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injectors & head studs

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Old Jul 11, 2009 | 06:51 PM
  #1  
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injectors & head studs

I recently had the parts guy at a dealer tell me the OEM injectors are "real junk". Does anyone make a better injector for the 6 liter?

I have been thinking about doing head studs on my bone stock 2003 6.0. I have not had difficulty with the head gaskets(knock on wood), but would consider putting in new studs if I coudl do it without taking the heads off. is that even possible(recommended). From the manual, it looks like the stock way of attaching teh heads is with bolts. Is this true, or are there studs in there already?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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I only have 115,000 on my injectors so I can't really tell if there junk or not, I'll get back to you in 30 or 40 more thousand and see if they hold up.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2009 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ljutic ss
I only have 115,000 on my injectors so I can't really tell if there junk or not, I'll get back to you in 30 or 40 more thousand and see if they hold up.
Great performance from the sticks ljutic ss! Actually, quite a few folks w/ high miles on the original injectors - but also quite a few that had problems. What are your thoughts on the reasons for your success? Beachbumcooks also comes to mind when thinking of good reliability of the fuel system.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2009 | 08:44 PM
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I think the critical part of keeping the injectors healthy is maintaining good fuel pressure. A big part of this is changing your fuel filters, using only the Racor/OEM filters, at the recommended interval and sooner if you expect you've gotten a bad load of fuel as well as draining your water separator on a regular basis. I'm of the firm opinion that a lot of problems with the 6.0 are caused by poor maintenance and/or improper maintenance. That's not to say that some injector failures haven't failed due to issues with the injectors themselves, but I think the majority are fuel pressure related.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2009 | 08:58 PM
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Mark, I would like to believe that never going over 15,000 miles between fuel filter changes might contribute to that. My truck is a Dec. 02 build so it's an early 6.0 and I have seen on this forum where a 6.0 tech claims early builds were less problematic then other builds. I have always kept up with oil changes at 4,5-5,000 intervals using Rotella, and Motorcraft oils. I must say though my use of 2 stroke oil with the fuel might add something to the lack of problems. The last 3 fill ups I have gotten 19.4, 20.1 and this week 18.9 thats 60% country and 40% highway driving, no hotrodding 67 max. This Sept will be 2 years I have been using 2 stroke.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2009 | 09:13 PM
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Thanks for your thoughts! It is very helpful when we reflect on the successes!!

Personally, it is killing me to run my truck without gauges. I hope to have them by year end though! I think that we should all be watching fuel pressure, EGT's, and the difference between coolant and oil temps!!!
 
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 02:38 PM
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Clarification

Regarding the injector comment, made by a Ford parts guy, I believe he was saying this because they keep a full set in stock and turn that stock very regularly, meaning they are replacing a lot of injectors. I personally haven't replaced but two, in the 152K miles I've put on my truck. The dealer recently told me I had two more that were low on the contribution test. Have just been looking around, and wanted to get the opinion of the FTE brain trust. I guess what I am hearing is there is nothing better, and keep 'em clean and supplied with enough pressure and that is as good as it gets.

Any body have any input on the ARP stud installation question. Can you replace the bolts with studs without taking the head off. I've got no leaks so far, but thought it might be a good idea to get in there now and replace 'em before I blow a head gasket. What do you think?

Thanks in advance?
 
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 06:36 PM
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I am interested in some thoughts on the same issue. So I will be waiting to see if anyone can add to this thread regaurding the head studs.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by M.Farragher
I guess what I am hearing is there is nothing better, and keep 'em clean and supplied with enough pressure and that is as good as it gets.
Not totally true. Casserly at Full Force Diesel makes some good modified injectors that are able to handle pressure loss and debris a lot better then stock ones. I've tested it on going 90 miles with zero fuel pressure doing 70 miles an hour. No problems, not even cracked injector tips(which I thought was amazing). Had they been true stock injectors, I doubt this would have been the outcome.

Originally Posted by M.Farragher
Any body have any input on the ARP stud installation question. Can you replace the bolts with studs without taking the head off. I've got no leaks so far, but thought it might be a good idea to get in there now and replace 'em before I blow a head gasket. What do you think?

Thanks in advance?
You can do it that way, I would advise against it. Something might go wrong during installation and even with headstuds in there, if installation isn't correct, you'll be doing it again.

I would take your time doing it or save up the scratch to have someone do it. Sometimes trying to do things quicker and/or cheaper end up costing you more in the long run. Not to say you couldn't have success with it, chances of something going wrong during installation are that much more compared to taking the engine out or lifting the cab.
 
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Old May 14, 2021 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by M.Farragher
Regarding the injector comment, made by a Ford parts guy, I believe he was saying this because they keep a full set in stock and turn that stock very regularly, meaning they are replacing a lot of injectors. I personally haven't replaced but two, in the 152K miles I've put on my truck. The dealer recently told me I had two more that were low on the contribution test. Have just been looking around, and wanted to get the opinion of the FTE brain trust. I guess what I am hearing is there is nothing better, and keep 'em clean and supplied with enough pressure and that is as good as it gets.

Any body have any input on the ARP stud installation question. Can you replace the bolts with studs without taking the head off. I've got no leaks so far, but thought it might be a good idea to get in there now and replace 'em before I blow a head gasket. What do you think?

Thanks in advance?

If you take the studs out you have to replace the gasket and inspect the head for chipping before you put it back on. So no you can’t leave heads on while replacing head studs or you’re risking blowing the old head gasket.

don’t cut that corner and have to replace the engine or have to take it back apart again.
 
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Old May 14, 2021 | 07:08 PM
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I'm not related to him, so I think after 12 years he's got the engine back together.
 
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Old May 14, 2021 | 10:14 PM
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Replace one stud at a time and you won't have to service the gaskets or heads.
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 12:50 AM
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Wow...12 years that's a good one!
 
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