It has occurred to me that just replacing the injectors on my truck is not going to cut it.
Upon preparing to remove the injectors on my truck I did an inspection and have found that my head gaskets, for whatever reason, have started to leak at the back of the heads towards the firewall. I have also noticed that the so-called seasoned tech that I paid to install the manifold gasket was kind enough to break off several bolts for the exhaust manifold towards the firewall as well. As if this wasnt enough, it appears that the guy let the manifolds hang from the turbo up-tube, as it also seem to have exhaust soot collecting on the firewall like before.
Now I realize that letting someone else work on my tuck was a no-no, however after getting it stuck in mud, spending the night crawling in mud, dealing with the laughing about getting stuck in the mud (Right off a major road in our town), and then all the damage too boot, I just didnt even want to look at the damn thing. I imagine the guy is related to PowerStroker in some way. Maybe thats why I figured he could handle a simple job of installing manifold gaskets. I also figure its the reason he told me that the bolts were already broken, however it would have been nice if he mentioned it to me at the time.
So thats it. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
I plan on stripping this ENTIRE TRUCK down to the frame. Cab off, bed off and sent to my friends for repair, and to crack this 6.0 open. I remember how my knees and body hurt for weeks the last time I went at it from the top and bottom. Getting the heads off without the cab removed will be impossible (Maybe not, but not for these old knees).
I plan on completely re-doing the entire suspension and performing a suspension and body lift. I plan on "Possibly" going with a gas power train, however I have not ruled out the Diesel because I really enjoy the sound and power plus I plan on buying a "Parts" Super Duty truck. I have seen some Super Duty trucks go for as little as $2500 salvage. Perhaps I could get a better interior and some new doors off it, plus spare parts for mine. I imagine this process could take up to a year, maybe two, so I dont need PowerStroker to remind me every day.
I have decided that no matter what truck I own, I will want to beat the shit out of it and off road it like a 4X4 should be driven.
I really like the size and feel of the Super Duty truck. As I have mentioned before I really like the power and sound of the 6.0 PowerStroke, however I dont like the way this truck requires cab removal for most any minor repair. I know for a fact that I can best the HP ratings with a gas V8, however churning out the torque will be tuff.
I just dont know what to do. What I have done is started removing the cab. I am also going to remove the entire front clip in effort to make the cab less weight. Doors, Interior and such may also be removed.
I wont have the luxury of a hoist for this operation, and with winter coming, this project must take place at my home, in the garage. I am sure many in here can now have their little chuckles and laugh that my truck once again need serious repairs, however I am taking it like a sport and laughing right along with you.
With that said, lets hear it.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
Currently, a SuperDuty would be a better choice for me than my F150... it will be a gasser because of my operating circumstance.... a diesel would be a wise choice only three weeks a year... a v10 it will be...
Very soon, my boy will be a driller on his rig... A diesel will be his best choice (if only because he can get fuel for free).
There are two ways to spec a vehicle... what we want or what we need.
Since most of us can afford more than one vehicle, we don't need to box ourselves in.
Somehow I thought you guys were going to rub it in a little more. Then again you must have all seen it coming.
A V10 Gasoline engine would be nice, if only because its not a 6.0 PowerStroke Diesel, however I have grown to love the sound of the Diesel. I have also felt the power a good running 6.0 Diesel has to offer.
Honestly what gets me the most is the fact that there is no way that I could sell someone this truck without worrying that one day I would be getting sued because of all the problems this engine is known to have. But thats only half of it. The other half is the fact that I cant stand to be a quitter.
I am not boxed in with regards to this truck. I like the room the super duty offers, I like the feel behind the wheel of this big black beast. Hell I even like the engine, if only for the fact that many fear it like the black plauge.
I am going to have to get creative on this one. I am going to have to scour the earth for a 6.0 PowerStroke Super Duty in distress or being sold at salvage rates. I think this will be my best option. Giving up is not an option, and while it may seem to some that I am boxing myself in, its really more like I am accepting the fact that my truck needs more work. Some of this work is the result of my off roading, some of it is the result of poor maintanaince by the previous owner. Regardless it must be delt with.
