Replacing HG, have it checked and decked?

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BigBlue12V

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I am replacing my head gasket due to coolant leaking into the cylinder on my 96 P-pumped 24V daily driver truck (got the truck this way, i'm happy with 12 valves but the deal was right).

I'm just going back with stock gasket and new stock bolts. Do have some fueling mods and HX40 on it but its nothing crazy just a daily driver. I got the head off in bout an hr and a half (first time pulling head on one). I was just gonna clean it up and slap it back together but a friend came by and has me all worried that I should take and have the head decked. I'm planning on at least checking it with a straight edge and feeler gauge for sure, but is that a bad idea or waste of time/money? I work a lot during the week and do have another vehicle to drive (1st gen with bald tires and kingpins ready to fall out) but really need to get this thing back together and don't have time during the week to go to a machine shop which would require at least two trips and my work schedule is pretty much 8 am to 8 pm conveniently overlapping the times that the most reputable head shop around is open (9-5). My boss said he could wiggle me some time here n there to take the head in so its not completely out of the question if it's absolutely important to do. But am I taking a big risk NOT having it checked out and decked?

Thanks
Eric
 
I would never do a head gasket without having the the head cleaned up by a machine shop.

If your gonna do it, do it right.
 
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Thanks for taking the time to reply (and fast!) I guess I will be patient and do it right......
 
duck_04 said:
I would never do a head gasket without having the the head cleaned up by a machine shop.

If your gonna do it, do it right.
Click to expand...

This. If you already have it off why not. Better to do it now while it is already off rather than going back and doing it again when another gasket lets go.
 
I tell everyone that asks me that question, if you are driving thru the desert and the fuel gauge is near empty would you keep driving or stop and fuel up at the station right up the road....
 
Either way...I wouldn't get it decked if you're going to be close to stock and you're in a hurry. The block could still be waay off even if the head is decked.
 
I personally I have never seen a head flatter than .007 end to end, some is bad as .010 and yes Cummins spec is .010, mine is as close as possible, an absolute must if your putting an O-ring in....FYI!

Jim
 
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