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Metal intercooler pipe

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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:03 PM
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Question Metal intercooler pipe

My truck has a Plastic Drivers side intercooler pipe. I discovered there is a metal replacement pipe for the drivers side 6C3Z6C646A. was this an update from Ford? does the metal pipe offer better flow?

Riffraff Diesel: Driver Side Metal Intercooler CAC Tube Kit


 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:06 PM
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No better flow, but I don't think it fails like the plastic pipe does.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:11 PM
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It's not an update, it's a retro-date; they used to come from the factory with a metal pipe then changed to plastic later.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by texastech_diesel
It's not an update, it's a retro-date; they used to come from the factory with a metal pipe then changed to plastic later.

but its got a 6c3z part #
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:21 PM
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From Ford, the part number is 6C3Z-6C640-AA.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:25 PM
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I don't know the rhyme or reason behind Ford's random changing PNs for stuff or how they decide to label things, but I've worked on a 2003 6.0L that came with a metal pipe, while my '07 came with plastic, the change was somewere in 2004, maybe the '05 change to the heads. Ford first installed metal and later installed plastic, so you're installed a part from an earlier build, it wasn't something Ford or International released as an updated part. Either work.

Edit: what I'm trying to say it that it wasn't released as an update to fix a problem, it's just the way they did it the first time. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the plastic tube. If it's broken the metal one would be a good change, if it's not then why fix something that isn't broken.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by texastech_diesel
I don't know the rhyme or reason behind Ford's random changing PNs for stuff or how they decide to label things, but I've worked on a 2003 6.0L that came with a metal pipe, while my '07 came with plastic, the change was somewere in 2004, maybe the '05 change to the heads. Ford first installed metal and later installed plastic, so you're installed a part from an earlier build, it wasn't something Ford or International released as an updated part. Either work.

Edit: what I'm trying to say it that it wasn't released as an update to fix a problem, it's just the way they did it the first time. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the plastic tube. If it's broken the metal one would be a good change, if it's not then why fix something that isn't broken.
Yeah, I get what you are saying.... and I seem to remember seeing some older trucks (2003/2004) with metal drivers side pipes. I just assumed those would have different part#s
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by m-chan68
From Ford, the part number is 6C3Z-6C640-AA.

is that for the drivers or passenger side tube?
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 96_F250_Deezal
is that for the drivers or passenger side tube?
That would be the COLD side CAC tube which includes the pipe with rubber ends and new clamps, on the driver side of the engine, and installs in place of the the plastic tube for those who desire it.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by m-chan68
That would be the COLD side CAC tube which includes the pipe with rubber ends and new clamps, on the driver side of the engine, and installs in place of the the plastic tube for those who desire it.
Interesting stuff... from what I can tell 6C3Z-6C640-AA comes with newer/updated boots and clamps.

6C3Z-6C646-A is an older part that was used on 2003/early 2004 trucks and comes with older style black boots and clamps.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 04:45 PM
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also.. it appears the 6C3Z-6C646-A was part of a customer satisfaction program (recall?)

DTS Articles - Recall in Review - Customer Satisfaction Program 05B29
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 04:49 PM
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or maybe 6C3Z-6C640-AA supersedes 6C3Z-6C646-A

"On 2004/05 trucks that exhibit the cold side hose/pipe blowing off at the intake manifold, replace the plastic tube with part #6C3Z-6C640-AA as in recall 05B29 (trucks built from 12-15-03 to 4-1-04), or repair as in TSB # 05-22-3 (trucks built from 4-1-05). Clean the intercooler and intake flange with brake parts cleaner. Seat the hose/pipe onto the intake manifold and torque the clamp to 9 ft/lbs (12 NM). Broadcast Message 1329, TSB 04-20-9, TSB 05-22-3."

link to full article; 6.0 PowerStroke bulletins
 
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