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Hey there, from Canada here and I picked my self up a nice Extended cab long with the beloved 6.0 powerstroke. Picked it up with slightly blown head gaskets for dirt cheap in the hopes to build the motor up, first thing on the list is the usual studs but I’m young and this is only my second 6 litre. I’ve never done studs and wanted to ask a few questions to the folks that have done it themselves and also trucks that have been done in the shop too. What ball park am I looking at if my truck has new injectors,hpop,oil cooler, turbo. These were all replaced within the last 25000km. Just wanted to have a better idea of what kinda cash it takes to do it yourself as well as what shops usually charge. Wanted to get dirty diesel to do it simply because they do great work but obviously The price goes up quite a lot when u add labour. Anyone with expertise or their two cents is welcome. Just want to shed some light on what my best option is thanks-Joey
Welcome to FTE Joey I guess my first question would be, how equipped are you to handle it yourself in the aspect of a garage, tools and of course large torque wrench?
Hey thanks for the reply! I currently only have a shop, my goal is to become a diesel tech but these trucks like to have the cabs off and ideally that would be what I want to do. As of now I would probably be taking it to a shop, just don’t have a lift or the ability to raise the cab, and pulling the heads in the bay is a bit harder to do.
It is a toss up because to DIY can be a major PITA especially if you lack:
-Proper tools
-Thorough knowledge of the 6.0 and it's related issues
-New o-ringed heads to avoid using your OEM which are probably junk anyway
-A lift like you mentioned. IMO pulling the engine is easier but now you need a HD stand
Not knocking you in any way, but this job without proper planning, parts and tools will go South and then you're really fkd.....and have a more broken truck.
Well, I did mine cab on. It is much easier with the front end removed, which is not hard to do. AND, pull the evaporator core cover off as well. Makes it a lot easier to get to the head bolts on the passenger side. The trick during reassembly is securing the head studs with rubber bands or zip ties in the heads when you re-installl them. Just the back four. Making sure everything is spotlessly clean. And use a 3/4" torque wrench. Because 220 ft. lbs. on a 1/2" torque wrench is brutal and a cheater pipe is really needed. B.
If you don't have a lift, mine was pulled out the front and onto the shop floor. You will also have to send the heads to be checked for flatness and check the block. How much time do you have on your hands, a shop can handle it better if they do 6.0L engines.
Thanks for all the input from everyone on my possible options, I’ve had a few 6 litres in the past but have either purchased a studded truck or have been lucky enough to not blow a HG. This is def a new experience for me but I have hopes of becoming a diesel tech, I’m going to look around at shops, theirs a few great 6 litre places around town that would do a good job but I really wanted to work on it myself, maybe theirs a world where I could start my apprenticeship program and have both. My last question for everyone is a price ball park, here all sorts of numbers around here but the average for the shop to do it is around 8 thousand Canadian, I’ll be O ringing the heads and re surfacing them Ofc but only about 10 thousand clicks ago I did my hpop oil cooler and deleted the truck, it’s injectors we’re put in by the previous owner so they are under 50 thousand km as well. as well as upgraded my stc fitting so it ain’t that be plastic. With these things considered and how new they are would I have to replace them for sure? Obviously these parts would be great to save but idk to be honest what’s your guys thoughts?
Thanks linden for the great photos and info too, that stuff helps me so much and makes these questions no one seems to be able to answer just disappear. Thanks guys
Ya for sure will invest in a shop that’s known for their cab off work, dirty diesel customs is a super well known shop around my area and they know how to build some cool stuff. I’ve give that a shot
Ya for sure will invest in a shop that’s known for their cab off work, dirty diesel customs is a super well known shop around my area and they know how to build some cool stuff. I’ve give that a shot
Just stick to repairing the engine, studs and make sure the heads are good and flat, don't get talked into the crazy stuff........😁 Ford OEM head gaskets are what you want.
Be careful with over sized injectors. Mainly from an emissions stand point. I don't know how things are in Canada with testing. But the EPA is cracking down on diesel emissions testing here in the states. As such, here in California, testing stations are now checking for tunes in the PCM/ECM. If one is found the truck will fail the test. Also, large injectors on stock programming with put out more visible exhaust. Which can also fail the test. So you see how things can go south in a heart beat. There are fixes to these problems, but I will NOT go into these in an open forum. You need to research things yourself to find those answers. Good luck. B.
Be careful with over sized injectors. Mainly from an emissions stand point. I don't know how things are in Canada with testing. But the EPA is cracking down on diesel emissions testing here in the states. As such, here in California, testing stations are now checking for tunes in the PCM/ECM. If one is found the truck will fail the test. Also, large injectors on stock programming with put out more visible exhaust. Which can also fail the test. So you see how things can go south in a heart beat. There are fixes to these problems, but I will NOT go into these in an open forum. You need to research things yourself to find those answers. Good luck. B.
I guess my first question would be, how equipped are you to handle it yourself in the aspect of a garage, tools and of course large torque wrench?
thanks-Joey
