Originally Posted by caere

Well Ford says it's not the heater core. Of course after they install a new one for $400. THen they tested for combustion gases. I suggested they not replace the core and just shut it off (crewcab). THey said it is better to test knowing the heater core works. Fine I'm no diesel tech.

Combustion gases in coolant. THey say head gaskets. THey said they would get working on it asap. I said "Give me my keys". He said "Don't you want it fixed?" I said not by them. I'm taking it to the guy that did my tranny. He's gonna pull the motor out and inspect everything. He's thinking that the heads and block may just need to be decked properly. Worse case I'll be looking at a new long or short block motor. He said it's possible to go with a forged long block too.

Any advantages to a forged block? Or is standard good enough?

I'm gonna still run the same mods. 190's and the Powermax with Eric's Extreme street. I'm guessing at least 500 HP or more.

Any tips on good long block makers?

PS - The tech said they wouldn't refund any money from the 2nd head gasket job. He said I am running lots of HP. I said it's not any worse then the Edge Attitude they suggest and installed for me 5 years ago lol. (head gaskets blew and tranny was ruined within a year) He said his own personal 6.0L has had the head gaskets blow twice. He had them fixed at that shop. I asked, Did you deck your heads? He said no. Lesson learned. Anyone needing a head gasket job should insist on having them checked by a machine shop, not just the Ford tech. procedure!

Originally Posted by 69cj

Heater cores are in a bypass circuit just like the coolant filter. The core can stop flow and not effect anything else thus the heater control valve.