Getting ARP studs, anything else?

[swilson143]

This all started with my engine temp spiking 2 months ago while pulling a grade with my toy hauler in tow. Dealer said it was the oil cooler and put in a new one. 2 trips since then I've puked coolant out the degas bottle, and on the most recent the temp spiked again. So today the dealer called and said its the head gaskets and (already knowning I'd be interested) offered to put in the ARP studs.

Catch is... in addition to the cost of the ARPs, they want $500 to lift the cab, claiming that they normally do their head gasket jobs with the body on, but that switching to ARPs will require the cab lift. Just want to check with you guys that this all seems correct. I've read of some people doing the studs w/o the cab lift.

Also... while they're in there, anything else I'd be stupid not to have them do?

[abbe]

Not that iv ehad them done but what would cause them to have to lift the cab with the arp's and not with the normal studs? Sounds like the tech wants a little pocket money

[cliford]

Originally Posted by swilson143

This all started with my engine temp spiking 2 months ago while pulling a grade with my toy hauler in tow. Dealer said it was the oil cooler and put in a new one. 2 trips since then I've puked coolant out the degas bottle, and on the most recent the temp spiked again. So today the dealer called and said its the head gaskets and (already knowning I'd be interested) offered to put in the ARP studs.

Catch is... in addition to the cost of the ARPs, they want $500 to lift the cab, claiming that they normally do their head gasket jobs with the body on, but that switching to ARPs will require the cab lift. Just want to check with you guys that this all seems correct. I've read of some people doing the studs w/o the cab lift.

Also... while they're in there, anything else I'd be stupid not to have them do?

i believe ford says a head gasket job calls for cab off. but are they doing this under warranty work? and only charging you 500? if that is the case i would pay the 500.

[Robsr]

Its actually easier to lift the cab, lol! I would pay to have the heads sent out and checked for flatness, and corrected if need be, have the injector cups and head pressure tested. most likely the stock heads are not straight. you will sleep better at night knowing you did this provided there is a reputable machine shop who has 6.0 head experience in your area. It cost me $450 to have this done. I would never do the job without doing this but I must warranty my work. this is money well spent IMO

[swilson143]

Thanks for the input! I'll look into it!

[alwil]

I was under the impresion Ford was not allowed to machine heads on a warranty job.....just replace.

I was also under the impression they always lifted the cab....not sure on this one though.
500$ for a stud job is good though I would not cause waves either way.

[99dieselsmoke]

Is that with them supplying the studs or you buying them? I bought my studs for $425 and had to pay $75 for an extra hours labor of installing the studs. I had all this done under warranty. And yes the tech that did mine said it's a hell of alot easier pulling the cab.

[DunesRunner08]

the cab always gets pulled to do the stud and head gaskets... you can change out the studs with cab on by going one by one but its a PITA.... but to replace the gasket the cab has to come off... they are just trying to get a little money out of you but its way cheaper than paying the full bill.... however, you will want to have the heads milled for sure... they are almost always warped or cracked when the head gasket goes... since the engine wil be torn down and EGR delete would be a very good ivestment as well... since that system is the main reason for head gaskets to blow out....

[Jason.]

Cab always comes off, the tech wants some pocket money, but $500 still isn't bad. I tipped my tech $300 just for doing it because bartow ford here in FL doesn't do studs, so I gave him $300 to change his mind. haha

[swilson143]

The $500 is labor only... I had to buy the studs myself.