Head Studs; Need a Shop/Dealer! Please Help

[mblgjr]

Hi All,

I have an ’05 6.0 F350 with approx. 10k mi. and need a bit of help. I plan on adding a Banks Technicooler, Power elbow and Monster Exhaust with an SCT Xcal II custom tune.

I would like to know how prominent the loss of head gaskets are among 6.0’s and if I should worry with installing head studs and fresh gaskets. I don’t know that they are worth it at this power level, or if they are more for piece of mind.

In any event, I am looking for a competent dealer or independent shop in the Southeast. I would like to have head studs installed in my 6.0 and want it done right. I also am looking to have some fittings in the oil pump replaced to prevent future failure. Ideally, I would like to have someone that is both proficient in the 6.0 and is used to removing the body to do the head studs.

I would prefer to find a highly competent/laid back dealership that is mod friendly and could perform the stud install, as well as total service.

Any Ford dealerships in AL/MS/GA/So. TN or the panhandle of Florida, will be considered. Please inform me accordingly. My local dealers are used to doing quick fixes on company trucks in my area.

Also, for all of you that have installed studs/gaskets, please let me know what you used and what combo seems to be working the best.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[LariatTrucker]

The Navistar service package is the best out there as far over the counter parts. The Ford kit does not use studs and nuts. Ford dealers did have an option to use the Navistar kit but that was because the Ford part was on National Backorder. If the supply chain has caught up with demand they may not have that option any longer.

[TaddL]

You have two choices. You can do all your performance mods and just drive the truck, if you do encounter a problem with coolant then at that time you can put studs and gaskets in. The other option would be to put the studs in now before you have to do gaskets. Your options for install are either lifting the cab off, pulling the motor and doing the studs externally, or pulling the A/C evaporator box and doing it in the chassis.

Tadd

[mblgjr]

Thanks guys.

What Navistar service kit are you in reference to?

[LariatTrucker]

Navistar makes a service kit for 6.0L engine head gasket issue. I think someone actually posted the part number on here in the last month or so.

[AllDiesels]

Yeah I work for Bully Dog, enjoy the view!
view of you in my rear view??? Sorry i had to jump on that one lol lol
robert

[jesshwarren]

I will be installing Hypermax gaskets and head studs. I am going to use a coustom SCT tune.

From what the ford mech told me it takes about 12hrs to put a set of head gaskets in. He says if I buy the parts it is 50$ per hr. I thought that is not to bad. 600$ for labor. He has done them a lot so he knows what he is doing.

[tasman]

jesshwarren
From what I understand, 12 hours is a very good time for that job and a $50 shop rate is well below average. If you know the guys does quality work, I do not think you can beat that [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img].

TasMan

[jesshwarren]

Yea thats what I thought. He says a day and a half that should be close to 12hrs, I plan on 800$ at the most for labor.

I known him for like 5 years he is the only guy at the ford garage that works on the diesels and knows what he is doing.

[HideOut]

and your gonna share his name and dealer so we know if we need to see him right?

[jesshwarren]

HA!

Yea if you are close to NW PA. I'll let you guys know how much it runs once it is done. It should only run like 600$ according to him for labor. I will know for sure once it is done.

BTW shouls I go with hypermax or the updated headgaskets.

[Clevelandjim]

I'm close enough to N.W. Pa. that I am real interested in his price.

[mblgjr]

Anyone have suggestions for someone a little further south?

I'm in Birmingham/central AL.