I have a 06 F350 with 123k. Before I bought it, it had a turbo put on, two egr's and then a oil cooler/egr cooler/vc9 flush. I bought it with an 3/36 extended warranty. After pulling my 16,000 lb fifth wheel a bit it started showing signs of a slight HG leak. Warranty paid for the head gasket r&r, and I bought ARP's to replace the TTY's. The shop also found 6 valves out of spec so they were replaced with the guides. I also had the shop install the blue spring kit while it was in for work.

I just got it back from the shop and it appears that the HG's are nice and tight now. The truck is 100% stock except for the ARP's. I almost solely use this truck to pull my camper on family trips, and I need it to be reliable. I don't plan on chipping it, but it does get run hard while pulling hills with the camper behind it.

I opted to not do the egr delete since the coolers have less than 20k on them and to preserve my ext. warranty. I do have the torque app and dongle to monitor EOT, ECT, FICM voltage, etc. I do not have an EGT pyro right now. It has Ford Gold coolant in it now, but I plan on doing a thorough flush and refill with ELC.

Questions..... how hard can I run it? Is it ok to go WOT and let the clutch fan work. Can EGT's get too high with stock programming? How much boost is too much for stock HG's and ARP's?....currently max is about 27 psi.

 

If your stock, esp. with studs, you're good to go. If your pushing it when getting off a highway just give the turbo 4 or 5 minutes to cool down. Usually by the time you find parking your good to go.

 

I have had no problems running my 350 full out when towing heavy loads. Yes it is stock. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I really believe that my experiences are typical.

Meticulous maintenance and perhaps a Scangage 2 are major factors in keeping these trucks problem-free.

Lou Braun

PS: Maintenance is really, really important.
PPS: Don't cheap out on aftermarket junk filters.
PPPS: Do all of the required maintainance items listed in the owners manual and those items mentioned in this forum.

 

Put a Cooolant filter on it

 

You can run wide open as long as you want. I put mine on cruise and let the truck pull the hills. Goes like a scared rabbit.

I have had my gaskets done with ARPs and I have had an Oil cooler failure. But I am at 150,000 and I still love my truck.

 

I wouls get a pryo gauge, then you would know for shure where you are at with your load. glow shift sells em for around $100, good investment.

 

MotoCamper, you did the best thing arphead studs, get the scan gauge and keep a eye on Trans temp,EOT ECT,temps when pullin,always check Alt, Batts and Ficm Volts,as far as what to pull weight, hell Chebys and dogs just move outa way,(no afencive to International) It all depends on your Tire Rateing and short or long bed,16000 shouldent be a prob , I do 23000/24000 and theres still room .

 

You can't get the EGT much over 1300 with a stock tune. I have tried. You will be fine, your torque for monitoring will work great. An added EGT would be nice, but after years of staring at mine pulling hills, I have yet to see it actually go over 1300. Main thing to watch for damage causing carnage is the boost. Anything sustained over 27 or 28 is going to cause issues. It's thought that working these motors hard is actually better for it, no stuck turbo, lots of good fuel, heat, your blue spring upgrade is also good for it. I think watching the gauges is a important thing. Especially those oil and water temps, FICM volts.

 

X2. Should have come stock!

 

Thanks for the responses!

Re:coolant filter
Do you guys still find debris in motors with high mileage that have been flushed?

Re: pyro
I have a BD X-monitor that came out of my 02, but the probe stayed with the truck. I just need to buy a new probe.

Re:boost
Is boost over 28 psi still considered unsafe when using ARP's?

Re:FICM
What is the minimum voltage that I should see?

 

Yes, over 28 psi is unsafe, because you don't have the fuel capacity in those injectors and don't want more heat than stock program. For towing, you don't want to run tuned anyway, way safer on stock programming. You have a pretty large trailer, your about 6000 lbs heavier than I am so I would be interested in the pyrometer if I could.

 

MotoCamper
Your EGT probe doesnt look like this 1 by chance (came from an Edge Evo)
Iam selling for only $35 (only used a few days) new are just over $100

 

Nah, my old one just had spade connectors on end and 1/4 npt threads (I think) on the straight probe. I think the X monitor looks for a certain length of wire to have an accurate reading.

 

No problem just thought id ask...Good luck

 

Thanks for posting it up, though.