Well the high pitch noise is getting worse, the pressure in the degas bottle is not going away and there is residue in the bottom of my bottle so it's time to have Ford look at the head gasket issue. I went to talk with 2 dealership diesel departments and they both said if the work is done under warranty, they will not let me supply the ARP studs. They will not warranty the work if I supplied the studs. 2 questions, did Ford improve the stock studs otherwise I will be blowing out the gasket again due to my mods ? Second, does anyone know a reputable shop that will do the work ? I may consider paying for the work myself if it means using the better studs and gaskets. I live in central New Jersey.

 

Ford/International did not use studs and nuts, they used bolts.

 

what kind of mods are you talking about here?? and according to Hypermax they don't recommnd using studs with their wire ring gaskets (according to their website)..so see if the dealer will let you supply only the gaskets then. just a thought.

 

4" MBRP
Intake elbow
Airaid intake
Disconnected EGR
SCT extream performance tune (150 HP)


I tow a 3,500 lb trailer (Use 50 HP tow safe tune)

 

I would do just the studs and get a new factory gasket, that's what I'm going to do. I think that would be sufficient for most of the everyday drivers.

 

That is exactly what I did. Everything seems fine now but I have always been 100% stock.

 

John, I sent you an email...

 

I seriously doubt any Dealer will allow you to supply any parts.

 

I went with stud kit and new factory gaskets... The torque to yield bolts are a joke, the first time they stretch form a hard load, alot of cylinder pressure, thats it there done... The studs are designed to spring back... and there not necked down and have a bigger mounting surface between the hardened flat washer and nut...

 

Ford gave me the same response as you recieved regarding the warranty and supplying the ARP's. So I let them do the repair under warranty using all there parts and etc so I can keep my warranty another year or so. I have an early 03 which appear to be more prone to this head gasket/bolt problem and I was running stock (no tuning).

From my understanding nothing was changed for the head bolts on the 6L but they did improve the gaskets in approx. 05 - which they installed in my truck.

Your profile says you have an 2006 F-150 (assume it should be F250 or F350). So warranty repair will likley involve the same parts replaced. Given you have an 06 I would stay under warranty to avoid any costs to you but given you have an SCT with extreme tuning you should consider lighting up on the tuning or your pedal as you may be pushing the limits on the stock bolts.

If you still want to maintain your driving habits or tuning levels then strongly consider the ARP head studs (superior particulalry for performance enhancements) but it will cost (Warranty and money).

Ford in this part of the world is extemely vigalent to voiding warranty repairs if they detect any evidence of a tuner. I am surprised they would consider any warranty work if they new you had a tuner.

I had the same dilemna as you not to long ago so I recognize the difficulty for a desion but I'm really not crazy about any extreme power as my concern was to have maximum engine life expectancy and any power or fuel economy benefits were a bonus - thus only paying the deductable for warranty work.

My 2 cents - Good Luck

 

Just to add, I was told that the torque procedure has been modified a couple of times to help attack gasket issues, thats what I was told... But it was strongly suggested that I not take the chance of putting factory bolts back in.... Silly ford...lol

 

Wow, I am not going to rat out my dealership, but, I was told that they would certainly take a set of ARP studs from me and install them instead of the ford factory headbolts when the did the headgasket and do the install as part of the warrenty repair (no additional cost). They DID say that the studs would not be covered under warrenty if installed AND that any future failures that occurred that could be directly attributed to the studs would not be covered. They said the rest of my engine warrenty would be as now. I thought this was extremely fair. I went with the stock headbolts for this first headgasket replace. My guy said the issue was factory torque specs and that he has had no comebacks once the job was done right. We agreed that if I ever have the headgasket again, I will do the studs. Just my experience with a Service Manager and Techs on a dedicated Diesel Team at my dealship. rc

 

My dealer installed the ARP headstuds; no problem! They have done quite a few blown gasket jobs and egr replacements. Mine was the first for the ARP studs. I asked the tech if he had ever used the ARP studs, he said no but he had talked to other techs
at other dealerships that had and in their opinions its the way to go...

 

why would you put head stocks on a completely stock motor ?

 

Because on a completely stock motor the turbo can stick causing an overboost situation and the weak link (ie. bolts) will stretch and gasket will go.