A different head bolt question

[makaveli200369]

In gas race cars I know sometimes the bolt holes are enlarged and rethreaded in the block to accept a wider diameter head bolt. For more clamping power and strength.

Since 6.4 is based off 6.0 design and they went from an M14 to a M16 head bolt...is there any reason why the 6.0 can't go up in bolt size? Like using a larger ARP head stud.

Thanks

[2006PSDSD]

Even if you could, it would be cheaper to just go with the ARP's or H11's if you were really worried. Keep in mind that an unhealthy oil cooler will still cause issues even with headstuds

[mdub707]

The studs themselves are already harder than the block material, the stud isn't the weak point here.

[Arctic Fox]

Correct me if I'm wrong...
I think the real issue is that the engine was designed with to few head bolts, only 10 per side.

But going back to the OP question, with the 16mm head bolts (or studs) do the 6.4 guys have as much of a problem with leaking head gaskets as the 6.0's do?

[2006PSDSD]

Any HG will leak if there is water/coolant in the cylinders. The 6.4 EGR coolers pop too, so I'd say yes, the issue is there, just not as prevelent in the 6.4 as the 6.0

You just can't compress water, so having 20mm studs won't keep them attached any better if the coolers introduce coolant to the cylinders. The head bolts aren't the fatal flaw in the 6.0, it's the oil coolers

[a2elvis]

Originally Posted by 2006PSDSD

Any HG will leak if there is water/coolant in the cylinders. The 6.4 EGR coolers pop too, so I'd say yes, the issue is there, just not as prevelent in the 6.4 as the 6.0

You just can't compress water, so having 20mm studs won't keep them attached any better if the coolers introduce coolant to the cylinders. The head bolts aren't the fatal flaw in the 6.0, it's the oil coolers

Couldnt agree more. But I have seen these trucks STOCK, but with blown head gaskets, so it can happen. Its very rare, but Ive seen more than one. And yes the 6.4L have head gasket issues along with a whole bunch other. So eliminating the root problem is really the key to longevity!

[2006PSDSD]

But in those 'stock' trucks, it was the oil cooler that was the root of that evil, right? A truck doesn't have to be tuned to pop HG's, just needs to use the Ford gold coolant and have a plugged oil cooler to pop the EGR cooler, then HG's

[makaveli200369]

Sorry I didn't clarify I meant for use in non stock trucks. Like EGR delete and maybe using the oil cooler relocation kit from BD.

[a2elvis]

Originally Posted by makaveli200369

Sorry I didn't clarify I meant for use in non stock trucks. Like EGR delete and maybe using the oil cooler relocation kit from BD.

Yep preventing egr cooler and oil cooler failure can and will prevent future related failures. In the very few instances I have seen, stock trucks with head issues the oil coolers were good not great(10-15* spread). But i couldnt prove that the oil cooler caused the head problems. The EGR cooler at the time of testing did test ok.

[2006PSDSD]

I stand corrected Andrew