The Xotic CP879 is a heavy-duty cylinder head stud kit engineered for 1994–2003 7.3 Powerstroke diesel engines. Manufactured from premium, heat-treated alloy steel rated at a minimum tensile strength of 220,000 PSI, these studs provide the superior clamping force required to anchor cylinder heads under elevated combustion pressures. Xotic 7.3 Performance finishes each stud with precision-rolled threads and centerless ground shafts, packaging the complete hardware kit with matching hardened parallel-ground washers, 12-point nuts, and high-pressure assembly lubricant.

Blown head gaskets, cylinder head lift, coolant puking from the degas bottle, and stretched factory torque-to-yield head bolts are what this kit solves. When running upgraded high-flow injectors, aftermarket drop-in or T4 turbo setups, or aggressive performance tuning, peak cylinder pressures quickly surpass the clamping limit of stock bolts, causing the heads to lift and breach the combustion fire ring seal. Installing high-tensile studs eliminates fastener elongation and ensures uniform, reliable clamping load across the block deck under heavy towing and high-boost demands. It is the cylinder head stud, nut, and washer kit only; cylinder head gaskets and engine oil are sold separately.

It fits all 1994–2003 7.3 Powerstroke Ford Super Duty trucks, OBS F-Series, Excursions, and E-Series vans.

Fitment

• 1994–1997 Ford F-250 / F-350 OBS 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1999–2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1999–2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1999–2003 Ford F-450 / F-550 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke
• 2000–2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1994–2003 Ford E-Series Vans 7.3L Powerstroke
• Navistar T444E diesel engines
• Heat-treated alloy steel rated at 220,000+ PSI tensile strength
• Centerless ground with precision-rolled threads
• Includes hardened parallel-ground washers and 12-point nuts
• Supplied with high-pressure fastener assembly lubricant
• Complete cylinder head stud kit only

Thoroughly chase and clean all female head bolt holes in the engine block using a thread chaser or bottoming tap, blowing out every blind hole completely dry of residual coolant, oil, and debris before stud installation. Thread the studs into the block hand-tight only using the internal hex socket at the top—never torque or bottom out studs forcibly into the deck. Liberally coat the upper exposed stud threads, washer faces, and nut mating surfaces with the supplied assembly lubricant, then torque the 12-point nuts in the factory spiral pattern across multiple progressive steps up to the manufacturer's final recommended torque specification.