OK, for years my truck that is basically stock other than the atlas tune from FICM.com and the blue spring fuel pressure kit has been showing IPR values while towing at 82%. I replaced the oil cooler twice, first time I had purchased an "OEM" oil cooler that came with a green gasket. After I addressed the misleading OEM oil cooler, I replaced it and flushed the engine. I got the OEM oil cooler from SWAG performance. I have noticed some lack of power over the past few years, but other than that she drives great. I took the truck out for a drive and the truck had very sluggish acceleration and HPOP is fine at part throttle, but WOT, my HPOP shows pressures of around 800psi. I inspected the IPR screen and it is fine, new IPR valve last year. After I had watched Diesel Tech Ron's videos on the 03 HPOP/injector issues, I am certain that the HPOP is the problem with my lack of power.

I plan to swap out the HPOP and I am looking at CNC's HPOP and considering the stage 2. I am not sure if the extra 250$ is worth the cost? I have read some threads that state that the stage 2 will help atomize the fuel better and give better power and MPG. Is there any benefits to upgrading to the stage 2 HPOP? Is there any risks or reliability concerns when upgrading the HPOP to the stage 2 on a stock truck that has a 40 hp (Atlas tune)? Can the stage 2 HPOP cause increased heat or wear on internals? I am planning on changing the oil cooler to the BDP stock OEM one since I have the engine opened up, heck, I'm already there and do not want to replace the cooler again! I found some threads regarding the swag performance OEM oil cooler being made in china and having some sediment issues with these "OEM" coolers, and I did find some sediment in my coolant filtration system when I removed the filter. I drained my coolant and used a 50 micron filter, there was little to no visible sediment found when I drained the system. Either way, I plan on replacing the cooler for cheap insurance. I have already done the VC9 treatment to the truck and am now in the process of tearing the truck down.

Stage 1 or stage 2 cooler? & which J-tube to purchase and from where?

Thank you for the help!

 

IMO, a stage 2 HPOP is not needed for your "nearly" stock engine.

 

So, I've been finding information on the J tube having clearance issues with the installation between the j tube and HPOP cover in the early 03-04 6.0's? Any advise on the possibility of clearance issues between a new j tube and the HPOP cover? Also, where is the best place to purchase a OEM j tube? I have also read that some of the Ford dealers say that there is no internal O ring inside the j tube, but by the looks of things, the O ring is supposed to be on the outside and inside of the J tube?

Thank You for the help!

 

Ok, I have some more questions.

Where do I get ford OEM gaskets for the J-tube & HPOP Cover? I am not sure if the CNC fab oil pump comes with gaskets or not? If I have to purchase gaskets, I want to avoid purchasing an "OEM" labeled gasket from an online supplier who sells a faulty gasket like the doorman gaskets. I purchased an oil cooler from SWAG and I've found out that their oil cooler labeled "OEM" when in fact it was a cheap Chinese knock off with a ford OEM stamp. My coolant is clear, however, I purchased a new OEM oil cooler from BPD to avoid any future problems with my truck with the upcoming repairs to my truck, both HPOP and Oil cooler.

I have found the HPOP cover at the following sites: Not sure if it matters which "OEM" gasket, but I do not want another doorman gasket problem again!
Full force diesel
Prosource diesel
Swag performance parts
Riffraff diesel
Thorough Diesel

So, where can I purchase a reliable gasket for the HPOP cover and O rings, J-tube O rings, and turbo install kit?

Thank You!

 

I provided a link to a place to buy the J-tube in your other thread.

You can use a die grinder carefully and provide the "relief channel" yourself (to keep the J-tube from rubbing on the cover).

In the video, he is describing the updated J-tube:

 

Thank You for the video! Valuable information there!

As far as gaskets for the HPOP cover and J tube, which OEM labeled gaskets are ones to stay away from? I see a lot of HPOP cover gaskets labeled OEM with significantly different price points. I do not want to buy a HPOP gasket that degrades like the doorman oil cooler gaskets, or is the HPOP cover gaskets a non issue?

Thanks again for the help!

 

The gaskets come with the ford HPOP cover in a kit. Or there is a separate gasket set from Ford:

03-04 HPOP cover gasket part #: 3C3Z-6619-EA

If you want a full set: 3C3Z-9G804-AA (contains the J-tube D-ring

Thin o-ring that fits onto the base of the J-tube (seals against the HPOP) part #: 3C3Z-9N693-CA (22mm OD x 2mm thick)

 

Thanks for the reply! I got a ford OEM gasket from Accurate Diesel. I wanted an "OEM" gasket after the aftermath of my oil cooler that came with a doorman gasket from a diesel shop years ago.

Thank You!