If you've owned a Super Duty for more than a week, you most likely already know that will finding the best 6. 0 powerstroke heads is generally a rite associated with passage for every single owner. We just about all know the reputation of the 6. 0L engine. It's a powerhouse when it's running right, yet those factory heads? They've caused many headaches and vacant wallets over the years. Honestly, the 6. 0 will get a bad rap, but most of those issues originate from the proven fact that the original products from Ford just wasn't built to handle heat and pressure these motors can generate, specifically once you begin adding a tuner or a larger turbo.
The problem usually starts with a very little little bit of white smoke or a cooling program that's puking coolant out of the degas bottle. A person realize the head gaskets have let go, plus suddenly you're looking at a huge repair bill. Yet here's the issue: if you're heading to tear the particular engine down that will far, you shouldn't just slap a collection of OEM-style remans back again on there and hope for the best. You want something that actually solves the problem so you don't have to do this job again in one more 50, 000 mls.
Why the Factory Heads Often Fail
Just before we get into which brands create the best 6. 0 powerstroke heads, it's worth speaking about why the particular stock ones are incredibly prone to failure. The 6. zero heads are produced of cast metal, which sounds difficult, but the casting itself is pretty thin in some essential areas. Specifically, they tend to crack around the valve seats and the injector bores. Once those cracks begin, it's game more than.
Upon top of that will, the factory mind bolts are "stretch" bolts (torque-to-yield). They're designed to extend a bit, which usually is fine for a stock grocery store getter, but below high cylinder pressure, they stretch too much. This allows the head to lift slightly off the block out, and that's when your head gasket gets torched. Therefore, when people speak about "bulletproofing" a 6. 0, they're usually discussing repairing these specific structural weaknesses.
Exactly what to Look with regard to in an Auto aftermarket Head
When you start shopping around, you'll notice two main paths: brand-new castings or high-end refurbished heads. Both possess their perks, yet the best six. 0 powerstroke heads usually share a few common features.
First, look for fuller castings . A few of the top-tier aftermarket heads use significantly more iron in the particular deck surface. This extra meat helps prevent the head from warping or cracking when things get hot. Second, you want to appear at O-ringing . If you're planning on making any kind of real energy, O-ringed heads are the gold standard. A small groove is machined into the mind, plus a stainless steel wire is pushed in. This cable bites to the head gasket, developing a mechanical seal that's way stronger than the gasket alone.
The Top Opportunities for Your Vehicle
There are a few brands that always come upward when you request 6. 0 guys what they're operating. It's not the huge list, mainly because it requires a lot of specialized equipment to get these heads right.
Kill Satan Diesel (KDD)
If you invest any time upon the forums or in Facebook groups, you've definitely noticed of KDD. They may be widely considered to make some of the best 6. zero powerstroke heads on the market. What makes them endure out is that will they offer brand-new iron castings. They didn't just copy the Ford style; they improved it. Their heads feature thicker decks plus reinforced cooling jackets.
Exactly what I love regarding KDD is that they offer different "stages. " In the event that you just need reliable daily car owner, their 100% fresh stock-plus heads great. If you're creating a competition truck, they've got options with upgraded valve suspension systems and porting. They've really done the legwork to confirm their heads are designed for some serious misuse.
Powerfully Built / UCF Device Shop
An additional name that has a lot of weight is UCF. They're a machine store that has perfected the art of the particular 6. 0 reman. Now, I understand I said previously to become wary associated with remans, but UCF is the exclusion. They pressure test every head in order to a long degree plus use a proprietary procedure to guarantee the deck will be perfectly flat.
They're famous for their O-ring work. In case you send them your cores or buy a place from them, you could be pretty sure they're likely to be slimmer and smoother than something that ever arrived off the Ford set up line. It's the great option in the event that you want in order to save a little bit of money compared to the brand-new casting but nevertheless want "done as soon as, done right" reliability.
Promaxx
Promaxx is an additional big player that will offers brand-new castings. A lot of guys like these because they're usually available and ready to ship. Like the KDD heads, these are new iron, not really old cores that have been cleansed up. They've beefed up the places where the manufacturing plant heads usually split, making them a solid choice for anyone who just wants a fresh start with no worrying about hidden cracks in an utilized set of heads.
To O-Ring or Not in order to O-Ring?
This particular is a large debate in the 6. 0 local community. If you're searching for the best 6. 0 powerstroke heads, you have to determine if that extra machining is well worth the cost. In my opinion? Just do this.
The cost of the particular O-ring process is usually usually a several hundred bucks. In comparison to the overall cost of the head gasket job—which can easily run $4, 000 to $6, 000 depending upon who's doing it labor—it's cheap insurance. When you ever plan on towing weighty or running a spicy tune, that O-ring is what's heading to keep your own gaskets in a single piece. It's the particular closest thing to a "permanent" fix for that 6. 0's mind gasket woes.
The Supporting Solid: Studs and Gaskets
You can buy the priciest, beefiest set of heads on the planet, but if putting them back upon with factory head bolts, you're simply wasting money. To truly get the most out of the particular best 6. 0 powerstroke heads, a person must use ARP head studs.
In contrast to the factory bolts, ARP studs don't stretch. They grip those heads lower to the wedge with a massive amount of force and remain that way. Furthermore, stick with OE Ford (Motorcraft) head gaskets. Ironically, whilst Ford's heads plus bolts were a bit of a mess, their multi-layer steel (MLS) mechanical seals are actually fantastic. Most experts agree that will the mixture of auto aftermarket heads, O-rings, ARP studs, and OEM gaskets will be the succeeding formula.
Final Thoughts on Making the Choice
At the end of the day, picking the best 6. zero powerstroke heads comes down to your budget and what you use the vehicle for. If you've got the cash, a collection of brand-new KDD or Promaxx heads with O-rings will be hard to beat. You're getting new metal and up-to-date designs that solve the 20-year-old difficulties Ford left us with.
In case you're on the bit more of the budget, a high-quality reman from a shop like UCF is a flawlessly viable way in order to go. Just be sure whomever does the task is intimately acquainted with the 6. 0's quirks. This isn't an motor where you want in order to go to the particular cheapest local device shop that generally works on small-block Chevys.
The 6. 0 Powerstroke is the monster of a good engine when you get the top finish sorted out. It sounds better than almost any other diesel powered, and the throttle response is incredible. Trading in a quality set of heads isn't just about fixing an outflow; it's about lastly being able in order to drive your truck without constantly glancing at the temperature gauge or worrying regarding that next smoke of white smoke cigarettes. Do it as soon as, do it best, and you'll actually get to appreciate why you purchased a diesel within the first location.