has anyone actually put head studs in???

[04 lariat stroker]

i n eed some info on head studs,,,has anyone actually done it without pulling the cab or the motor...the stock gaskets are junk, especially when i get over 4000 rpm's and 40 pounds of boost...i know people have heard this or that but i need to talk to someone who has acutally done it...thanks

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by 04 lariat stroker

i n eed some info on head studs,,,has anyone actually done it without pulling the cab or the motor...the stock gaskets are junk, especially when i get over 4000 rpm's and 40 pounds of boost...i know people have heard this or that but i need to talk to someone who has acutally done it...thanks

i can tell you how to do it.....ive never put the studs in, but i did do one headgasket job in the vehicle......the biggest problem you will have doing it yourself is to do it in the vehicle you have to take the evaperator core housing for the A/C out...which means your A/C has to be evacuated and recharged....but i can give you the skinny on how to do it....Marc

[04 lariat stroker]

that would be cool...i need to do somthing because the stock gaskets arent worth a ****...can you take the heads off when the cab is still on and everything and if so, what are the biggest challenges in doing so?

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by 04 lariat stroker

that would be cool...i need to do somthing because the stock gaskets arent worth a ****...can you take the heads off when the cab is still on and everything and if so, what are the biggest challenges in doing so?

they can be taken off with the cab on, although it is a pretty tight fit. if and when your actually going to do this, ill give you my number so i can go over everything with you verbally so as not to forget anything. the biggest challanges are first to take that evap core housing out.....and then you must take the turbo, valve covers, intake, fuel filter housing and lines to the heads, etc off.....the heads are held down by 10 big bolts and five smaller ones....you will be re-using the small ones and replacing the big ones with the studs. you will probably need to put the head on, and then put the studs in as the head will not have enough room to slide down over the studs if they are installed first....i gotta run, goin out do dinner for that company sponsored holiday.....but let me know if your gonna try it........Marc

[MYSTICSVT]

Do you think the studs could be installed without removal of the cylinder heads or replacement of the stock gaskets? For instance, on a new truck with low miles. I'd rather have the studs installed before it needs head gasket replacement. Will the stock gaskets take a lot of boost with studs?

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by MYSTICSVT

Do you think the studs could be installed without removal of the cylinder heads or replacement of the stock gaskets? For instance, on a new truck with low miles. I'd rather have the studs installed before it needs head gasket replacement. Will the stock gaskets take a lot of boost with studs?

if it was an 05 or 06 with low miles, i would say that it would be a possibility, but the right hand ones are gonna be tough....the whole A/C evaperator core housing has to come out for head removal and would also have to come out if you tried to just do the studs. the newer motors have a thicker gasket and the gasket is not the failure point anyway....so it would probably be fine, but untill tested, i can not say for sure.....either way to do it in the vehicle the A/C has to be evacutated and recharged.........Marc

[Rodslinger]

I've got a couple questions;

First is there a cut off date or a way to tell if my '05 has the newer style gaskets? Second, if the things blow on me and I take her in if I ASK them to install the studs (my cost on the studs) will they as just a normal part of the warranty work since they're in there anyway? AND third, if I decided to install the studs myself, before I have a problem, what will that do to my warranty IF I blow a gasket a few months after the install?

Thanks!

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by Rodslinger

I've got a couple questions;

First is there a cut off date or a way to tell if my '05 has the newer style gaskets? Second, if the things blow on me and I take her in if I ASK them to install the studs (my cost on the studs) will they as just a normal part of the warranty work since they're in there anyway? AND third, if I decided to install the studs myself, before I have a problem, what will that do to my warranty IF I blow a gasket a few months after the install?

Thanks!

your 05 should have the thicker gasket. basically the studs are all on you. they will make an aftermarket modification at the block. if you have a really good relationship with your dealer, you MAY be able to get them to put the studs in while they are doing a head gasket job under warranty, but at that point, any head gasket failure would be on you. that is the only part of the warranty that it would affect, but your warranty would not ever cover the head gasket after the studs were put in. the other negative to having the dealer do it is then they know your planning on chipping it, and that gives them something to look for on future repairs....Marc.

[k_davis695]

Originally Posted by 04 lariat stroker

i n eed some info on head studs,,,has anyone actually done it without pulling the cab or the motor...the stock gaskets are junk, especially when i get over 4000 rpm's and 40 pounds of boost...i know people have heard this or that but i need to talk to someone who has acutally done it...thanks

i put head studs in and you have to pull the motor. But i think it is the best investment i put in my truck hands down. i am stacking chips and they are holding up. good luck and have fun doing them

[mschn99]

kdavis.....if you have the A/C evaciated....the studs can probably be put in without pulling the motor...as the only reason for the motor pull is the evaperator core housing being in the way.........you can take that housing out if the A/C is evacuated.....just a thought...dotn want people thinking there is only one way to do things....but pulling the motor is probably the easiest way......Marc