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7.3L IDI - Head Studs????
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tdbt3c
New User
| Posts: 24
| Joined: 09/08
Posted: 10/19/09
02:10 PM
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I had a 6.9L IDI that I put a turbo on. As a result, I over pressured my engine, stretched the head bolts and blew the head gaskets out, breaking at least one rod. I have now upgraded to a 7.3L IDI and swapped the turbo onto it. I have been told that the head bolts on the 7.3L were strong enough that it wouldn't happen again, but I am leary of blowing up another truck. However I am also having a hard time finding head studs for a turboed 7.3L IDI.
Do I need to upgrade to head studs? If so, where can I find them?
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Posted: 10/19/09
02:49 PM
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What kind of boost were you pushing? If it was more than 10 -12 psi I can see why the heads lifted.
Mike McGlothlin
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tdbt3c
New User
| Posts: 24
| Joined: 09/08
Posted: 10/21/09
09:12 PM
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Honestly I don't know how much boost I was getting. I hadn't put the gauge on yet. But I think the turbo was pre-set not to put out any more than 15 psi. I was going down the interstate at about 3200 RPM when I heard the rod start knocking. It didn't really surprise me any. I am sure they were the original head gaskets, and I was pretty bad at keeping good coolant in it. It had been overheated a couple times as well which probably didn't help the old gaskets.
But my real question is, how much of the failure was attributed to the old gaskets, and how much to the weak head bolts? And does the 7.3 really have stronger bolts that won't stretch?
I don't intend to do anything crazy (truck pulls/drag strip) with the truck any time soon, other than maybe try to pull some heavy trailers. I just don't want to completely tear down the engine for new gaskets and studs if it isn't really necessary.
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BCRAM
Enthusiast
| Posts: 657
| Joined: 11/06
Posted: 10/24/09
09:13 PM
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15psi on a old 6.9...you're just askin' for trouble. The 7.3 has a better bottom end, but you really need a manifold pressure gauge. Keep it around 12-13 psi and you should be ok.
2002 Dodge Ram 6 SPD Fass pump, afe cold air, mbrp 4" ss exhaust, 275hp RV injectors, edge ez, isspro gauges, South Bend clutch, track bar updated to 03-07 style, dss steering stabilizer system, 285 Cooper Discover
"If it doesn't have tit's a trigger or a throttle I'm pretty much not interested!"
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