install updated dummy plugs and stand pipes. Also STC fitting. Investment protected like Fort Knox. EGR delete and IPR research oil cooler or bulletproof cooler, and coolant filter. There coolant system/head gasket issues solved for life. now that we've taken care of the top of the motor, the only thing to expect to see are injectors, injector cups, and maybe a hpop.

You're talking upwards of 10k if someone doesn't do the work themselves. And again...the contributor has been the oil cooler and coolant, not the TTY bolts. There's no such thing as bulletproof. **** happens, you can prevent all you want, but nothing is iron clad. That's why in the past several months people have been reporting that Black Onyx gaskets aren't QC as OEM Motorcraft gaskets...