A truck is not something I have to have for my business, let alone a big ass Super Duty. Given the amount of history this truck and I have, I think I owe it to myself to get my mind right. I have accepted that this truck is my toy.
Going at it with that in mind should keep me from abandoning the 6.0 Diesel. But we will see. I just cant stand this cab off bullshit. To me it seems like such a shitty thing for a manufacture to design it that way. This will honestly be the first time I have ever pulled the cab/body off a vehicle to access the engine (Outside of a dog house on a van). Maybe once I have tried it, I wont knock it.
I have already got the entire front end and doors all off. I really like how they have attached the front bumper, 4 bolts in the front, two on the sides. Much better than the older trucks! I had all the doors off in less time than I thought. The front end was off in less than a half hour. Its almost starting to look like there is hope to getting at the engine, and I am sure that once the hood and fenders are off, that I will be feeling better about this monster job. I just been squeezing in a little time here and there getting her torn down.
One thing I did want to ask you guys was this, after the cab is off, what sort of harnesses and such will I need to pull in order to start the truck once the cab is no longer on the body? I am sure I will find out soon enough, but once all is said and done I would like to be damn sure that everything is running right and in order before I put it back on. Hell Id even be willing to yank the entire interior harness just to be sure its running right before I put it all back together.
Have you guys been able to start these trucks with the cab off to inspect them? Or are you guys having to install the cab before its started?
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
SELLC wrote: _________________________________________________________ I have already got the entire front end and doors all off. I really like how they have attached the front bumper, 4 bolts in the front, two on the sides. Much better than the older trucks! I had all the doors off in less time than I thought. The front end was off in less than a half hour. Its almost starting to look like there is hope to getting at the engine, and I am sure that once the hood and fenders are off, that I will be feeling better about this monster job.
What the fuck are you doing all of that for - weight reduction??? If a hoist can lift an entire truck, it can certainly lift a complete cab. We've posted pictures on your site of our cab off jobs. I know that I have certainly never removed the doors, fenders, or bumper as part of any of mine, and I've done over 70.
One thing I did want to ask you guys was this, after the cab is off, what sort of harnesses and such will I need to pull in order to start the truck once the cab is no longer on the body? Have you guys been able to start these trucks with the cab off to inspect them? Or are you guys having to install the cab before its started?
I've never tried that and doubt it's worth the effort of trying. If you put it together right you won't have to worry about whether it works or not when you put it all back together and try to start it.
Yes, weight reduction is the key as there is no hoist in my garage at home. I will be luck to get 4 guys to help slide the cab back when the bed it removed. I am quite aware that a hoist could lift the entire cab, with the fenders and such still attached, however thats not an option for me.
I think it will be worth the effort for me to make sure everything is good to go prior to putting the cab back on. Not only that I would like to be able to move it. Dont forget my truck as some serious body damage now, so many of the parts I remove will goto my buddys house who does body work.
I am really leaning twards the Diesel, as much as the V10 sounds nice, I think Im hooked on the sound and power of the 6.0
I hope I can find a 6.0 in distress (Parts truck) so that I can finally crack one of these engines open. I would also consider using some of the body parts off the parts truck, as well as sell off some parts to help pay for the project.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
I know where there is a guy selling a 6.0, core, it needs rebuilding though. I think he said it has a head gasket out of it.
he wants a grand for it, I think.
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We do PRECISION GUESSWORK based on vague assumptions and unreliable data of dubious accuracy provided by persons of questionable intellectual capacity. Now what can we fix for you today?
A grand isnt a bad price, however I was more interested in buying a whole nother' truck in distress or salvage.
I think these trucks are worth more in peices than they are a whole. I am about to have proof, and Ill post them details in the Mechanics V8 Cafe. You would shit your pants!
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
I am seeing more and more of the early model trucks for sale in the $2500-3500 range! I think I am going to put off buying another Mercedes this winter and buy another one of these Super Duty trucks.
-- Edited by SELLC on Wednesday 18th of November 2009 12:22:48 AM
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
