Here's my plan

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
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16
BC
The heads are off my (100,000 mile) LB7 and look ok to surface. (.003" should do it) I'm taking the injectors in to get tested/reman'd and the heads to get pressure tested and surfaced. I'll put it together with GM gaskets, ARP studs and a BD turbo.

Should I match the original grade head gaskets? (see pics) or just get the thickest?

Will I regret not keying the cam? the crank?
 

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LBZrcks

.........
Jun 2, 2007
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SoCal
Are you gonna get a valve job or have them checked aswell? I would do a valve job at the same time you get the heads resurfaced since there is very little piston to valve clearance. You should be able to use the same gasket if you do also. imo. If you get thicker head gaskets you will be dropping compression.

Keying the cam and crank would be great, but if you're planning on tearing down your motor more you can't do it. Also if you are tearing it down you might aswell send your pistons out to be cut and get some rods, LBZ/LMM at the least
 

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
0
16
BC
I'm trying to stay out of the bottom end for budget purposes this time. My main application is towing (steep hwy, Sledhead refers to snowmobiling) and I'm looking for longevity around 500 HP. Duratothemax and Johnboy bring up interesting points here http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8952 I'd like to know why my head gaskets went so early with my mods (or the unknown life experience prior to 60,000 miles) Studs or bolts? old gaskets or new? Thanks all.
 

LBZrcks

.........
Jun 2, 2007
5,297
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SoCal
I'm trying to stay out of the bottom end for budget purposes this time. My main application is towing (steep hwy, Sledhead refers to snowmobiling) and I'm looking for longevity around 500 HP. Duratothemax and Johnboy bring up interesting points here http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8952 I'd like to know why my head gaskets went so early with my mods (or the unknown life experience prior to 60,000 miles) Studs or bolts? old gaskets or new? Thanks all.

Both are valid points, our blocks do move a little when you put studs in. Ben was probably a little harder on his truck than you might/are.

There are some people that can run bigger turbos on their trucks for long periods of time and have no issues while others that push gaskets with stock turbos.

It's your decision in the end. If you have no plans for a motor build might aswell put the studs in and hope that it works out for the long term.:2cents:
 

S Phinney

Active member
Aug 15, 2008
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Quncy, Fl
You will not need head studs with th BD Turbo. If your have bought the turbo already I would strongly suggest using a different brand. I have had a similar build to what you are wanting and that turbo is not durable. Also BD is very poor on customer service if you do have a problem.
 

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
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16
BC
Great info, thanks. I have yet to commit to anything but the cheque book (yep, Canadian) is ready. Sure is sweet to still have my truck running on a spare mill. Was it the bearing or what and how long have you had it?
 

S Phinney

Active member
Aug 15, 2008
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The first Bd ran about 20000 miles. BD claimed it overspun but I think it occurred from shaft deflection. The exhaust wheel put a whole in the housing about the size of a quarter then sent the rest out the exhaust pipe. I had to purchase the other so I would have my truck to use . They did not warranty it but the R&D department did help me out a little. The problem with customer service was that they would not tell me anything and it took six and one weeks to guve me any answers. I would have purchased something else if I had suspected they would not take care of the problem. I eventually went with a Silver Bullet 66 that was the best avenue with trying to save some of my investment on the BD. There are plenty of other setups out there they are just alot more expensive than the BD, but are probably worth the difference.
 

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
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16
BC
I'd be interested to hear from others with more miles on their BD turbo before making a decision on this.

I've been loading this engine to about 95% (minding EGTs to 1250 -1350) up hills for 10 mins (not 10.5 sec) over and over again and I bet the first guy did too. I think that might be a factor of my head gasket failure. Turbo upgrade should help get the heat out, yes? Studs should keep heads down better than bolts, no?
 
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sweetdiesel

That's better
Aug 6, 2006
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Both are valid points, our blocks do move a little when you put studs in. Ben was probably a little harder on his truck than you might/are.

There are some people that can run bigger turbos on their trucks for long periods of time and have no issues while others that push gaskets with stock turbos. So true!!!! Ive seen both sides of this....Its honestly a subject that has so many varibles that you cant answer:rolleyes: I find it funny that people put a boost # on head gasket failure

It's your decision in the end. If you have no plans for a motor build might aswell put the studs in and hope that it works out for the long term.:2cents:

jmo.... but i would replace the studs with ARP and obvoiously use new gaskets pending how much thay take off the heads

stretch the bolts and then perhaps TQ them a little less for the block stess....good luck

Oh and as far as the turbo.....BD? So many other options:D
 

WolfLMM

Making Chips
Nov 21, 2006
4,005
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The HTT is nice. Get the Stainless steel housing though, it spools much better. It will spool slightly slower than stock, but with tuning you can get real close. Midrange is really nice, as well as, high end. EGTS run a little cooler with the SS housing as well. You will need to work on tuning to keep it lit in 5th gear so you can pull those hills.
 

duramax3388

Member
May 22, 2008
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Zanesville Ohio
where are you taking your injectors just a diesel injection shop and do you have any idea what it cost to have them rebuild them instead of just buying remans thanks
 

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
0
16
BC
Dynamic Fuel Injection, Langley B.C. $100 each (CAN$) I think. They were fresh about 40K miles ago but one stuck shortly thereafter and engine seemed a bit louder since. I had one about +4 and another about -3 so may as address it now.
 

S Phinney

Active member
Aug 15, 2008
4,008
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Quncy, Fl
Proformance Injection is also good with injectors. The Phat Shaft turbo along with the HTT or the 4094R Garrett would be good choices but each will require some tuning to accomplish what you"re looking for.
 

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
0
16
BC
I just had the heads pressure tested and currently getting surfaced. Next will be new valve seals and re-install the sleeves. I'll take my injectors in for testing/reman next week. Any recommendations on gaskets; GM, Felpro, or ? What's the turbo choice of the month?
 

Dzlnut

Member
Feb 27, 2008
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Homedale Idaho
I just went through the headgaskets last weekend. I had B grade gaskets, had to mill .005 off both heads and went back together with C grade gaskets and Bolts. I did not plug it in the first nigt and started it in the am at 22degF and had no cold start up smoke...which i am glad. I did not go with studs because i was a little worrired about upper cyl distorsion and i don't plan to exceed 30psi of boost.
 

TrentNell

Finally underway !!!!!
Jul 7, 2008
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slc tuah
the bd supermax is a identical to a silver bullit and htt just 2mm smaller in the inducer . i had mine upgraded to the same as the htt . for the money you cant beat the s300( htt and others ) and i garentee it will put a woopen on a 4088 . track times have proven that so far .
 

WolfLMM

Making Chips
Nov 21, 2006
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AL
the bd supermax is a identical to a silver bullit and htt just 2mm smaller in the inducer . i had mine upgraded to the same as the htt . for the money you cant beat the s300( htt and others ) and i garentee it will put a woopen on a 4088 . track times have proven that so far .

Not to argue a stupid point, but the bearings are different between the two(HTT and BD) the high techs are a little better. But yeah I agree for the money its hard to beat a S300. The SS housing is a nice addition as well! Ok I know Im beating the HTT drum, so I will kindly STFU.