Duramax Head Gasket Replacement

[More Power]

Turns out, a proper LB7 injector cup removal/re-installation really isn't all that complicated. Shown above is the machined deck surface of an LB7 cylinder head illustrating the appearance of a properly installed injector cup(s). If you run your finger over the end of the cup, you'd just barely feel the end of the cup protruding above the deck surface. Only .004" was removed from the deck when this head was re-surfaced. While hard to see in this image, there was a barely visible ring of red Loc-Tite 272 around the end of the cup, indicating that the proper amount of sealant was uniformly applied and distributed as the cup was driven into the head. The Loc-Tite not only seals the cup once cured but also lubricates the end of the cup as it's inserted into the head. Can't install them without this sealant - they won't go in without the lubrication qualities of the sealant.



From the top side, you can see the correct position of the cups after being inserted into the heads. The video link in a previous post will show you how to properly insert each cup. For the sake of more info, the 2 large O-rings that seal the top (big end) of the cups in the head are lubricated before being inserted. I've heard of many different recommendations for a lubricant... ranging from liquid dish soap to coolant to engine oil to chassis grease. Now, these O-rings seal engine lubricant from reaching the engine coolant (or vice-versa), so from a practical standpoint, there are multiple correct answers as to which might be best. I chose to use a light coating of clean chassis grease, applied to both the O-rings and the inside of the top-side hole in the heads. The small-end of each hole should remain spotlessly clean and dry before receiving the Loc-Tite 272 sealant. It's been 4-1/2 years and nearly 20,000 miles since these photos were taken, without a hint of a coolant or oil leak. The above video link will show more detail.

Jim

PS... The printed Duramax Diesel Service Guide linked below in my signature will soon go away. There are currently just 3 of the beautifully printed versions remaining. Once they're gone... they're gone, and won't be printed again. My goal is to make every chapter of that Guide available in video format. You can help make that happen by supporting our YouTube channel and this video series with Likes, by Subscribing and posting comments to our YouTube posted videos.


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[Yukon6.2]

Thanks for the heads up on the amount of manuals left. Update there are only 2 left now.
As my towtruck is on my have to repair list for hard rad hoses...
The manual is on it's way, not that the manual will move the tow truck up the list of priorities any faster.
Thank you Jim for all you have done.

[More Power]

Thanks for the heads up on the amount of manuals left. Update there are only 2 left now.
As my towtruck is on my have to repair list for hard rad hoses...
The manual is on it's way, not that the manual will move the tow truck up the list of priorities any faster.
Thank you Jim for all you have done.

Thank you Thomas!

[Yukon6.2]

Got the book safe and sound
I haven't been getting much shipped from the states lately and it showed. Had a brain fart and should have had it sent to my Alaska address. Probaly would have saved $50.00 by doing it that way. But seeing the tow truck is a company truck i will be claiming the costs as a business deduction
I usually discuss shipping ect to try and cut costs.So it turned out expensive, but in the end it will be worth it as it is an awesome book full of the information required to take on the job by yourself.
Customs is taking the tariff stuff seriously...had an additional $29.00 to pay to get the book out of jail.

[More Power]

While I certainly agree that shipping to Canada is too high, the cost to ship to the EU and the AU/NZ/SA is nearly twice that. We used to ship a lot of books to many countries around the world. Not so much these last several years. Shipping cost is why. Costs crossed a threshold.

I have quite a few friends, acquaintances and business contacts across Canada. My dad was even thinking about moving the family to Smithers in the late 1960's. At 16 I still remember the mini-skirts while driving through Williams Lake at 3:30 pm when the local high school got out in March 1969. The contrast of seeing mini-skirts on all the high school girls and 4 feet of snow on the ground made quite an impression on me. I have also wanted to go to Bella Coola since the late 1960's when I read an article in Reader's Digest about a migrant homesteader who built his own seaplane so he had better access to his own little piece of paradise.

I recently helped a social media automotive enthusiast in Ontario who is looking to do a build series on a Duramax swap. And, I've been to Abbotsford BC quite a few times since 1997 to attend BD's dyno days. Brian Roth and his crew were always great to me. He told me once how he needed to frequently adapt their business to include the ever-changing monetary exchange rate. The last HD 12KGVW trailer I bought was made in Manitoba. I loved that trailer - wish I still had it. I don't like the neighborly squabbles between our respective govs, but imagine if we all used the USD with no tariffs, duty, customs or penalties in either direction. Shipping cost to the YT from Montana should be the same cost as shipping to Colorado. So yes, we like Canadians here!

[Yukon6.2]

Myself being born in the USA i keep an interest in what happens there. Americans are always welcome here
Had i been in the US for the last election i would be very happy with the results
Today is a very pivotal election here. It has so much consequences as to what will become of Canada.
I am very concerned.Never has the thought of leaving Canada been part of my life as it is now.
Unfortunately my life was never built around possibly moving.I have 3 yards full of vintage vehicles, my construction equipment and buildings.But if the fears i have about what path Canada takes today may force my hand and i may be spending the next few years liquidating and searching for my semi retirement home outside of Canada.
Unlike the blowhards that yell how they were going to leave the USA because of their hate for a person, my choice will be based not on hate. But based on my love of freedom, which could be a forgotten right depending on the path Canada elects today.
Sorry for a political base reply.