Blue spring redo?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Blue spring redo?
Does the blue spring ever need replaced? I ask because I don't have a way to monitor my fuel pressure and the spring was changed about 24,000 miles ago and I have no way of knowing what that pressure actually is....and since it's recommended to do the blue spring when we buy the truck, it's never mentioned how long before that spring weakens and needs replaced...if ever.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
Technically, if the manufacturing was done correctly it should be good for at least 200k. I've had stock springs stay in the 50-55 range for over 100k without any signs of fatigue. But if you've ever been involved in rebuilding heads you know there always is some fatigue with valve springs.
Some of the "blue springs" in the aftermarket are not in International/Ford packages, so life will depend on how well the supplier who makes them, proper metallurgy and tempering. So for any meaningful responses members would have to state if those were "factory" items or from an aftermarket source.
Right now my factory spring runs 52lbs hot, 57lbs cold in the temperate range, and 63lbs cold when ambient is in the freezing range, with being in my truck for 65k miles. Not sure if the engine rebuilder used new or reused springs.
Some of the "blue springs" in the aftermarket are not in International/Ford packages, so life will depend on how well the supplier who makes them, proper metallurgy and tempering. So for any meaningful responses members would have to state if those were "factory" items or from an aftermarket source.
Right now my factory spring runs 52lbs hot, 57lbs cold in the temperate range, and 63lbs cold when ambient is in the freezing range, with being in my truck for 65k miles. Not sure if the engine rebuilder used new or reused springs.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
Good info Jack, if I weren't in rep jail, I'd rep you.
Mine had to be replaced even though it was first installed back in 2008. The pump died December 2013 not long after I got the truck and it wasn't until early Fall of 2015 that I decided to replace the spring. When I did, I almost couldn't believe the difference. The spring had indeed worn out and was causing my fuel pressure to drop.
I didn't go with the Ford fuel spring, but with an after market one on ebay that is so far holding up quite well.
Jack is correct in that depends on who makes it and how the spring is made that determines how long it will last. This is why a fuel pressure gauge is important on a 6.0.
Mine had to be replaced even though it was first installed back in 2008. The pump died December 2013 not long after I got the truck and it wasn't until early Fall of 2015 that I decided to replace the spring. When I did, I almost couldn't believe the difference. The spring had indeed worn out and was causing my fuel pressure to drop.
I didn't go with the Ford fuel spring, but with an after market one on ebay that is so far holding up quite well.
Jack is correct in that depends on who makes it and how the spring is made that determines how long it will last. This is why a fuel pressure gauge is important on a 6.0.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Thanks, Although my replacement was in 'Ford' packaging and came from Tousley's I suppose it still could have came from an less then reliable manufacturer so a fuel pressure gauge is in my future.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Ahhhh, I too believed it to be an original Ford part...but I suppose a fuel pressure gauge would not be a bad thing, at least I'd know for sure the spring was doing it's job.
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