In that case..lol

 

Hammer and vice. Can't go wrong

 

Some parts stores will "rent" you the tool. They put a charge on your card and then refund the charge when you bring it back.

I've used the u-joint press a lot in the past. Its just a large c-clamp you secure in a vise and use different size inserts to remove and install. If you take your time, 20 minutes is about right.

 

This.

It's really not a hard job. It took me about a half hour to do both on my Lincoln, but I was going slow and figuring it out as I went.

 

Wrap a rag around it soaked in penetrating oil overnight first or soak it in a pot of it if you can.

 

It depends on how rusty they are though.

 

So, My Ex has been going under the knife, getting a ton of engine work done. I just received an update from my mechanic, and here is what he has to say...

David,

Things coming along great, heads are at the machine shop, just waiting on them, tomorrow I'll do a few things like trans pan and external oil cooler, but after those i'll be waiting on the machine shop. I'm hoping to have her done for you on Monday the 16th but we'll see

only one "PIA" thing so far, the coolant hose tube off the front engine cover was corroded so bad I almost couldn't remove it (pic attached) luckily they're cheep but as you can see from the pic, there wasn't much life left, I'm surprised you hadn't had a problem already.

But things look amazing internally, all the cross hatches in the cylinder bores look like new, and everything is going smoothly. I'm doing a few other things for you too under my original quote; like Oil temp & pressure sensors (couldn't put myself to install old sensors in this nice and shiny new oil cooler by pass housing, and ICP sensor which is a PIA to do with out tearing down 1/2 the motor if it fails, which they commonly do.... ford was smart mid 04 to locate it on the passenger side valve cover they fail so much.

But other than that things going good, hope you have a great weekend!

Here are the photos he sent.



















Having a good, professional and caring mechanic is a thing of joy! I can't wait to get my Ex back, it will look the same, but be healthier than ever!

 

Wow! He's going at it without lifting the body off!


He's going to be cussing up a storm after he gets them studs in and try's to put the heads on I think.

 

It can be done. I know at least three people here that's have removed and replaced they heads on their 6.0.
It's a little tricky - but not that bad from what I hear.

 

You tape the studs into the heads and install as one unit. Once the heads are in place you screw the studs in, then install the washers and nuts.

No way ever never I would do it in the truck!

 

Yup. You have to be careful with rusty ones especially if you are using a press/clamp. Very easy to bend the ears.

Even on my not to bad X the rear joint was froze and had to be chiseled/drilled out.

 

Yeah i think ill just pay someone to do it...sounds cheaper than a new driveshaft

We did head gaskets on my truck without removing the cab

 

No reason you should need a new shaft. If you wanna take a drive up north I could give you a hand with it. It's really not a big deal to do a U-joint.

 

From what I understand, he was one of the first mechanics around here who has mastered doing the heads without taking the body/cab off. He is in so much demand, that he limits it to one 6.0 overhaul a month, and he is normally booked two to three months out...

Really not bad for a little family owned two person shop. Just him and his wife wrenching away.

If anyone is interested in a good mechanic out here on the northern Oregon coast, here is his webpage: Seaside Muffler & Off Road

and facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seasid...32267233489258

 

Today I got new new tires on the black Excursion, the white one got a new alternator on the side of the road a few days ago. I also took pictures of both of them.



Stock Excursion flex