Did some searches on the reliabiliy of the 6.0 after rebuild/mods and found mostly aftermarket advice. Here is the delima I am in; found an 03 F350 crew cab, fx4, automatic, xlt, long bed, with 145000 miles. Price = $12,000. The truck had the usual 6.0 head problems and Ford installed a remanufactured long block and new EGR at 96000 miles. He said that he thought they replaced the EGR and not deleted it. My question is - how do the Ford modifications hold up and would the EGR still need to be deleted. He said he has had no problems since. I think this is probably a good deal but I am a little uncertain. I do not have the resources to build or repair a diesel motor right now, I need something I can drive for a long time.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Like so many things, it depends. I'm in the minority that thinks you can have a reliable EGR system unless you are making a lot of HP/TQ. It really depends on how you use the truck.

I doubt that they deleted it as that would be a big no-no with certain Federal agencies regardless if you have local emission requirements for that truck. I don't think that a dealership would run that risk.

Head concerns would depend on a few factors. What caused them etc. There is enough support out there to think that most of the head problems out there could have been avoided if the owners and the diesel techs would have had more knowledge. Now who is to be blamed for that information shortcoming is up for a nice conversation, but I don't think you would want to get into that now. As to that truck in particular, need to find out what caused the issue(s) and how they "fixed" it. Even if you do ARP studs, that in of itself doesn't promise you that you won't be back in there if they didn't do the job right to begin with.

In the end, that truck might last you a lifetime or then again it might not. The usual risks with buying used apply no matter what engine is under the hood. Just try to get as much information as you can on the vehicle and make your decision accordingly.

 

Can I apply to join your minority?

Mine is working fine with the EGR --- once I replaced a dud EGR.