Survey: How many blown head gaskets due to performance mods vesus those blown on stock trucks? What you say?

 

Oh I do love this thread. Alot of people would say put a tuner on your truck you'll blow headgaskets, more times then if you didn't put a tuner on the truck. Their evidence is not conclusive on that however as all it does is suggest a connection at very best. Can tuners cause a problem, yes they can, will just the mere fact that you put a tuner on your truck cause this problem, no. It really does depend on how you handle it as well. The worst thing that tuners have against them is that if you did have head problems before you put the tuner on there, more then likely it will expose that problem and most people thing that the tuner caused the problem when in fact it just accelerated it's exposure. With the 6.0s, you do run the risk of having head problems rather or not you don't mod it or not. So really boiling all this down to, it is going to be very hard to get an accurate survey as to the number of head problems on stock trucks versus modded trucks unless you get people that have pressured tested their cooling system after they received thier truck, before they put the tuner on and after they put their tuner on(for modded trucks, just do the first two if stock). That would be more definative as to rather or not a tuner caused a head problem that what people use now as evidence. I'm sure alot of people will try to use that little evidence that is out there as definative proof, but it isn't. Connection yes, definative proof no.

 

Given that, if it's due to original ford engineering design, why don't ALL stock trucks blow head gaskets?

 

It's not ford engineering design it's International's design and even their detuned engines that International uses have been known to have headgasket problems. There is a small margin of error, those that haven't blown have been lucky enough to fall within that margin. Not all headgaskets have blown when people have used tuners and/or modules as well. If the install was done correctly it won't happen, if it wasn't(and things do fall thru the cracks) then you have head problems.

 

I have no tuner, my truck runs with the mod's with impressive power and MPG's. The tuned trucks have good power for short bursts then the EGR's get hot, thats when I blow buy my buddy's (mod 6.0) over the mountain pass and down the freeway pulling my 26' Boat. I have done intake, exhaust, and EGR mod's.

 

No matter who is at fault (Ford, International, Owner, Mods, Parts, etc.), I'd like to see the correlation if there actually is one.

How many blown head gaskets "after installing performance mods" vesus those blown on stock trucks.

 

Just started the poll in regards to this info.......

Go vote if you have lifted the heads on your 6.0.......

 

LOL Tex I wasn't surprised at all that you jumped right on this one! Go get 'em!

 

DITTO but my tow is a 33' 5th wheel.

 

The 6.0 is tuned from the factory for optimal performance for Towing not drag racing. I had a 2004 with a Programmer, it was fast very fast. Then at 13K Transmission gone, rebuilt it, white smoke at 14K. Oil seals on injectors, EGR Valve failure then YES! Head Gaskets!
So I learned my lesson the hard way. I had to trade it in! DO everything to your Truck, but leave the Computer alone.

 

Unfortunately no it is not tuned for optimal performance for towing for everyone does not have the same habits and towing needs and the stock factory tuning cannot compensate for every different driving scenerio but custom tuning can.

 

What tuner where you running?

 

I was running the Edge Juice with attitude. Way to hot for Fords Head Gaskets and Transmissions. The odds of Head Failure is increased if you use any Programmer. The only one I have considered is the SCT from Spartan Diesel. I feel that I must have the ARP Head Studs installed first before any Fuel box (Edge) or a Programmer (SCT) installed. I have taken care of the EGR problems (Blocker Plate), the next week components are the Turbo and the Head Studs. Just my .02