Just wanted to say "HI". I'm a new member and have been doing a lot of reading on your site. Great information, my Thanks to all who take the time to share their information. I own a 2005 F350, 6.0, 4x4, CC, LB, 11500 GVW. I've always owned a Ford F250 starting in 1977, they have all been gas. This is my first diesel. The mods on my truck are: Banks 6 Gun with Speed Loader, Banks High Ram Intake and air filter, Banks Intercooler, Banks Monster Exhaust, (Icon)Donahue Racing 4in Lift, AMP Power Step, Vision camper shell. Truck runs great, has no problem towing my 10,000 lb trailer. I also own a 79 F250 with a built 400, C-6 and an 87 Turbo Coupe with a 88 Mustang 302, 96 Cobra 5 speed.

Reading on your site the next thing I better do is add a coolant filter and flush and change my coolant. Any other immediate ideas?

 

Sorry I don't have any ideas for you, just wanted to welcome you to the forum. For engine ideas, you might have better luck down in the 6.0 forum.
Stick around, and enjoy.

 

Coolant flush and adding a coolant filter is a good idea. Did you just buy the truck? If so, id change the oil and change the fuel filters to.. For a 6.0 to last, maintenance is key. Meaning chaning your oil every 5k and fuel filters every 10k.. Maintenance on a 6.0 is cheap insurance compared to what can happen if you dont take care of your motor

 

I've had the truck for awhile. I work out of town so it gets serviced by Ford. The oil gets changed at around 4000 every time. Truck now has 59000 on it. The 6 Gun is usually on 2 for just driving and on 3 when I'm pulling the trailer. To be honest I can run it on standby because the truck has plenty of power with the intake and exhaust mods.

 

And i forgot to mention, id get rid of the banks tuner.. They do nothin but harm to your trans

 

I haven't had any transmission problems yet. Transmission is serviced every 10,000 miles. This setup was installed by a Banks dealer in Los Angeles. The changes to the air system- intake, air filter, intercooler, and exhaust were necessary because of the tuner and speedloader to keep the EGT down. The truck is not abused, has never been above 3 and only briefly. It has plenty of power with the tuner in standby. I have a hot rod F250 and my 87 Turbo Coupe if I want to go fast. I will admit these things are high maintenance. I wish I knew more about them. Just spent $450 at Ford on an oil leak. Thanks for the information, definitely appreciated.

 

Do you still have the stock head bolts on that 6.0L?

 

As far as I know the answer is yes.

 

I'd check and get some good head studs on it as soon as you could afford it.

 

I've got a lot to learn about these things. The more I read the worse it seems to get. I've always stuck with what I know that's why I still have my 79 F250. It's on the 3rd motor. Oil leaks, fuel delivery, head bolts- no problem. The 87 TBird was a challenge- replace a turbo 2.3 with a 5.0.

Everyone I know just takes it to Ford but I would like to know why I'm taking it there. The $450 oil leak fix is my first lesson. They replaced the drivers side glow plug harness. And now I have another leak. Neither of my other vehicles have any type of leak. Never have. I don't mind spending my money on quality parts, pays off in the long run.

How much of a problem is it to replace the head bolts on one of these things? Cost? If it gets to this point what about head gaskets? Every time I open the hood on this thing I cringe. I really like the truck, looks and runs great, and I keep it that way. It has been on plenty of job sites, slogging through mud, but I don't make that a practice. Cleaning the thing will wear you out.

I would like to learn how to work on it myself and fix the issues I'm capable of. I'm not a kid anymore with unlimited resources. I am mechanical, I'm an electrician and build hospitals, power plants, high rises for a living so there are things that I can fix. I don't want to get in over my head and end up with it sitting in my driveway in pieces. I have a neighbor with one like that.

Are there any books that you recommend? I have a Ford 2005 DVD on the truck. Any reasonable test equipment? I really appreciate the help.