270k 05 6.0 with bad headgaskets.... repair or rebuild
#1
03-16-2018, 11:42 AM
270k 05 6.0 with bad headgaskets.... repair or rebuild
I bought this truck (05 excrusion) figuring it had bad headgaskets. This truck was meticulously maintained with consistent oil changes (have almost all receipts from all 270k miles). Heads have never been off of the truck
It has bad headgaskets. 5 new injectors, new oil cooler, STC and blue spring. etc... and engine runs great with ZERO blowby.
Should I throw 1500-2k at it and put headgaskets in it (resurface heads, new pushrods)
As opposed to pulling the engine and doing a full rebuild? My main concern is lifters but with the engine being original, (so shouldn't have the typical issues engines that engines that had gaskets done do with the pushrods causing lifter failure) and having great maintainence, do you guys feel its worth doing just gaskets/headstuds?
It has bad headgaskets. 5 new injectors, new oil cooler, STC and blue spring. etc... and engine runs great with ZERO blowby.
Should I throw 1500-2k at it and put headgaskets in it (resurface heads, new pushrods)
As opposed to pulling the engine and doing a full rebuild? My main concern is lifters but with the engine being original, (so shouldn't have the typical issues engines that engines that had gaskets done do with the pushrods causing lifter failure) and having great maintainence, do you guys feel its worth doing just gaskets/headstuds?
#2
03-16-2018, 12:14 PM
#4
03-16-2018, 12:37 PM
I guess I'm looking for guys that have experience with high mileage 6.0s. I am keeping the excursion long term and want it to be reliable. I understand for the ultimate reliability a full rebuild would be the way to go but I am also looking for value. If I have a good bottom end and can get 40-80k trouble free miles with just headgaskets I would be happy.
I understand there is no surefire way to know that, just looking for opinions.
I understand there is no surefire way to know that, just looking for opinions.
#5
03-16-2018, 01:13 PM
I’m sitting with a motor apart with a collapsed lifter, not a bearing issue.
With a good assembly line block deck, if you want to do the lifters the motor has to come out or the trans out, along with the heads which you’ll be doing anyway. I’d pull the motor so the block deck can be addressed properly. With your mileage on the heads there’s a good chance there are cracks. That can be corrected by inserting new seats and machining, or new heads altogether. So that’s a decision tree that’s going to happen once the heads are out. This just isn’t an easy motor to refresh, the bucks add quickly especially with surprises. I went in thinking I was going to open from the bottom to replace the bad lifter, button up with low investment and move on. The more you get in, the more the quicksand deepens.
With a good assembly line block deck, if you want to do the lifters the motor has to come out or the trans out, along with the heads which you’ll be doing anyway. I’d pull the motor so the block deck can be addressed properly. With your mileage on the heads there’s a good chance there are cracks. That can be corrected by inserting new seats and machining, or new heads altogether. So that’s a decision tree that’s going to happen once the heads are out. This just isn’t an easy motor to refresh, the bucks add quickly especially with surprises. I went in thinking I was going to open from the bottom to replace the bad lifter, button up with low investment and move on. The more you get in, the more the quicksand deepens.
#6
03-16-2018, 03:22 PM
Postmaster
I guess I'm looking for guys that have experience with high mileage 6.0s. I am keeping the excursion long term and want it to be reliable. I understand for the ultimate reliability a full rebuild would be the way to go but I am also looking for value. If I have a good bottom end and can get 40-80k trouble free miles with just headgaskets I would be happy.
I understand there is no surefire way to know that, just looking for opinions.
I understand there is no surefire way to know that, just looking for opinions.
I don't think that should be an area of huge concern unless you have some smoking gun telling you otherwise.
#7
03-16-2018, 05:28 PM
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#9
03-17-2018, 09:19 AM
I see your location is near York PA... If you end up deciding to take the heads/block to a machine shop, I highly recommend Harschman Automotive in Smithsburg MD. They did my engine in the fall and it was perfect. PM me if you want to discuss details .
i had all cyls bored .020 over, block decked, heads checked and decked, all new valve stem seals, a few new valves, and my intake manifold steam cleaned for about $1800.
i had all cyls bored .020 over, block decked, heads checked and decked, all new valve stem seals, a few new valves, and my intake manifold steam cleaned for about $1800.
#10
03-17-2018, 01:30 PM
Lead Driver
With those many miles I'd pull the engine out for the head gaskets and all new lifters, pushrods, inspect/replace rocker components. Id also consider resealing the bedplate and inspecting the main bearings.
Having a lifter fail, which we all know occurs, after doing just head gaskets on a high mile engine will ruin the weekend (along with other parts).
Having a lifter fail, which we all know occurs, after doing just head gaskets on a high mile engine will ruin the weekend (along with other parts).
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