Machining for studs?

Weatherlite · Apr 14, 2015

Just a quick question. While talking to the machine shop today, he told me since I am studding the truck (already did but now have to get gaskets re-done) he will machine the head for the 18mm dowel to go deeper. I have never heard of this before. I chose this machine shop because I couldn't find one locally that would do a diesel. This shop does about 8 sets of 6.0 head a week and builds full motors, so I would think he has some knowledge. Anyway, he said he found that the dowels are actually a hair too long when using studs, which doesn't allow even clamping force. He showed me by putting a head on a block without the gasket and measuring the distance, then comparing it to the head gasket thickness. I wouldn't have thought this could be an issue, but it did appear so. NO extra charge for it so I don't think he's just trying to convince me for a profit reason.

Anyone ever seen something like this?

Stevenmc08 · Apr 14, 2015

I've never seen this or heard of it but if the dowels are too long for the head to bolt down good then it makes sense. Is he wanting to machine the head or the dowels?

Weatherlite · Apr 15, 2015

Stevenmc08 said:
Is he wanting to machine the head or the dowels?

Forgot to address this. He puts the machining on the head since you never know if a dowel will be replaced in the future.

Zmann · Apr 14, 2015

lol

jig up a head or buzz the dowel but regardless i have never heard of this one
it would take ten seconds to verify

Weatherlite · Apr 15, 2015

I thought about it for a while and I think he meant after machining for flatness. This would make sense if you had to take a decent amount off the head and the dowel wasn't seated all the way down, etc. Either way, I'll be measuring my dowel and the recess in the head to see what I've got. Just thought I would bring it up.

Zmann · Apr 15, 2015

thanks !

mastrkee · Apr 15, 2015

That's an interesting aspect of milling 6.0 heads since Ford says that they are not to be machined. I just had mine done and the machinist didn't mention it. This particular shop came highly recommended by several people in my area that have a lot of stuff machined and I trust their judgment. It's definitely something to be looked at! Now I'm wondering if all the work I just did studding my truck will be in vain.

Weatherlite · Apr 15, 2015

It may just be something they ran across a couple times and now he does it as a matter of habit....just in case. Who knows?!

Machining for studs?

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities