6.5L TD Head Gaskets

[heath]

I think i have a blown head gasket on 6.5L TD. How can i know for sure and if so how hard are they to replace? I have good knowledge of chevy gas engines and have rebuilt several this will be first diesel to tear in to.

Thanks For Any Help,

Heath

[charliepeterson]

Heavy white smoke out the tail pipe or pressurized coolant system before the thermostat opens are good indicators. Take a careful look at the heads when they come off and do both sides.
Same procedure as a gas head only you must bleed the fuel lines when done. DON'T try to save a few bucks by skimping on parts. Get good gaskets and new head bolts. If the injectors have any time on them swap them out along with the glow plugs. This is a big job and you only want to do it one time.

[tom.mcinerney]

Heath -
Not to be negative, but sometimes the blocks also crack.
Oh, should have mentioned that the heads usually crack. There's a kit/proceedure to limit the cracks so as not to extend from combustion chamber to water jacket. Search threads, see "reference" section of site. Felpro gaskets nice, use sealant where required; suggest More Power's "R&R Guide".

[ 12-23-2004, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: tom mac 95 ]