Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

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FirstEliminator
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Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by FirstEliminator »

Hey guys,

Today I resurfaced a set of Ford diesel 6.0 heads. One head needed about .006 to clean up. I've heard .006 is the limit for removal. Is there a measurement spec out there for the head-deck surface to valve face clearance? I'd feel more confident if I could take that measurement.

thanks,
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by Dave Koehler »

Good timing. I am in the middle of a bulletproof job on my 6.0.
I was going to go on a hunt for the same info.
Most diesels critical point is the valve to deck clearance so It will be interesting to find this out.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by Hrdlx62 »

6.0 powerstroke valve recession spec, .013-.027
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by MotionMachine »

I've taken that much before and if combined with a valve job, the valves will probably be well within that spec. Of the 10 or so sets I've done, I noticed that intake guides were worn excessively compared to exhaust and it was sometimes every other guide that was worn badly,and more wear at the top. Made it look like a geometry issue. I always used liners. On the few that I had to replace the guide because it was too worn for a liner, I had to line the new guide because it was too loose right from the start.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by FirstEliminator »

.013 - .027. Excellent, I think the tightest on mine is .017 after the surfacing.

Thank you,
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by BillK »

Hrdlx62 wrote: Fri Feb 22, 2019 2:27 pm 6.0 powerstroke valve recession spec, .013-.027
This. I have probably done three sets a week for the last year at least. Probably 30% are cracked.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by Dave Koehler »

3 a week. 30% Must be the new small block from the 70s.
Nope, the SBs of that era were closer to 50% and that may be generous. #-o
Bill,
Is there such a thing as acceptable cracks on these?
Have you found a decent place other than Ford for replacement heads?
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by modok »

five years ago it was 305 of them cracked, now it's up to 66% here
I don't think the cracks leak most of the time, but then again there is nothing to stop them spreading, eventually they will go all the way through and hit water, or burn a seat.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by lowriderglen »

Install all exhaust seats, install all guides. Ignore the cracks between the seats as the heads are 1/2" thick in that area. Set recession at .020 and don't worry. Mileage does not matter as they all have the same problem. Pressure check the injector cup being careful to check the area where the top of the cup meets the heads. I have worked on heads with as little as 40k and as high as 400k and they all have the same issues. Good luck.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by modok »

I think you are right it would be OK, if you put seats in. it would be even better if you put seats int he before they crack #-o
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by cpmotors »

For reference 3.740" is standard thickness on those, I've done about 40 sets of 6.0/6.4l heads. Cracks are common, not always an issue. Inspect around the injector cup closely also. Taken -.015" off when needed, easy fix to maintain recession is to clean and grind the valves as they are always rough. Guides are always worn along with some stems. I prefer liners myself vs guides, you can run them tighter and they are much quieter in operation. Full rebuild heads get seats intake and exhaust, along with new valves. Be sure to check pushrod/lifter preload as they are often close to being bottomed out. Use the .059" shorter 6.4 pushrods.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by Dave Koehler »

cpmotors wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 2:15 pm Use the .059" shorter 6.4 pushrods.
I have seen that mentioned here and there. What is the deal with that?
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by cpmotors »

Dave Koehler wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 2:20 pm
cpmotors wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 2:15 pm Use the .059" shorter 6.4 pushrods.
I have seen that mentioned here and there. What is the deal with that?
IMO from what I've seen, the 6.0L pushrod length vs tolerance stack of the block, heads, rockers, rocker bridges and tip heights all adds up to a lifter plunger that is very close to if not bottomed out in lifter. Any material removed off head or tip height change maxes out the lifter travel. The 6.4 went to the shorter pushrod, and the replacement 6.0L from Ford is actually the 6.4L, as the part number was superseded from what I found a few years ago. I found out the fun way when the local shop I was doing them for decided to not bother checking lifter preload like I told them too before I would start doing heads for them. It bit them and me when I did a complete shortblock and heads for them with a cam that is stock lift. They bolted the heads on and used impact to install rocker setup, not paying attention that the lifters had bottomed out and held the vavles open just enough to kill the cylinder pressure. They spent a day looking for an issue before calling me to claim I needed to redo the entire thing. Went up and found the issue with the pushrods for them. Tried to put the blame on me for not telling them, when they wouldn't let me ever assemble the entire engine to check it.
That was the end of doing work for them.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by Dave Koehler »

Thanks,
Sometimes you have to fire the customer.
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Re: Ford Diesel 6.0 Head Re-surface

Post by COMP461 »

I do a lot push rods for this aplacation where we account for decking the head for a guy that rebuilds school bus motors on the 6.0 and 6.4
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