Driveway Head Stud Install 101 - For Dummies

[jimmyz32]

Nice write up thanks. How many hours did it take to complete?

[smotrs]

Originally Posted by ZeroOne

Nice writeup and photos! I don't think I could ever do this, with the high-torque in hard to reach places, surrounded by delicate parts. Something would slip.

Probably our patience.

[08stroker250]

Originally Posted by Dave

Is that from the install that Mike and Gene did a while back?

Notice he said this was bigrpwr's write up, he just added photo's and few extra things he did.

[EvilTwins]

Originally Posted by jimmyz32

Nice write up thanks. How many hours did it take to complete?

It took about three hours on Friday night and about 8 hours on Saturday. I took my time and documented the process as I went. If I had to do it again, and it may just happen, I could do it in a a solid 7 or 8 hours.

The most time consuming aspect is the which extension, which socket, which angle, now that I know what to use the process can be sped up quite a bit.

[dieselkane]

Is it really a good idea to install head studs this way? I mean, without taking the heads off, replacing the gaskets, etc???

[EvilTwins]

Originally Posted by AED F250

Saved to favorites.

Thanks for the write up!

How do you like the 310 tune? Planning on nitrous later on?

The 310 is a dream, literally, It started puking as soon as I loaded it, which led to the stud install. I have a few loose ends on the motor to clear up before I comment on the outcome of this stud install, so once I dot some I's and cross some T's I will write up my saga.

Originally Posted by ZeroOne

Nice writeup and photos! I don't think I could ever do this, with the high-torque in hard to reach places, surrounded by delicate parts. Something would slip.

It was'nt a hard job, just long and you have to be methotical. I am NOT a diesel mechanic. This is my first diesel and I have only built a couple of small blocks in addition to a few motorcycles. The average person with a few special tools can do this (50 to 250 torque wrench, impact sockets & extnesions).

Not to mention having a good bud on speed dial who will take the time to answer a few technical questions is priceless. Thanks Sean (powerstroker67). Your patience is appreciated. I will not hesitate to pay it forward should someone want to take on this project and need someone who did this on the other side of the phone.

[EvilTwins]

Originally Posted by dieselkane

Is it really a good idea to install head studs this way? I mean, without taking the heads off, replacing the gaskets, etc???

I will put money on the fact that your question will raise as much debate as the abortion issue. I may be overstating that but you get my point.

My answer would be as follows. If you are not puking coolant and want a reliable motor to put some NO2 on, I say do it this way. You are rellly just adding a sense of security.

If you are puking coolant, and you are absolutely sure that it is your head gaskets, (someone is going to read between the lines on that one) then doing this process may or may not stop the coolant spewing. You have to understand that going in. If it doesn't fix the problem then you just gotta suck it up and pull the heads, via a cab off procedure.

I don't currently have a lift so the success of this procedure was a calculated risk. I did speak to a tech that said that there is a cab on procedure to pulling the heads detailed in the Ford service manual. This procedure may be a bigfoot sighting.

[uga33]

You can't put into words how tight the stock bolts when they are coming off. Just thought I would reiterate that!

[matt05]

Great write up. If/when I do studs, I will probably have my cab lifted and half the gaskets done at the same time, just for the added insurance. But so far quite a few people are doing it this way (Mike, Rudy, and now EvilTwins) and not seeming to have any problems so far.

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by smotrs

Probably our patience.

For me, that would have gone out the window at step two. Currently accepting donations for the hg/studs fund! Coughing up the coin for this one.

Originally Posted by EvilTwins

I will put money on the fact that your question will raise as much debate as the abortion issue. I may be overstating that but you get my point.

That may be more accurate than you realize!

You were having a problem with the 310 puking even at low load, correct? But, much less of a problem with lower tunes? Since you've chosen to do the head studs this way, with the original head gaskets, how are you doing so far? Tested it out yet?

EDIT: Just realized, you touched on this issue in a previous post. Looking forward to your thoughts and results after you've had a little time to get a feel for it.