First model year
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: AK
First model year
Alright so I bought an 03 F250 6.0L with 146,000 miles on it. It's had head suds done, about $9000 worth of motor work/"bulletproofing" done 2 years ago, and a $4000 transmission upgrade done about the same time. I'll post pics of the invoices so y'all can see what they did, but my question is, being a first model year, what do I need to be aware of or looking out for? I've had 7.3s for years, just stepping into the 6.0 world and hoping I made a good call to do so...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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What does "bulletproofing" mean specifically? Is it just an EGR delete or more? What kind of EGR delete does it have?
Tell us more about this $4000 transmission upgrade if you can!
If you do not have a fuel pressure gauge, then you need one. Low fuel pressure can kill injectors. Ford sells an upgraded fuel pressure regulator spring, but you may or may not need it.
You also need to keep the batteries and alternator healthy at all times. Low voltage can kill the FICM.
Use only Ford filters and make sure the oil filter cap is an OEM oil filter cap.
Take a pic of the engine and post it. That sometimes sparks some comments.
Tell us more about this $4000 transmission upgrade if you can!
If you do not have a fuel pressure gauge, then you need one. Low fuel pressure can kill injectors. Ford sells an upgraded fuel pressure regulator spring, but you may or may not need it.
You also need to keep the batteries and alternator healthy at all times. Low voltage can kill the FICM.
Use only Ford filters and make sure the oil filter cap is an OEM oil filter cap.
Take a pic of the engine and post it. That sometimes sparks some comments.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
From: AK
If you do not have a fuel pressure gauge, then you need one. Low fuel pressure can kill injectors. Ford sells an upgraded fuel pressure regulator spring, but you may or may not need it.
You also need to keep the batteries and alternator healthy at all times. Low voltage can kill the FICM.
Use only Ford filters and make sure the oil filter cap is an OEM oil filter cap.
Take a pic of the engine and post it. That sometimes sparks some comments.
You also need to keep the batteries and alternator healthy at all times. Low voltage can kill the FICM.
Use only Ford filters and make sure the oil filter cap is an OEM oil filter cap.
Take a pic of the engine and post it. That sometimes sparks some comments.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,916
Likes: 3,635
The aluminum caps are nice and I assume they are the same dimensions as OEM (it is important that they are). They are a nice upgrade, but were too expensive for me. I have never had issues w/ the plastic caps (217k miles on my truck).
WIX (and others) makes a tall cap and filter combination. They state on the box to not re-use the cap. Many people ignore that and re-use the cap. When an OEM filter is installed, it isn't long enough to close the oil drain valve at the bottom of the oil filter canister. That can cause quite a few problems! In general, you are better off w/ OEM filters.
The remanufactured EGR cooler may be ok or may cause issues down the road. Probably no way to know what the situation is on that one.
WIX (and others) makes a tall cap and filter combination. They state on the box to not re-use the cap. Many people ignore that and re-use the cap. When an OEM filter is installed, it isn't long enough to close the oil drain valve at the bottom of the oil filter canister. That can cause quite a few problems! In general, you are better off w/ OEM filters.
The remanufactured EGR cooler may be ok or may cause issues down the road. Probably no way to know what the situation is on that one.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,916
Likes: 3,635
Thanks for posting the transmission information!
Normally the 5R110 is pretty solid. I wonder what happened to need all that work.
I was looking for the type of coolant you have. I didn't see coolant on the invoice, but I did see VC-8 coolant additive. Is your coolant green?
Normally the 5R110 is pretty solid. I wonder what happened to need all that work.
I was looking for the type of coolant you have. I didn't see coolant on the invoice, but I did see VC-8 coolant additive. Is your coolant green?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
From: AK
Thanks for posting the transmission information!
Normally the 5R110 is pretty solid. I wonder what happened to need all that work.
I was looking for the type of coolant you have. I didn't see coolant on the invoice, but I did see VC-8 coolant additive. Is your coolant green?
Normally the 5R110 is pretty solid. I wonder what happened to need all that work.
I was looking for the type of coolant you have. I didn't see coolant on the invoice, but I did see VC-8 coolant additive. Is your coolant green?
The coolant is green I believe. I'll have to look at that when I get home.
