Head bolts and head studs prevent these engines from exploding, blowing their head gaskets, or having similar failures. Many performance-oriented diesel owners, as well as truck owners with bulletproof trucks, praise head studs. Let's take the cylinder head off and remove the hood. Now, let us find out why you need aftermarket head studs.
What Are Head Studs?
Barra Head Studs offer a better alternative to head bolts. They are stronger than head bolts and can withstand more pressure.
Head bolts can be made from a variety of steels. They are heat-treated to allow them to withstand up to 160,000 psi. These bolts are more difficult than head studs and can be used only once. Head bolts have twisting force applied during installation which can cause inaccurate torque readings.
Head studs are easy to install due to the engine block, head gasket, and cylinder alignment. They also apply only clamping force on the engine, sealing the head gasket properly and giving accurate torque readings. Head studs can be reused 3-4 times before they need to be replaced.
Why Would You Need Head Studs?
Because automakers are extremely precise in their calculations, and because they have to keep costs down, they will not always use the finest parts. Stock head bolts are limited to handling stock power. Turbo kits can cause engine damage.
Why Would You Need Head Studs To Improve Performance?
If you plan on making any modifications to your truck's performance, head studs will be necessary. Some parts of these engines have difficulty supporting stock power and will need to be replaced. The expansion of gases causes the piston to move down, but the force must not cause any other parts to move. The weakest parts of an engine will begin to fail if you increase its power. The stock head bolts are often one of these weakest links.
Head studs have a greater clamping force than head bolts. This means they can withstand more power by properly sealing the engine block, head gasket, and cylinder head. Head studs are also made from tougher materials so they won’t crack or break easily.
The head studs can only be screwed into the engine block by hand. A nut is used at the top to tighten the nut. This results in a stronger clamping force as well as greater reliability due to the pressure being distributed throughout the shaft. Head bolts pull on the threads in the engine block and are subject to twisting pressure. This, as you might have guessed, can cause them to be less reliable.
Why Would You Need Head Studs For Bulletproofing?
Bulletproofing a truck means that unreliable parts are replaced with aftermarket alternatives.
These heavy-duty trucks can produce impressive horsepower and torque straight from the factory. These trucks come with an inline-6 engine or a turbocharged V8 powerplant. However, the engines are held together by steel bolts. Numerous failures have occurred due to this. Truck owners who want to bulletproof their diesel frequently replace the stock head bolts with aftermarket head studs.
