I recently test drove a 2007 6.0 with 77K miles on it that was at a dealer relatively near me. It spent it's life in Texas and was in fantastic shape rust wise. I was very impressed how nice it looked. Then I popped the hood. Degas bottle was empty and it had signs of prior coolant puking. Long story short the dealer at their "diesel tech" look at it and confirmed my suspicion that the head gaskets were blown.

I would normally walk away at that point but the rest of the truck is in great shape and the dealer seems mildly interested in negotiating in it's current shape. I would rather buy the truck "as is" and have it repaired myself then to have them do it.

I'm getting a couple of quotes and part lists from a few diesel shops so I can come up with a true value for the truck in it current shape to negotiate with.

The dealer claims the heads are in good shape. I'm still waiting on how they know as I don't think they pulled them. They may have pressure/leak tested them but I don't think that is a definitive test in if they are "good" or not.

Anyway assuming that they are correct and the heads just need decked and not replaced does the list of parts/labor etc below seem reasonable?

Ford 20mm head gaskets (2)- $312
ARP headstud kit - $450
STC updated fitting - $48
Standpipe and dummy plug kit - $112
Ford blue spring fuel regulator kit - $40
Ford injector o-ring kit (8) - $40
Exhaust manifold gasket (2)- $25
Manifold bolts (16) - $16
Turbo reinstall kit - $10
Turbo drain tube - $27
Filters (oil and fuel) - $52
Oil and coolant - $150
Misc supplies/parts - $100
Labor - $1800
Machine shop (magnaflux and deck heads) - $850 - not sure on the cost to do both heads
Total: $4032

Some other items I'm not sure of are:
Turbo updated feed line - I think the 2007 got this already?
Oil cooler - The current cooler seemed fine and deltas on test drive seemed good. I may do this anyway but I don't think it is "necessary"?

Other notes:
EGR delete - It may already have it done but if not I would do this myself anyway.
Coolant filter - It already had one from XDP.

 

The 07 has the updated turbo drain (as well as the feed).

This would be a good time to install fumoto block drains.

Probably wouldn't hurt to install a new oil cooler. Ford did an upgrade on it (one additional cooling row).

I would probably replace the heater hoses even though there aren't that many miles on the engine. Same with glow plugs and glow plug harnesses.

No return regulated fuel system? At least install a fuel pressure sensor and gauge. How about an exhaust gas temperature sensor and gauge also?

Oh - and how about re-sealing the injectors?

 

For what is described, that doesn't seem like a bad deal for getting a 6.0 PROPERLY studded. I worked for a used car/truck lot that sold a lot of 6.0s for a couple of months, since my normal line of work was slow at the time. They would stud a 6.0 for $2500.

that being said, this was a shady used car lot. They did not have the heads machined, let alone test them for flatness. They would disassemble and then reassemble with cheap, unknown brand head gaskets and the ARP studs. I even got into an argument with one of the mechanics over it. He was saying studs were just as prone to failure as the OEM head bolts. The studs installed there were prone to failure, but it was due to improper preperation, cheap gaskets, and ignoring any and all warped heads. It was cheap though.

If i were to buy another 6.0 and it was time for studs, i wouldn't have a problem paying 4 grand to have it done right and not worry about it again.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. My main goal was to come up with a reasonable part list and cost to use as a basis for negotiations with the dealer. If I did all this I would probably do the oil cooler, glow plugs and harness but left it out of the negotioed price since it wouldn't be essential to getting the truck to a working state. I'm trying to be reasonably fair.

Would there be much of an advantage to doing a regulated return if I'm mainly going to keep tuning stock?

You have a link to a reseal kit? I just found an o-ring kit.

 

The $4k was estimated by me. I did hear back from a couple of shops after I posted this. Both were in the $4k-$5k depending on how many "while you're in there" parts I wanted to throw in so I was in the ballpark.

If this where a gas engine I would probably do all the work myself (except the machining of course) but haven't been inside a 6.0 or a diesel for that matter.

 

Re-sealing injectors is just a kit for each one. $7 x8 kits. 4 o-rings, the top seal and the copper.

 

I think I got that already on my part list. This is the kit I priced out.

Motorcraft 6.0L Injector O-rings 03-07 - Riffraff Diesel Performance

 

That works. There is another kit available that includes the injector top seal that seals the nipple cup to injector contact.

Also, I'd consider doing the nipple cups themselves if they are loose.

 

The dealer seems like they are going to do the repairs instead of selling it to me "as-is". I don't trust it will be done properly and they increased their asking price which is starting to creep into the absurd even if the repairs are done properly. I'm sure they will maximize their profit this way by doing a cheap repair good enough to get it out the door and down the road.

Oh well. I guess I'll keep looking. Thanks for all the input guys. It help me be informed and not over reach on price.

 

The one problem going into the deal was not knowing if the heads were OK. If not that could have added significantly to your cost.

 

$1200-$2000 a head from Ford IIRC from a few threads...

There is a guy local(within 100 miles) that does a stud job for 3K all Ford parts, heads machined, valve job and milled with ARP studs. As long as your heads are not cracked he switches your heads out with one of 10 sets he keeps on hand.

5-10 day turn around time once you can get in the door. Usually a 2-6 week wait.

The other shop I use that is 25 miles away quoted 3-6k and a 3 week window.

YMMV from shop to shop!

 

I'm in NE Ohio so good info to know. It's a bit of a moot point now though. Dealer said they were going to fix it but I am not sure I have greatest confidence in what they will do. Still trying to negotiate with them.