Head gasket advice
 

New to site! Just bought my first diesel truck not long ago. Got a 2003 Ford f350 dually. Whoever had it before put the banks 6-gun system with the speed loader in the truck. It has 103K on it now. Driving down the road last weekend truck began to knock, and blow black smoke. Took it in, found #8 Injector sticking. While in there, they found oil, coolant mixed. So now I have the truck at the shop, cab lifted off, and taken down to the heads. Found head gasket bad. Now I am at a crossroad. Since it is this far down, I need to decide what to replace while it is this far apart. I was told to stay clear of OEM parts. Found that these 6.0's have head gasket issues, and with the Banks makes it worse. So I was told to go aftermarket gasket and Bolts. Then at the crossroad do I replace all injectors now? And what about the oil cooler? Heard might be smart to go external. Then comes the EGR, do I replace it too with a better one or eliminate (Buy one with the inside blocked off). So any advice of brands to go with, and places to buy, I'd be thankful. I live inbetween Pueblo and Colorado Springs. But if needed will do internet. Looking to do it right so this engine holds up to the future with this Banks system too. Thanks

For sure get an EGR delete kit, ARP head studs as far as motor, a Coolant filtration System to help keep the coolant clean, and from there if you are going to go for power, Gauges -Boost,pyro,Fuel pressure. Go with SCT with custum tunes. And you should be set. :rocking:

If you do head gaskets get the black onyx headgaskets we have had the best luck with them. But yes delete the egr, do the arp headstuds.

Ok, I am starting my shopping list. This is exactly what I am needing for help. Thanks for helping me make sure I don't put junk back into it. I'll keep updated as they continue to check out all the pieces. They are sending the heads out to check for cracks. What about injectors, any specific type? I found Elite Diesel listed for Pueblo and on their site, they have about 8 to choose from. Not looking to haul much more then the 29 foot camper a few weekend trips a year. More looking for sport/street performance, but the ability to haul once in a while. Don't want to over do it and get something I don't need.

You NEED to have the heads decked for flatness no matter what, and definitely pressure checked. I'd try to find a shop that has worked with powerstroke heads before. The heads can NOT be decked more than .008" or they are scrap. There is a minimum thickness the head has to have, and it equates to close to .008" that can be machined off. I'd use ARP headstuds, and use their new lube, which is only torqued to 210 ft-lbs, and is supposed to be EXCELLENT for repeatability and getting your torque right the first time. You can get the headgaskets the cheapest I've seen from these guys... CNC-Motorsports.com is your resource for High Quality, Hi-Performance auto parts from industry names you trust. Ford 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel MLS Head Gasket (1) 2005-2007 and they're the same thing as all the black onyx gaskets that are sold for a few hundred. They're essentially the same as stock gaskets (which are actually really good), but coated.

I'd stick with OEM injectors persoanlly. New ones will have a 12k mile/12 mo warranty too. I would do a full EGR delete. FCDP, and GoGo have some of the nicest. RCD, and Sinister have a couple less expensive kits that will do the same basic function.

A coolant filter would be a great idea. You should definitely replace or rebuild the oil cooler, and get a new HPOP screen (it's only about $20). If you have the money, you can get the remote oil cooler kit from bulletproof diesel. They also have that HPOP screen too.

Also, ditch the banks crap and get a custom tuned SCT. It's the ONLY way to go for a 6.0.