7.3 Studs?

-diesel- · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 03:22 PM

So, I will be pulling the engine in March to replace the oilpan and while it's out do the rear main,front seal,valve cover harness and hopefully the turbo, hpop and injectors.money permitting.

Now the question I have is , should I install head studs while it's out? The motor has 200k on it and it will never produce more than about 400 hp. I know the failure rate of the HG on the 7.3 is nowhere near what it is on the 6.0, but what is the failure point? At what level of boost are they letting go? I doubt I'll ever get to 40psi, but I only want to have it apart once. Oh and the engine is an early model with the good rods.

If I do head studs , that means no injectors for sure.

Thanks for the info.

Ron's power stroke · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 01:49 AM

the headgaskets will be good for 40 lb..but its not boost that lifts the head and blow gaskets..if you dont ever plan on going over 400 HP you should be good to go.... i would do the springs and push rods...head studs would be nice...but there a lot of guy's running 450 HP with out studs..putting the heads on before the install would be alot better...them heads are very heavy to lift up in and set them in place while under the hood..

-diesel- · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron's power stroke

the headgaskets will be good for 40 lb..but its not boost that lifts the head and blow gaskets..if you dont ever plan on going over 400 HP you should be good to go.... i would do the springs and push rods...head studs would be nice...but there a lot of guy's running 450 HP with out studs..putting the heads on before the install would be alot better...them heads are very heavy to lift up in and set them in place while under the hood..

Well thats good info on the 450+ guys.
What valve springs and push rods are recommended for the 7.3?
I know that advanced injector timing plays a role in HG failure , but I understood high boost numbers to be the main concern.

**alberta 7.3** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 08:29 AM

Most guys are using Comp cams 910 springs, for a BB cheby, IIRC

**Marty** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -diesel-

So, I will be pulling the engine in March to replace the oilpan and while it's out do the rear main,front seal,valve cover harness and hopefully the turbo, hpop and injectors.money permitting.

Now the question I have is , should I install head studs while it's out? The motor has 200k on it and it will never produce more than about 400 hp. I know the failure rate of the HG on the 7.3 is nowhere near what it is on the 6.0, but what is the failure point? At what level of boost are they letting go? I doubt I'll ever get to 40psi, but I only want to have it apart once. Oh and the engine is an early model with the good rods.

If I do head studs , that means no injectors for sure.

Thanks for the info.

Don't waste your money.