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Mountain Pass
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Fleet Owner
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Thanks for the pics. The oil filter cap is definitely the stock filter height.
Looks like that boot off of the turbo might need replacing one-of-these days. Also, the driver's side battery cover that protects the PCM from moisture is missing. Some people leave their's off, but I think it serves a good purpose.
Couldn't see the coolant well enough to confirm that it is green If it is green, it will work, but you need to keep up w/ the additive. A FAR better choice is an EC-1 rated ELC coolant (they are typically red).
Being a late 04 engine makes sense now. I saw that the shop replaced the EBP sensor and I was wondering why.
Looks like that boot off of the turbo might need replacing one-of-these days. Also, the driver's side battery cover that protects the PCM from moisture is missing. Some people leave their's off, but I think it serves a good purpose.
Couldn't see the coolant well enough to confirm that it is green If it is green, it will work, but you need to keep up w/ the additive. A FAR better choice is an EC-1 rated ELC coolant (they are typically red).
Being a late 04 engine makes sense now. I saw that the shop replaced the EBP sensor and I was wondering why.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Good point Jack. I have always viewed that it would make the most difference in the control of the high pressure oil pressure based on the oil rail volume difference (doubled volume). More of a performance issue (little slower reaction on throttle) I am thinking.
As you are well aware, the camshaft lobe separation angle, lobe lift, and duration changed also (from 03 to 04). Do you think this would affect things also? I guess I was figuring it would just be a performance issue also ... don't really know for sure though.
I made the assumption (may not have been wise to assume though), that since he had the EBP replaced, he had the 2004.5 flash.
I completely missed the EGR valve being unplugged (and the EGRTP still being plugged in) - great eye to catch that. Wonder if the programming is actually a tune.
One thing to add - it is very important that you do NOT use the 2003 glow plugs in the 04.5 engine! The 03 plugs are too long for your 04.5.
As you are well aware, the camshaft lobe separation angle, lobe lift, and duration changed also (from 03 to 04). Do you think this would affect things also? I guess I was figuring it would just be a performance issue also ... don't really know for sure though.
I made the assumption (may not have been wise to assume though), that since he had the EBP replaced, he had the 2004.5 flash.
I completely missed the EGR valve being unplugged (and the EGRTP still being plugged in) - great eye to catch that. Wonder if the programming is actually a tune.
One thing to add - it is very important that you do NOT use the 2003 glow plugs in the 04.5 engine! The 03 plugs are too long for your 04.5.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,830
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From: Jersey Shore
Mark, my '03 always had more power off idle and light black smoke compared to the later diesels we had. How much is the cam, how much is the programming, I sure can't say?
The change in lobes and separation can be seen on Colt Cams posting of the changes, although I think he is incorrect lumping all 6.0 cams together. What he shows for 6.4 is the 2003.5 change.
This one is going to take work to figure out what was done.
The change in lobes and separation can be seen on Colt Cams posting of the changes, although I think he is incorrect lumping all 6.0 cams together. What he shows for 6.4 is the 2003.5 change.
This one is going to take work to figure out what was done.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
From: AK
Looks like that boot off of the turbo might need replacing one-of-these days. Also, the driver's side battery cover that protects the PCM from moisture is missing. Some people leave their's off, but I think it serves a good purpose.
Couldn't see the coolant well enough to confirm that it is green If it is green, it will work, but you need to keep up w/ the additive. A FAR better choice is an EC-1 rated ELC coolant (they are typically red).
Being a late 04 engine makes sense now. I saw that the shop replaced the EBP sensor and I was wondering why.
Couldn't see the coolant well enough to confirm that it is green If it is green, it will work, but you need to keep up w/ the additive. A FAR better choice is an EC-1 rated ELC coolant (they are typically red).
Being a late 04 engine makes sense now. I saw that the shop replaced the EBP sensor and I was wondering why.
As far as the EBP sensor goes, the '03 6.0L motors didn't have EBP sensors?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
From: AK
What do you mean by rough looking? What's sticking out at you?
It drives like a dream man, seriously it's awesome! I'm in love lol I've had a 7.3 for many years and the pep these 6.0's have in comparison is real nice.
It drives like a dream man, seriously it's awesome! I'm in love lol I've had a 7.3 for many years and the pep these 6.0's have in comparison is real nice.