Hey, I have a quick question. My '06 F350 is in having some skirt plate or gasket (?) being replaced under warranty. My Oasis report is ugly with shops going in again and again to repair an oil leak and they keep replacing valve cover gaskets and pan gaskets which has never worked. I found a shop with a mechanic who only works on Ford PSD engines. He immediately diagnosed it with this area leaking and said that most shops overlook this (maybe on purpose?) because it requires the engine to be pulled and disassembled to get to this plate or gasket that runs the entire length of the engine. I guess from what they tell me it's a plate or gasket that is between the top part of the engine and the bottom part of the engine and it goes completely around the engine.

Anyway, my question is this; should I go ahead and buy the ARP head studs and have the dealer install them for me? I spoke with the tech who is going to be doing the work and he said that he'd install them for me no problem. My problem is that I about crapped a brick when I saw the cost of the studs! So far, the best I can find is $475 for them at Discount Power Parts.

Thoughts? Is it worth about $500 for me to have these head studs installed? If so, is that about the least expensive I'm going to find them?

 

Check Flea Bay...err eBay. Here is a set for $425 plus $15 shipping:

eBay Motors: ARP 2000 Head stud kit Ford Powerstroke 6.0 L Diesel (item 190272096211 end time Dec-16-08 08:25:58 PST)

I'd double check the part number...to make sure it's the right set for your 6.0 PSD.

 

I think you are referring to the bedplate oring's that are leaking. They do not require the heads to be removed to be repaired. So you will have to consider the cost of labour as well as purchase cost. He might install them no problem but did he say it was free?

 

The correct ARP part number is 250-4202 for the 6.0 head studs. They are worth the price, especially if you plan to do any engine tuning. I'm thinking about doing this as well. Here's another ebay auction for $379 +15 shipping.
eBay Motors: ARP 250-4202 Head Studs Ford Powerstroke 6.0L Diesel (item 280291535906 end time Jan-02-09 17:46:42 PST)
I searched "ARP 250 4202" and there are several vendors offering them for less than $400. That's the best I've seen.
Sounds like you have found a cool mechanic. Ask him about warranty coverage after the ARPs are installed. Ford may get squirrely if you need warranty work done to the engine after installing a superior part
And counciller is right - it's not necessary to pull the heads for the bed plate leak but it's easier to install the studs with the engine pulled.

 

I asked about the warranty and got a two part answer. First I was asked if I planned on taking the truck anywhere else for warranty work in the future. No, I don't, but "what if" I am on the road somewhere? That was the second part of the answer. If Ford deems the "aftermarket" (even though I'm yet to hear anyone anywhere say that ARP studs are not superior to factory) part caused the failure, they won't cover the failure. In other words, I was told that if the ARP studs cause the failure I won't be covered. I positively do not know metallurgy to a great extent, but from what I've read, it sure seems that I won't have a failure due to the ARP head studs.

Maybe I jumped the gun, but for $475 delivered from a 'real' place, I went ahead and bought them. I've been on eBay since 1997 and have had generally good results, but sometimes mixed results. Since I don't have the ability to wait for someone to slow walk me on shipping, which I've definitely experienced on eBay quite often, I bought from Discount Power Parts. I need to make sure I'll have them by late this week. I sure hope they are worth the expense. Man, that's a lot of coin for some darn metal studs!

 

Yes they are not cheap, but what is with the PSD? A simple oil change is close to $100, just like an air filter, an the list is endless.
IMO the ARP studs are the #1 and the greatest investment on these trucks.

 

I got mine from Northern Auto, $420 shipped, arrived in 2 days, great experience, nice folks. Highly recommend.

 

I did the same a couple months ago and ditto.

 

ditto on northern auto last year $409.00 shipped 2 day arrival

 

If you have a dealer willing to install studs, then you need to pull the trigger on them and have it done. Like mentioned above, I think it is the best mod you can do to this motor along with an egr delete. I wouldnt hesitate!

 

I've folks say that a head stud job isn't done right unless the studs are retorqued after reaching normal op temps. It is such a pain to get into the engine. How many folks are retorquing their head studs on the 6L?

 

I paid the bucks and had the dealer install ARP's when they were replacing the heads under warranty (480 for the studs almost a year ago- 100 to the dealer). I use a tuner and tow an RV. I have had no problems since and have no regrets. It simple,but expensive, peace of mind.

 

Dargo, you did the right thing by buying the ARP headstuds!!! It's one of the best mods on the truck and makes all the sense in the world if you have a dealership who will do it while the motor is apart. I had mine done the same way....when they were replacing the bedplate seal and it only cost me $100. Aftermarket diesel mechanics would generally charge $1500-2500 for the install, not including the headstuds. It's amazing the piece of mind you'll have knowing that they are installed, not to mention the ability to run tuners and not fear. And don't forget that the oil leak will be gone too! Christmas has come early to you!!!

 

It is definitely worth it to have the studs put in!!!

Dealerships are all different in how they feel towards any non Ford parts being put on. My dealer put mine in and told me the same thing because they can't speak for other dealerships about warranty issues.

But it is well worth it to know that you have fixed one of the biggest "Weak Links" with the 6.0!

 

Did your dealership retorque the studs after operating temps were reached? Or perhaps folks aren't worrying about this?