Okay, long time away from this forum, but I am looking into getting another 6.0L I currently have an 01 Dodge 2500 diesel....Never gets driven more than towing my boat on the weekends and to the dump....but I am getting tired of the 4 speed trans and the ext cab, I want a crew cab.....

Anyways a neighbor has a friend who would be willing to trade me his 05 6.0 for mine-meeting up tonight, BUT he said its making coolant...Diesel fuel in coolant, he said it will just need injector cups and problem will be solved...

I've read a BUNCH of different opinions online, anyone know what I would be leaning towards heads or cups?

If its heads I probably wont even entertain it.....

 

He's willing to give you a set of problems for free? Tempting...but I would have to know more before moved on that offer.

 

Condition wise the 6.0 would be MUCH cleaner then my Cummins now, my doors are rotted, bed is starting to rot, and the front fender...

Plus is a crew cab, I see that there are a few repair options for this issue even if its a head issue....I am going to at least check it out

 

There is a tool to do the cups with heads on, its rentable, do all instead of just one, cups are cheap, other option pull heads take to machine shop, how does he know its justa cup and not a cracked head at the cup area?

 

Thing is he doesn't know if its a cracked head or cup, it could be either, or both.....

I read online its usually the pass side 2nd or 3rd cylinder back I have no issues doing the work what so ever.....I just didn't know if the cups or heads are the culprit(more one than the other)

I found this kit 6.0L Powerstroke Cylinder Head Repair Kit and seem people have good luck with it

 

Understood. I'd check it out too. Don't let him inspect your Dodge too closely, , he might have second thoughts...

Heads are never off the table in this kinda situation, especially with the 6.0 liter series. Even if it were heads (assuming you're a do-it-yourselfer), heads/gaskets/studs will make it a great truck and you can do some other stuff while you're in there if you don't need it up and running immediately. '05 platform is a great start IMO.

good luck

 

Fuel in coolant is never an easy fix or cheap either. I bet heads or head gaskets, not to mention other potential internal issues if driven much after. I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
After I replaced the head on my daughters Mini a few years back due to a cracked head, the camshaft lobes had sever wear issues do to the contamination.
There's got to be more to this issue.

 

Its not going to break my heart if we don't trade, I have no issue keeping my truck, and buying a 6.0 he's supposed to be a huge dodge guy so we will see....

I have had 2 6.0s previously and studded and deleted them both, did the same on one of my duramaxes, so the mechanical labor isn't an issue....I have just never dealt with injector cups myself

 

99% sure a blown head gasket wouldn't mix fuel with coolant

 

Personally I would get a solid book value on both trucks condition, find out the difference and then figure what a head R and R and all that it will entail(SP's and DP's, and might as well throw studs in if not done already) is going to cost you, then ask yourself if it's still worth it.

If he is willing to trade down four years to an old Cummins then the odds are it's going to benefit him more to trade even over.

 

If he's willing to trade and downgrade to the Dodge then he already knows his Ford needs a $5,ooo head job.
I'd just factor in that you're going to be replacing the head/s and then figure if it's worth it to you.

 

Downgrade? More like an upgrade since my Dodge doesn't need $5,000 in head work

 

Don't let his size intimidate you! If you don't want to go thru with the deal, you don't have to

 

It sounds like you made up your mind then.

 

Well, according to what you said about his truck being "MUCH cleaner" and that your truck is rotting etc, it's easy to assume that your Dodge is kinda falling apart and the Ford is pretty clean, but that's just an assumption.

What navstarnut said makes the most sense to me. Do a book on both vehicles, considering mileage and condition of both vehicles. Then, as you said you are mechanically able to do the job yourself, figure the cost of a rebuilt head (worst case scenario) and R&R sets to do the job against the value of the Ford. Then figure what it would cost YOU to clean the Dodge up to a comparable condition of the Ford. Do the math, then decide if you're interested. Seems like commons sense to me.

Whether it's an upgrade or not depends on if it is an upgrade to you. If after doing the math it looks like a downgrade to you, then keep the Dodge.