If you’re tearing into a 6.0-liter Power Stroke for a head gasket job, you know the pressure is on to get it right the first time. The success of the entire, massive job hinges on one thing: getting the heads clamped down perfectly. Wade McGinnis of Thoroughbred Diesel shared his shop-proven tips for the most critical phase of the repair, the ARP2000 Head Stud Installation, to show how a disciplined process can make all the difference.

Don’t Skip The Head Stud Prep Work

Before you even think about grabbing a torque wrench, the block needs to be perfectly prepped. McGinnis demonstrated chasing every head stud hole in the block with a Metric 14×2 bottoming tap, followed by blowing them out with compressed air. This step is mandatory for getting an accurate torque reading. He then emphasized the single most important rule when threading in the new studs. “When you place the stud in, you only want to run the stud down hand tight,” he warned.

The ARP2000 Head Stud Installation Sequence

With the studs in place, the methodical torquing process begins, taking the nuts to a final 210 ft-lb in three even steps. To avoid losing his place during this long process, McGinnis shared a lifesaver of a tip. “I keep a paint pen,” he said, explaining that he marks each nut after every completed sequence. “This takes a little bit of time, but you never lose your spot like this,” he explained. He also shared an old-school trick learned from a top fuel engine builder: waiting 10–15 minutes between each torque sequence to let the gaskets and hardware settle.

It’s Not Just The Studs

With the main studs torqued, the job isn’t over. McGinnis moves on to the smaller fasteners that are also critical to the assembly. He installs the separate American Racing Products (ARP) M8 inner row bolts, taking them to a final torque of 25 ft-lb in a similar multi-step process. Finally, he torques the rocker arm bolts to 23 ft-lb, starting in the middle and working his way out to ensure even pressure on the valvetrain.

The Final Word On 6.0-liter Reliability

While the 6.0-liter Power Stroke is notorious for its head gasket issues, a proper ARP2000 Head Stud Installation is what separates a truly bulletproofed engine from a costly and frustrating repeat failure. So, huge thanks to Wade of Thoroughbred Diesel for this complete installation guide that even DIY builders can use as a guide.