As I am in Phoenix I am having some repairs done at Strictly Diesel on my '03 F250 and I was going to ask if you guys would suggest anything differently or additional. My intent is to drive my pickup into the ground through numerous sets of tires.

These parts come recommended by the shop and I want to see if there is something I missed in repairing the vehicle.

Here is the list of parts/mods-
-Black Onyx 6.0L Head Gaskets - 18mm
-6.0L HEAD STUD KIT
-6.0L ENGINE OIL COOLER KIT
-6.0L COMPLETE INTAKE GASKET SET
-6.0L EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET PKG 2
-6.0L EGR DELETE BulletProof Diesel 6.0L Round EGR DELETE
-BPD EGR Cooler Hose/C... Silicone Hose and Clamps for Bullet Proof Diesel EGR Cooler
-Strictly Diesel 6.0L Master Kit - 18mm Dowel - w/Round Bullet Proof Diesel EGR Cooler
-6.0L Oil Bypass Filter (Bulletproof Diesel Oil Bypass Filter Kit (Condenser Mount - 6.0L Powerstroke)
-6.0L Oil Cooler Kit Bulletproof Diesel Oil Cooler Delete Kit
(Condenser Mount 03 Powerstroke)
- Driven Diesel 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel Regulated Return Kit
- CoolantReturnKit 6.0L Coolant Return Kit
- Driver Side Hose
- Passenger Side Hose
- Cylinder head cleaning and resurfacing to have o-ringing of the heads possibly done

I have enjoyed my pickup and I just want to make the motor/pickup the best possible combination.

 

Has it blown a head gasket? Is the EOT/ECT delta greater than 20 degrees level cruising at 65~70mph? If the answers are no, I wouldn't mess with it. There's a bunch of money involved in studding and those upgrades, esp when you're paying someone else to do them.

I'm at 96K on my 2003 on OEM head bolts and 15 degree delta on my ECT/EOT. I run Matt's SRL tune, 4" turbo back, blue spring, Sinister coolant filter, EGR cooler delte, and an AiRaid filter in the OEM box with the front snorkle removed.

Personally, I will stud if and when I push a head gasket, and I will change my oil cooler when I'm seeing a 20 degree delta.

 

I shouldn't have said this was a repair, more of modifications to change the engine, ensuring a longer life.

Last year the EGR took a crap and Impact Auto just replaced the unit and never even mentioned the delete option. They just wanted the labor rate and never had me in mind. I don't have to have emissions where the pickup is registered.

I found Strictly Diesel later and they told me to stud the motor because that area is a weak area of the 6.0L

I have no intention of running an electrical mod because I am not sure about spending the money and seeing a return in life of the engine. These mods are intended to lengthen the life of the machine and the pickup's parts.

Thank you for replying though!

 

If you are not planning on using a tuner then save yourself alot of money.
I would do rebuild oil cooler, coolant fiter/most important/ Egr delete , blue fuel presure spring. bypass system is good idea too.
guages= EGT,eot and ect, fuel presure.

Do not use the black Ox head gaskets, use Ford factory headgaskets if you do them

 

OEM head gaskets are preferred over BO (overpriced Victor Rinz).

ARP studs would be the first choice, H11 the second choice. (You don't list either specifically)

Unless you need to pass a visual EGR inspection why use an EGR cooler?? Just delete it.

A regulated return fuel system and Oil cooler delete kit are just expensive kits. Since you list a 6.0 oil cooler kit why are you deleting it? Maybe they will just charge you for the parts and never install them??

O-rings for heads isn't going to provide any additional benefit.

 

I think you're spending a ton of un-needed money here.

If you want to stud and do headgaskets that's fine, but if you don't plan on modding, don't even bother. If you do go through with it, ARP's and OEM headgaskets, do NOT use the black onyx, there is a very high failure rate with them. They are the incorrect thickness. They're too thin just sitting there on the bench, and then when compressed they're obviously even worse. Stay away from them.

If it was my truck...

coolant flush
add a coolant filter
rebuild the OEM oil cooler (~$235)
EGR delete ($150-$300)
blue spring upgrade in the fuel bowl $50 or so

Then fill with fuel, change oil every 5k, stay on top of maintenance and rock that thing.

 

The previous shop may have failed to mention the egr delete option because it's part of the emissions system, and tampering with or deleting it can lead to big fines under the Federal Clean Air Act. There's usually a statement to that effect on a decal under the hood. When I worked at a motorcycle dealership, rumors were circulating that occasionally an EPA agent would stop by, look through your records, and levy a big fine every time they found an example of installing "race only" exhaust on a street bike. I never saw it happen, but didn't want to experience it either, so steps were taken to avoid it.
I don’t want to cast doubt or ill will where it's not deserved, but it seems odd that a shop would recommend an EGR cooler upgrade when you're deleting the EGR