Head Gaskets & Head Studs
Head Gaskets
The Duramax 6.6L engines use a variety of head gasket thicknesses. You will not have a problem if you go with the size C, which is the thickest of the standard sizes. The stock head gaskets are still the preferred gasket to use, even on performance engines. The 2001 trucks had problems, but those gaskets have been superseded to the current numbers and the problems are gone.</p>
<p>There are gaskets available for oversized bores and decked blocks. That gasket will give you an additional .008" thickness to make up for machining, or to drop the compression ratio slightly. These gaskets will work on standard bore engines also.
Gaskets are labeled Left or Right. Left is the drivers side and Right is the passenger side.
Valve Cover Gaskets
If you are replacing the head gasket, you will need valve cover gaskets also. The 6.6L Duramax engine uses a spacer between the head and the valve cover. There is a gasket between the spacer and the head. Between the spacer and the valve cover is liquid gasket material on LB7 engines and use a gasket on LLY, LBZ, & LMM engines. Be sure to use a quality gasket maker like the GM Engine Sealant listed below on the LB7.
Head Studs
When upgrading power on a Duramax engine, it is a good idea to upgrade the factory head bolts, especially when changing the turbo charger. We give you three options for head studs. First is ARP. ARP is well known in the racing industry for making quality racing parts. ARP has two versions of head studs available. The 2000 series is a less expensive product that exceeds the factory bolts and is great for street performance engines. They can corrode from exposure to coolant and or combustion gases, so a close inspection must be made if they are to be reused. For high end racing engines we recommend the TTS Head Studs or the ARP Custom Age Head Studs. Both are made of a higher strength material that is corrosion resistant and hold up excellent time and time again. You can let your wallet decide which one you need.
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