<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> I have a 2004 Excursion that has 115,000 miles on it with leaking head gaskets and or cracked heads(no heat, producing over 16 psi cooling system pressure, using coolant)(no obvious coolant going out the exhaust but there is exhaust gas in the coolant). I replaced the head gaskets and installed ARP studs 3 years ago but for the life of me I can't recall if I used OEM gaskets or Black Onyx...

When I had my heads off last time there were several small cracks between the glow plug threads and valves on a couple of cylinders on each head. My machinist assured me this would not be an issue as they did not go into a coolant passage so I put them back on my truck.

My question for you guys is should I replace the heads this time around or just do gaskets?

If I replace the heads are any of the aftermarket heads quality units or should I just go with the OEM remanned units? I like the idea of increased material in areas of the heads that typically crack but that could just be a sales gimmick.


I will be using OEM gaskets this time around!
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You want to stay out of the Chinese aftermarket crap so
getting heads from Ford, International or a known trusty worthy
dealer is about the best step.

You need to park it nose down. Let it sit over night and pull the EGR
valve and look for moisture/coolant in the passage.
On the pressure test there is a way to read that test to tell if it's EGR vs head gasket.

If it turns out to be heads then you should have it checked for flatness and
a pressure test to see if the are any cracks.

You might want to talk to the people at BulletProofDiesel - Darn-Near Bullet Proof Diesel Products for your 6.0 and 6.4
about the heads.

Personally I would not take any cracks regardless of where they are.

You may want to check back in after the turkey comas are recovering
later in the day/evening.

Sean

 

Oem gaskets and ARP studs installed properly can take serious abuse. As for the cracks in the head from glow plug to valve my 350 had the same. About 80k miles of nasty mason love on the motor all is good. Put oem gaskets back in and have the heads fluxed to be sure. I'd bet you have bad gaskets and not oem.

 

The microcracks in and around the valve seats of the heads are really of no consequence, in fact I believe there is a Ford service bulletin on it. It's hard to know about heads until you take them to the machine shop and have them professionally checked. Flatness and thickness are the two things you have to seriously consider. It might be worth having hardened seats, new guides, and seals put in. As Brickie said, OEM gaskets FTW.....

 

Did the egr delete last time around but checked it just in case and it's not leaking.

Had the heads surfaced last time around so doubt they can take any more material without running into clearance issues.

Anyone know who sells the Chinese heads that need to be avoided? Or what name they go by?

 

Uh oh.

I haven't heard much good stuff from resurfacing heads. How much did they take off? Were they flycut smooth or rough tooling paths?

 

Kinda like the black onyx head gaskets, I didnt hear about the surfacing issues till after it was done and I was back on the road. Can't recall how they surfaced them or how much was removed. I know very little was removed, the machine shop said they were just out of tolerance.

 

I'm not sure how bad it is, how much taken off is to much, and stuff just the mention of it here and there. I would imagine if done right it shouldn't be an issue.

If you do have the black onyx gaskets shouldn't you be able to see it in the corners where the headgasket is exposed? Or is the black onyx "like OEM" with just sealant strips around ports and cylinders?

 

From what I've read it seems like .005 is the limit for decking the head.

 

What funny about that is with one end of the head in a vise (held stationary) if you put about 10-15 pounds of force on the other end it can flex that much.

 

I know its NOT a Good time of year for this BUT If you have the Funds get some new Heads and OEM Gaskets from Ford

The ARP are reusable so your good there

AutoNation/Old Tousley had Fulley Loaded Heads for $950.00 each

That would take all the worrey about the Cracks you had and How Much the Shop cut off the heads last time

 

Yep that's the route I think I am going to go. Mainly just wanted to see if there were any other head options out there that are reliable. I have been putting this project off long enough. Pulling the heads is a pain

 

Did your Headgasskets come with a KIT Last time???

If it was AfterMarket Kit then High chance they are the Black Onycs POS

 

No kit last time. I shopped around for the best prices and shipping on everything so stuff came from a few different vendors. At this point it doesn't mater since they have to be replaced.

 

Oh sure I am with Ya

just most kits come with the BO Gaskets