do the heads need to be resurfaced or not?
or do they have to be replaced read somewhere that ford oem specs doesnt allow for resurfacing....

 

They can be checked with a machinist straight edge and feeler gauge. I have read a spec on here of 0.002in. Seem awful low. Even with good tools and proper skills that's hard to measure. I worked in a machine shop for a couple of years and most iorn heads were good at 0.006-0.008in. Some had tighter factory specs. I remember rebuilding a head from a Volvo boat engine that had a factory spec of 0.000.

I think you are correct on replacement. If it's bowed or twisted Ford replaces them rather than re-surface. it's a big piece and if it's bowed or twisted it has seen some high stress or was not cast properly when new. It may also be that re-surfacing reduces the size of the combustion chamber (slightly) and raises compression. That could effect emissions (slightly). Higher compression would also put more stress on the torque to yield head bolts Ford would put them back on with.

The heads do not require surface grinding for a proper seal. A good clean-up will do fine. I would have a competent shop checked for straightness, cracks and install new valve stem seals (you can install the seals at home with a relatively inexpensive special tool to compress the valve springs). If they are bowed or twisted .002 or less they can be re-installed according to Ford. My opinion is the could be .005-.006 and still be ok if head studs are used. More than that I would have them resurfaced. If straightening them up requires the removal of more than .020in I would replace them. Again, that is my opinion.

 

well said rusty! reps sent. i read somewhere tat there's a specific measurement on those headgaskets. ur right on the fact tat ford usually replaces those. to the OP, u can actually purchase new headgaskets and replace those urself.

 

sorry rusty. tried giving u reps. i tink i got rep'd out.

 

ya the .002 seems tight but you have to measure them in 14 spots and none of the are length wise

 

rusty- you cant increase the compression by shaving these heads. there is no chamber (on the head) to speak of.

 

well there is a small chamber. but at 17.5 one begs the question as to why would you.
the spec for deck hight really leaves no room for cutting them anyway. I have seen only a few bad sets of heads to date.

 

not counting the small volume gained where there is a valve, my new heads from ford, as well as my original 03 heads were FLAT. absolutely no combustion chamber in the head. are the late 6.0 models different?

 

no there flat as can be. just the little shpot were the valve is.

 

I thought there was a depression in the center where the injector nozzle is. If not-my bad.

 

there and for the glowplug as well. still they are pretty flat.