Well I’m getting ready to start working on the 2003 Excursion’s replacement engine. Most all the parts need assembly including the cylinder heads. It’s very important to have good sealing with head gaskets on Diesels due to the extreme cylinder pressures that at play. I may use the word ‘Powerstroke’ to mean the actual real name of ‘Power Stroke’ please let me slide on that as I do it all the time.
The Power Stroke (or Powerstroke if you care to call it that) is no different especially if you are building a performance Diesel like I am. You can use regular head bolts or a couple of vendors Head Stud kits. The ARP head studs are right around the $600 range, H11 tool steel even more, so for this engine and given the increased in performance a good idea I would get studs.
Studs are not without their own peril, it can be difficult to remove them while the engine is in the truck as well as a pain if you have to pull a cylinder head for repair as sometime studs are difficult to remove. I don’t have a set yet but hopefully that have the Allen (Hex) wrench access in the head of the stud.
Also from what is mentioned in the ARP spec sheet that shorter studs go under the injectors, don’t forget this while installing them. Also follow the direction from ARP on using the correct lubricants on the threads.
When using regular head bolts Ford recommends LIGHTLY oil threads with engine oil.
It’s also always a good idea to run a tap in all head bolt threads to make sure they are clean. You should do this if your engine guy didn’t.
The their is some confusion on the Head Bolt / Studs Torque is for a few different years Ford had different torque for early and later Power Stroke 7.3’s. The numbers are very close either way so I would edge towards the high side if using head bolts. For studs I would ultimately arrive at the maximum torque as specified by the manufacturer. ARP has an odd torque sequence values to start but ends up with what seems to be in consensus with many folks.
Ford Head Bolt Torque Specs 1994-1997 Power Stroke
- Torque 65 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 85 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 105 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 2 Below
Ford Head Bolt Torque Specs 1999-2003 Power Stroke
- Torque 65 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 85 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 95 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 2 Below
Torque Specs with ARP Studs 1993-2003 Power Stroke
(ARP Part Number 250-4201)
- Torque 45 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 85 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 125 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 2 Below
Diesel Innovations uses these specs and sequence for the ARP Studs
- Torque 45 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 85 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 1 Below
- Torque 95 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 2 Below
- Torque 120 Ft/Lbs Using Sequence 2 Below
Don’t forget to follow the lubricating instructions for your bolts or studs, and ensure the threads are clean and free of
debris. Different lubs MAY affect torque values.
