Broken Boost Gauge

[93_Fummins]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, but I can't help but be a little giddy....

I installed a new HTT Pulse 3-piece exhaust, HTT Stage IV compressor, and 16 cm2 turbine housing on my Fummins over the weekend. Let's just say that my nice new 35psi Auto Meter boost gauge is no longer accurate! I got on a straight stretch, put the pedal to the floor and the needle wrapped all the way around and bounced off the rest pin back at 0 psi!!!

Aside from now needing a new boost gauge...thanks to the help of about 5 more trips down that straight stretch and my lead foot...I'm now a little concerned about the head gasket. Has anyone run high boost on a stock head gasket? If so, how much, and how long did it last?

[PToombs]

I run 40-43 psi on a regular basis. I haven't popped it yet. The biggest thing is to make sure that the engine is warm before you harp on it. If it's cold, plan on replacing the gasket shortly.

[TWorline]

My HG is seeping from #1 and #6 now, 191K and 52PSI is taking its toll but I like it!

[IowaCummins]

well i have a stock head gasket and an auto meter boost gauge and i get it at straight up adn down. so 6 o clock and sometiem when conditions are right its been at 7:15 or so. i have been running it like that since october. so far so good! lol

[gear jammer 91"]

I run 40-43 psi on a regular basis. I haven't popped it yet. The biggest thing is to make sure that the engine is warm before you harp on it. If it's cold, plan on replacing the gasket shortly.

He ain't joking !

[93_Fummins]

I do try to make it a habit of getting the engine warm before playing after having a bad experience with a cold 7.3L IDI that used to be in my truck.

PToombs and TWorline,

Have you guys retorqued your head bolts? I've heard/read that they can be retorqued a little past factory, but I have a tendency to have bad karma when I get to wrench-bending and a broken head bolt doesn't sound like fun...but neither does a leaky head gasket.

Sorry for being a noobie pest...

[cummins king]

if your running stock timming, you can retoruque your head to 125ftpds, and you should get 60 psi out of it, if you have a good head.

[TWorline]

Yeah I have re torqued it to 125 about a year ago.

[RSWORDS]

I've been running 55-60 psi on my 125 ft/lb retorque and have 3 or 4 pulls on it and ALOT of rompings on the street. As said above makeing sure the engine is up to temp helps ALOT!

[peobryant]

if your running stock timming, you can retoruque your head to 125ftpds, and you should get 60 psi out of it, if you have a good head.

What about with, say, an 1/8" bump in timing. Would it be okay to retorque to 125ft/lb?

[Richie O]

Parker, I think what they are getting at is with advanced timing it increases cyl pressure. So a truck with bumped timing has more cyl pressure at the same boost then a truck at stock settings.

[peobryant]

Parker, I think what they are getting at is with advanced timing it increases cyl pressure. So a truck with bumped timing has more cyl pressure at the same boost then a truck at stock settings.

I should've read that more carefully. I feel like an idiot...

Thanks for clearing that up Richie.

[cummins king]

Ya you should be fine with and 1/8 timming bump

[PToombs]

I threw the breaker bar on and snugged up the ones in the right front corner where it was seeping some. That's as close to a retorque as it's gotten at 220k miles.