I would check on this also Bob. Moe's memory has proven very good many times.

Also, (just my opinion) a rebuilt and resurfaced head could be fine if done correctly. .005 or .010 off the deck will raise compression slightly but I don't think it would be enough to cause problems. Valve clearance is the big issue and a competent rebuilder would compensate at the valve seat to keep valve to piston clearances right (especially knowing he's doing a diesel head), and even the top of the valve stem to keep rocker geometry correct. A good tip off is shim washers under the springs in the valve spring seat. that would indicate the rebuilder had measured the spring installed height and corrected it. Common sense would also say removing material would make the head weaker but most parts have an engineered in excess. That is to say a part fails in testing at X thickness so it is produced at say X+20% to avoid premature failure.
It's true a used part takes a "set" in heating and cooling cycles it's an "old school" way of stress relieving major cast engine parts. It used to be common practice (probably still is) to buy a new engine and run it for a season in the tow vehicle then pull it out and rebuild it to put in the race car the following year. So your mechanic wasn't too far off base to want a used rebuilt head. It's (was?) Ford insisting on new heads for dealer repairs, and maybe some guys here who would agree, but again personally I think a properly rebuilt head would work fine.

 

Seasoning a casting is very old school! lol

I have seen guys buy brand new blocks and heads and let them sit out under a tarp and let them rust for a year. Then have the shop go through them before use.

Remaned heads are not an issue if the work is done right!!

 

Ford can't insist on a new head because everyone is right. They don't make new heads anymore. The 6.0 has so many problems, Ford has just decided to let them disappear in a timely manner and take NO responsibility for their screw-up. The owner has nothing to say but to deal with the problems and pay through the nose to keep this junk running. I am researching the time a auto company is required to provide new parts for a model year. I believe it is seven years. I believe 2007 is the last year for the 6.0.
I would think Ford makes more money fixing their mistakes than they do on the new truck they sell.
I'm into this truck for a shade over $35k not counting the $6k plus I am spending on these repairs. The truck had 65k miles on it when I bought it and I am sure the engine was messed up when I bought. I have put 25K since I bought it. When I bought the truck, there was a huge push for me to purchase the extended warranty and a wink wink with all that can go wrong with the truck. It would have had a scangauge, I could have checked the voltages and temperatures before I bought it.
You have to ask yourself, why would I buy a rebuilt head from Ford, if you can get one from a local machine shop with a good reputation. If something goes wrong with a Ford head, you can bet they won't take responsibility and there is nothing you can do about it. Just like the FICM issue: Would you buy a half-shell from Ford or send yours to Ed. That is a NO Brain-er...
I have been told by several machine shops, if you get over 60k miles without a cracked head, (one that causes engine failure because from what I have read, they all crack,) consider yourself lucky. And don't brag about it. I have a friend who tows a trailer up and down the west coast and he bragged to me how he had 120k on his with no problems. The last I heard from him is both heads had failed, he junked the truck and bought something else.
It is NOT a matter of IF but WHEN.

 

Ccouldn't help but notice about the used head tread, but doesn't International still have New Heads available? They should work it still a VG 365 motor correct?

 

That is a great idea that I never thought of when I went to buy mine. There is an International dealer that I buy parts from and drive past on my way home sometimes.

I just got off the phone with their parts dept and told them that I want to buy some new heads for my Ford 6.0 which is the VT365 but Ford is telling me that they only have remans and no new are available. I asked him if I can buy new from him and he said that Ford is telling me the truth. There are no new available, but he's 99.9% sure that the remans sold by Ford are probably the remans done by International themselves to their specs.

Good idea though.

 

International, so they aren't making new heads either?

 

That's what he told me, and he said they haven't been for a while.

 

Well it was worth a shot, I buddy does a lot of work with Manley and Jesel I gonna ask him to talk with a aftermarket head rep he knows and see if they have anything in the works for a great performance head or anything like that and if not, maybe he can stress the importance of meeting the 6.0 market. At least it's a start........Bill

 

These guys advertise brand-new castings for the 6.0 up to 2005. $875 loaded...

Sunwest Automotive Engines

 

I'd get the bare ones for 500.00 and O ring them at my guy's shop and be done with it.There's a 5 year warrantee on them

 

Hey Rusty, I think you meant Moe's memory, or Cheezit's, but I do want to give this comment a bump. If it is still valid that TSB could save a lot of guys a lot of money. Maybe I wouldn't have needed new heads if that was true.

Bismic, M-chan, Vloney, any one know or got any documents on what cracks in the cylinder heads are acceptable and what can slide?

 

You're absolutely right, Sorry Moe, I was typing faster than I could think I guess!? I know better.

 

as it turns out the tsb is no longer valid. the update on the tsb says refer to the updated service book. this can be found in section 303-01c genral procedures in fords on line workshop book

Cleaning and Visual Inspection

1. NOTE: The cylinder head cleaning and the cylinder head distortion check procedures are different than other engines. Watching the video prior to carrying out the procedure may be helpful if doing the procedure for the first time.

1. NOTE: It is important that the cylinder head be thoroughly cleaned prior to taking cylinder head distortion measurements. Failure to remove carbon deposits or other material from measurement areas will result in inaccurate measurements.
   Clean the cylinder head. For additional information, refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning in this section.

1. NOTE: Cylinder heads that contain carbon buildup in the coolant areas may show evidence of surface pitting when cleaned. Surface pitting in the coolant areas is not cause for replacement of the cylinder head.
   NOTE: Staining of the metal surface is normal and does not affect sealing ability.
   NOTE: Witness marks or indentations in the cylinder head resulting from the head gasket fire rings are normal and do not affect sealing ability.
   NOTE: The surface finish on the cylinder head may appear to contain "record grooves", which is a normal condition.
   NOTE: The cylinder head combustion chamber area may exhibit very small "surface fissures" or "microcracks" during a Magnaflux inspection process. These surface fissures or microcracks are typically located between the glow plug and the valve seats. They DO NOT extend into the coolant jacket and will not cause coolant loss or cooling system overpressurization. The presence of surface fissures or microcracks is not cause for replacement of the cylinder head.
   Inspect the cylinder head for obvious signs of damage or distortion.

 

maybe using a people that had access to good / current information would reduce your costs.
second I have worked on more 6.0l then most people on the board. I can tell you I have seen basicly near no heads with serface cracks that would require replacement. I have seen a few (mostly 05) trucks with one cracked head leading to fuel in coolant. any compatent tech could tell you what head is bad and what head is good and not sell you two heads. please dont make false statements about the quality of parts that you can not support. next if you didnt know ford did not build this engine navastar did, yes there are alot of lawsuits over this engine and many are unfounded. Most of the concerns I and many of us that do this every day have seen more damage from costumer abuse then anything else.

 

Being in the Marine industry ,I have to go with what Cheezit says on this one ,some owners are just down right hard on equipment because it is under warrentee or just don't care