well, after much discussion with the wife, we have decided to do headstuds and egr delete on our own account. i will do the job in my driveway with the help of some friends and beer!!
i want to do the studs, egr delete, and possibly a 3.5" downpipe to my stock exhaust size. i have no cat and no muffler as it is now.
what i need to know is what else should i do while i am at this point that is not too crazy in price as we will be putting enough in it as it is. i plan on making the egr delete myself so a little cheaper there. also for those that have done the studs with the cab on, please chime in as to any things to look for during the job.
i did a search on here already for headstud jobs but as you may know, it turns up ALOT of stuff and i cant find what i am looking for in the way of a list of stuff i need to do this undertaking. i know that i need the studs, and a top end gasket kit from ford and i plan on going with the stock gaskets. i guess i will need a programmer now as the egr would be gone.
i am very mechanically inclined as that is what i do for a living but never worked on a diesel other than normal maintenance so any help in this direction is GREATLY appreciated.
sorry for the long post and i hope to start this project in the beginning of may before camper pulling season. and i will take pics of it as we go along with the egr delete.
please help!!
clarence
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if you will be stock, i would suggest to stay the way you are untill you have issues. the head issues are out there, but you may have one that will be ok. when you go to do headstuds, make sure someone checks the heads. .002 in is out on the 6.0 and these can only be machined .010 if they are warped ( i never seen a set that werent ), so do the egr delete if you want to. atleast that can be a day job.

 

i planned on going with a xcal 2 or 3 or whatever matt at spartan is working on. i really understand what you are saying about waiting to do them but i live 12 hours away from anyone that might be able to do them for me and my warranty runs out at the end of may. i have an 03. so, like i said earlier, if i am out on vacation and they decide to go, if they do, i am out at least 3500 to get them done at the mercy of the dealer. plus a tow job if needed.
just a little insurance on my part i guess. or preventative maintenance if you want to look at it that way.
thanks though. keep it coming!
clarence

 

How much does a new set of heads cost? Mine are fine now but I do plan on doing headstuds soonish so I can keep the truck longer while feeling good about it.

 

I've seen em online from a ford parts dealer for 800 each I believe..

 

I have scene em' online at $380 for 220,000psi ARP's...

I too am getting ready to buy studs as I'm looking at the 5in. MBRP Dual exhaust and Xcal3 Tuner w/ Custom tunes... from Elite, Sparton or Innovative diesel... Whats the diff? Are they just different people programing them?

I'm tring to Hit the 500Hp mark and then some... Obviously I have a ways to go.. But thats the fun of it right? lol O, and if you know, what exhaust system would best suit a 500hp+ application?

Thanks,
Alex

 

Sounds like a wise suggestion to be prepared to purchase a new head. Please let us know the results when you have the heads checked for flatness.

 

well, i kinda hope that they aren't warped. but if they are, i can get them machined no prob except for the shipping of them 12 hours away. im MAYBE thinking that since they did not blow in the first place, and removing the bolts in reverse order of installation in steps might help me avoid such problems while i remove the heads. anyone tried that? just wondering.
also, now that i have been researching this even deeper than before, i am reading posts of guys still blowing gaskets after the studs were done. i am also hoping that this was either a fault of installation or the heads were never really, or properly, checked in the first place. again, anyone know first hand of this?
and back to what i posted for in the first thread. does anyone have the exact part number for the gasket kit needed to do this job? i've seen ones on shebay, but am reluctant to buy them as they also come with the stock bolts which i do not need. i am waiting on a price from some vendors here as well so dont flame me too bad for going to shame-bay

keep the replies coming guys. need as much info as possible.
clarence

 

Most likely blowing the HG's after studs is a result of not checking the heads properly if at all and just re installing warped heads, I'm also on the side with you as not having had any HG problems hopefully my heads aren't warped beyond repair

 

i seem to be having trouble with a couple ford dealers that i called. i am looking for the gasket kit p/n if someone has it. the complete set that a tech would use in the shop to do this job. is there any techs that can get me the number?
thanks in advance
clarence

 

6.0L's built before 09/30/03 use 3C3Z-6051-CA which can also be bought from a International dealer (probably much cheaper) using part number 1847028C96.

It says kit includes bolts and standpipes...

 

Are saying you saw cylendar heads for the 6.0L @ $380 each? Are they new or used?

 

i just saw a set on ebay that are going for 400 a piece. i dont think it said rebuilt but it does come with all new valvetrain stuff. valves, retainers and springs.
clarence

oops! rereading the post i see that he is talking about the arp studs. my bad

 

powerstroke, that number you gave me, is that just for one side? i looked it up and it comes up with a retail price of 110.00 so it must be?
check out this kit that i have found. i would prefer to buy from a vendor but this is just for reference. is this the one i am looking for?
eBay Motors: Brand new Ford 6.0 head gasket kit. diesel super duty (item 230239922070 end time Apr-19-08 19:30:00 PDT)

clarence

 

No, no... thats just for the Studs...

Then theres all the other costs.

Alex