I wanted to see it the head gasket issue has been fixed on my truck. Is there a way to tell if the head bolts have been replaced by studs?

I am worried, I bought the Hypertech Max Energy and do not want to explode my engine.

Thanks for the input.

 

The bottom row of studs/bolts is outside the valve covers and exposed.. Here's a pic from the driver's side looking down at an ARP stud..



Of course, a bolt will have a regular head, and a stud will look like threads sticking up with a 12pt nut on them..

 

Great picture thanks! But I am not real sure what I am looking at. I'll take a look in the morning and see what I can see.

Does anyone have a "before" picture so I could compare?

 

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Got it! could not tell what I was looking at, at first

 

If the mod has been done should I be OK to add a programmer?

 

Check out the first pic on this page for location clarification..

 

If the job was done right, yes.. A good stud job can take much more than just a programmer..

 

Great news. Just hope the job has been done already.

I am new to the 6.0 world. So I am going to have to learn ALOT.

 

the actual gaskets themselves are very good, it is the bolts that cause the problems, really should be re badged as a head bolt problem and not a head gasket problem

 

Well bad news. The are still held on with bolts.

Now what?

Do I risk putting a programer on it? What are my options? It has 118,000 miles on it, ccould it be said it would hace had a problem allready?

 

programer may or may not streatch the bolts. They could already be bad and you just dont know it yet. there are tons of people running programers and still have the stock bolts with no issues. I did for a long time. but if I may suggest dont go with the hypermax go with SCT, and get custom tunes. Trust me you will be much happier and so will your truck. 6.0's really dont like off the self "canned tunners". You need to go to something that dose custom tunes. I like Eric @ innovative diesel. he writes some of the best tunes for these trucks. and as far as your heads go if you treat her good she will do the same. dont get to crazy with it.

 

I have been searching for a while on this topic and you just about answered my question. I am not studded but want to get a tune from eric to turn off the high idle and add a little power. I am not looking for anything crazy just enough to help turn my 35s a little better. Is his street tune to aggressive with out studs? should i just go with his economy tune? any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Since you have bolts, get an OASIS report and see if the OEM TTY bolts and HGs have been replaced.

With that many miles, you are probably asking for trouble with a tuner. If you have the original hardware, and want to install a tuner either consider replacing the bolts with studs or replace the HGs and install studs. IMO, that decision would be based on how long you plan on keeping the truck. A stud + HG job will run you about $2500 to $3500 unless you do it yourself. While you are at it you might as well rebuild the oil cooler and replace the EGR cooler.

Studs, HGs, oil cooler and EGR cooler will last you a long time even with that many miles and a tuner.

DSMMH

 

So how do I get an OASIS report? I know its a dealer only item. Should I just post a thread asking if some one can run one for me?

 

go to ford with your vin number and they should run one for you.