Head Gaskets 6.9
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Cornersburg, Ohio
Head Gaskets 6.9
I will be changing head gaskets on an 85 6.9. What brand gaskets should I use?
What should I look out for? Also fig. I would change fuel filter and return lines, CDR valve. Any advise would be a big help as I have never wrenched on a diesel before. I am finding out that you need bigger wrenches and a bigger wallet. So with that said I'll be doing the repairs myself becuase my wrenches are big and wallet is small. Thanks.
What should I look out for? Also fig. I would change fuel filter and return lines, CDR valve. Any advise would be a big help as I have never wrenched on a diesel before. I am finding out that you need bigger wrenches and a bigger wallet. So with that said I'll be doing the repairs myself becuase my wrenches are big and wallet is small. Thanks.
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From: New York
i just did haed gaskets on my 85 a few weeks ago. best advice i can give you is to remove the engine hood from the truck it gives you so much more room. only other thing is when you actually lift the head off have some one else there to help you lift it off. there heavy no question about it. just follow the torque sequence and you should be fine.
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From: New York
i forgot to say get new o rings for the return lee T fittings. you need 16 o rings. mine were dry rotted and when i put the T fittings back on every single one leaked till i put new o rings on. ford sells them in a set of 16 for not to much.
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I am in process of doing the heads on my 7.3 right now, not much different than a gas engine, just bigger and heavier.
One, the heads are heavy. You may want a cherry picker or hoist if possible.
Two, clean the outside as well as possible before you start.
Last bit of advice from me is have lots of hand cleaner! The inside of diesel engines are very black and it gets in every pore of your hands.
One, the heads are heavy. You may want a cherry picker or hoist if possible.
Two, clean the outside as well as possible before you start.
Last bit of advice from me is have lots of hand cleaner! The inside of diesel engines are very black and it gets in every pore of your hands.
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From: Monroe, WA
I would also add that not all the head bolts and even a couple pushrods will come out of the head, just leave them in and remember them before you put the heads back on. I use some pieces of 3/8" fuel line split lengthwise to wrap around the bolt shanks and hold them up so they don't hit the new gasket before the head does.
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From: Cornersburg, Ohio
Did not have any proble with left side I was even able to pick head and exhuast manifold out as unit. After doing that I went and dug out the cherry picker for the right side and while jacking up head and manifold I messed up my dipstick tube. Thanks to the designer that bolted the dipstick tube to head and behind manifold so you could see it!!
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From: Calif, moving to Whidbey
I did my 85 30k miles ago. could not remove the dipstick. I was using an overhead hoist to pull the heads, so I figured it would come out of the head. It didn't budge. So, when I reinstalled my head, I wound up with the dipstick on the outside of the head. I DON'T RECCOMEND THIS. Just telling you my experience. You have to pull the hood and have a hoist/friend to help. I used rubber bands to hold the back bolts on the passenger side.
Also, the Haynes diesel manual is invaluable.
good luck,
Dave
Also, the Haynes diesel manual is invaluable.
good luck,
Dave
Last edited by dave200; Aug 28, 2004 at 11:28 AM. Reason: left something out