Factory Head bolts

[firestroke]

Does anyone know the capabilities of factory head bolts? The head bolts are getting changed cause of a blown head gasket, the head bolts are factory from 04. Have they upgraded the strength of the head bolts or are they using the same head bolts due to the problems they have, to go back with?

[Clay Henry]

If i were you, i would consider some aftermarket studs. The factory ones will fail you if you mod the truck too heavey.

[BryanH]

I agree with CHenry, From my understanding the aftermarket studs or head bolt will not stretch under high boost as the factory bolts will. A friend of mine whom is a ford diesel tech suggested these aftermarket studs and told me at high milage they are needed if you are going to run high boost ( Meaning top settings on Programmers ). I am new to this diesel stuff so I am taking in all the info I can get, And It all seems to be the same.
On 6.0L the weak point is head gaskets because of Head bolt stretch. Other than that force the boost in and they will run.
Bryan

[lilredpowerstroke]

Originally Posted by firestroke

Does anyone know the capabilities of factory head bolts?

Not enough

The fact of the matter is the head gaskets arent the problem. It is the head bolts. Ford replaces the old head bolts with the same unless the customer supplies studs. Unfortunatly there are so many trucks blowing head gaskets that dont have tuners on them that it is just a matter of time before it happens. Head studs are cheap insurance in an expensive world.

[Evil Eye]

Originally Posted by Stroketech

Head studs are cheap insurance in an expensive world.

Great saying, Jon.