Head Gasket Failing?

Hey folks. I have some coolant leaking from the head bolt by #1 cylinder. What are the thoughts that a head stud kit might actually help seal this up? I have a feeling I am just gonna have to do a the head gasket at this point, but thought I would see what others thoughts are. I guess it would be good to see what the pistons and stuff look like anyway.

 

Leaking or weeping? Stock truck? They generally don't loose head gaskets on stock trucks so more info might be helpful.

 

Looks like slight leak from front corner exhaust side as well as some seeping from bolt. It will be coming off this weekend. I wanna see the pistons condition anyway. Truck is not stock.

 

The only time I’ve personally witnessed a head gasket fail was a 12 valve in a Case 621 wheel loader. It did leak coolant off a corner.

 

Well at this rate i have everything pulled so I may as well pull it and check engine health as well

 

They are actually pretty common at that location. The problem is the coolant bypass port is too close to the edge of the head/block. The bead of silicone is about 1/16" wide on the head gasket. I blame Cummins (lol) the gasket and high pressure at high RPM with a cool engine and thermostat closed.

I had to change mine on the '01 at 258k, the '91 and Ford are both original, however, they are both lower RPM engines v/s the '01. Note the area by the blue dots. That
hole is not for a head bolt, it is the bypass port. It is rare for me to rev over 2700 now.


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Ill be throwing in arp studs so hopefully no issues after that

 

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