Well a buddy of mine(has been and still is a mechanic for 15 yrs) Claims you CANNOT do headgaskets on a 6.0 with regular tools TQ wrenches, pullers,sockets,wrenches.

Besides pulling the cab,( does that really need to be done?) are there really and special tools required?

 

I think everyone is gone for Thanksgiving. There are several good threads on here about doing HGs in the driveway without pulling the cab. I've read them but never tried myself. They did not have special tools - it did seem like it took them weeks to accomplish. I know you need a torque wrench that goes to 245ft lbs if you do ARP studs. You need a big fan wrench if you want that out of the way. I would PM one of the guys who have done this and ask them about the tools. I think one of the threads was called Head Gaskets with cab on. Sorry I don't know more

 

Cab doesn't need to be pulled, some prefer to do it, some don't. Some pull the hvac. I've never done this yet, I will someday, and it won't be with the cab pulled - I don't have the equipment to lift it.

 

No special tools required, I did mine in my yard over a weekend. The hardest thing was finding a torque wrench that was rated for 245lbs and would actually hold up to it. I went through three torque wrenches during the job. Grant it they were all auto parts store and lowes tools so breakage was inevitable.

Watch what you use for leverage if you do it with the engine in and cab on though. I have two dents in my passenger side fender from where I had my knees while I was pulling the torque wrench.

It pisses me off everytime I look at them!!!

 

I had everything I needed in my tool box except the larger torx drives. Get an assortment of torx, 20, 25, 27, 30 for the small stuff and 40, 45, 47, 50 (can't remember but the oil filter base takes something in the 40ish range)

The nuts for the ARP studs are 18mm 12 point I think. The ford head bolts are regular 6 point heads.

I borrowed a torque wrench from a friend and it held up to the task. It was a 1/2" drive and was too short for the job of torqing the head studs. I hear a larger size drive has a longer arm and would be a plus. I could only pull to the second stage of torque and used leg power to finish, not the best way to do it. I tried standing in front and to the side of the truck but even with my wife holding me I still came off the ground while trying to torque the studs! I'm only 180# but if you are a 250#er it might work for you.

I did the job in my driveway, in truck, HVAC in place. It was a challenge!

Check my post on doing my Excursion. It's just one way to do it not requiring lifting or moving the engine. You may choose to go a different route but this was the best choice for me.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-back-in.html

Good luck and if you want any other info about the HVAC box side cover removal let me know.

 

We have manuals in PDF to give you an idea. Injector harness removal tool is a socket, use your imagination when it comes to special tools. A fan wrench and as everyone mentioned a torque wrench big enough, are the most important.

 

Not sure about why the fan wrench, I didn't touch anything on the front of the engine. Maybe I missed something there I should have done?

I am a newbie of sorts to working on the 6.0 and all I know is what I have done and the info on this forum.

People such as Maxium4x4, bismic, chezit(sp?) are a WEALTH of information and I read their posts daily. Even if I have not had a particular problem YET, I learn something useful from them that may help me avoid a problem in the future.

To make the head gasket job easier as I went along, I kept several threads open on my PC and the 6.0 Bible so that I could refer to them. One thing I learned from overhauling the stern drive engine in my boat TAKE TONS OF PICS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER.

I used my pics to help during re-assembly, and others may find them useful.

 

The fan wrench is a nice addition to your special tools. It also depends on what method you choose when removing the heads whether you are going to need it or not. One day, after looking at bloody knuckles, you are going to be wondering why you didn't buy that fan wrench........ Just a short note: After having to custom fabricate one for such an occasion on my 7.3L, I did not make that mistake when I bought my 6.0.

 

Used a large pipe wrench to get the fan nut loose. Used a 19 mm deep socket to get the injector connectors out of the heads. No special tools needed. Putting my engine back together.