What Head Gasket do I use?

[btsb032304]

So basically I have an 04 f250 that needs another set of head gaskets but I dont know which way to go. So for a little about the truck. its an 04 (early build 9-17-03). 4 inch lift, 35" tires, crew cab short box. I run powerhungry backdate ecm/pcm, php ficm tunes, swamps 58v ficm, sct live wire with php tunes. The egr is deleted, has the 100mm waterpump update. when the heads were done at the dealer about 3.5 years agp they put new heads on with arp studs and updated ford gaskets. at this point I am looking for the best option so i dont do this again. I am running a stock turbo at this point with stock injectors but would like to change them for bigger better ones but dont want to worry about blowing head gaskets again. I have thought about using the black onyx/diamond ones, hypermax gaskets or should i do a fire ring? suggestions on where to go would be much appreciated.

[ZMANN]

don't think about BO gaskets or there diamond ones again

OEM or RCD has just gaskets they are sworn to be made on the same line as OEM but just a different color for patent reasons

[btsb032304]

OEM makes me nervous as I have blown two sets now one with studs

[onebadcoastie]

What caused the gaskets to go this time? 99% of the members here will recommend the OEM gaskets and I concur with that. BPD did a thread where they compared the differences between the Ford gaskets and the VRBO. I'd stay away from those. I'll look for that link for you.

[btsb032304]

Dont know what caused it this time. Have no heat keep getting air in coolant. I consistently get bubble in the degas bottle when the truck is running

[onebadcoastie]

Here's that link about the gasket comparison:


Victor-Reinz/Black-Onyx Headgaskets, Why IMHO they fail

[ZMANN]

you can use all the right parts and not have the due diligence done on the heads

so they may be warped ,or cracked

[btsb032304]

Well the heads on the truck are new/reman loaded heads from ford. But anything is possible. At this point I just want to fix it the best way possible so I van have a peace of mind.

[lawnguy130]

Definitely OEM gaskets are your best bet. Did you ever have heat? Have you always had bubbles getting into degas bottle? I would have the heads checked and possibly resurfaced if need be BUT by a reputable shop that knows about the correct tolerances. If you cut too much off then the valves need to be recessed or cut as well otherwise they will hit pistons, I've seen this happen before by a guy that got heads and block decked but nothing done with valves and bang bad things happened. Also it is imperative to use the assembly lube with the studs also otherwise you get false torque readings. And not to bash on anybody, but some dealerships work off of flat rate and guys just slam stuff together.

[Tuscany]

Originally Posted by btsb032304

Well the heads on the truck are new/reman loaded heads from ford. But anything is possible. At this point I just want to fix it the best way possible so I van have a peace of mind.

99.99% chance that the new heads weren't 100% flat when ford got them and they just slapped it together before getting the heads checked. It has been common knowledge for quite some time now that even BRAND NEW heads from ford are out of flat and need to be surfaced. That is most likely the reason you blew the OEM gaskets again even with ARP studs. Either that or the guy who did it prepped the block surface wrong or poorly. OEM gaskets with ARP studs is the way to go.