Why expensive Parts!!! Killing me!

[LHMissions]

I'm getting my head gaskets replaced, new ARP studs, EGR delete (write up from the forum for DIY), new oil cooler heat exchanger, 8- new glow plugs, new radiator, new accessory belt and maybe a 4" turbo back SS exhaust. I just called Ford to get the gasket kit for the 6.0 - over $600! the ARP studs cost me $425 shipped, Radiator is $430 from Ford, oil cooler was $205 from Ebay (OEM Ford part), Glow plugs is another $100, all the fluids - oil and coolant - thats another $150, and the Labor - granted a buddy is helping me and giving me a brake - but still - thats just under $2K (church is helping with this part).
I need a:
- turbo down pipe V-band (mine "melted" next to the turbo)
- info about the quick disconnect for the HPOP (had the HPOP done before but if this is a weak link - might want it looked at now while nothing is in the way

Parts are killing me! I'm still unemployed since March of this year (why the church is stepping up to help with labor) - out of pocket part expenses is brutal!

[scotty2280]

agreed i think alot of the parts for the 6.0 are over priced!

[Snake]

Church is helping you with money?

--Snake

[LHMissions]

Originally Posted by Snake

Church is helping you with money?

--Snake

They are. They offered to pay for the whole thing - but I felt obligated that since it is my truck - even though a missions truck - still my daily driver and that I should pay for something - so I opted to pay for parts.

Didnt realize the extent of what the parts would be!

Currently at:

$600+ for Gasket kit - every upper gasket, o ring, etc
$225 for ARP studs
$430 for new radiator (mine blew the plastic bottom tank out of it)
$205 for oil cooler Heat exchanger replacement rebuild kit
$35 for accessory belt (got 200K miles on it)
$110+ for all 8 glow plugs (all 8 snapped on removal - something about a plastic sheath?)
$??? V clamp at turbo down pipe that needs to be replaced
$100+ for new oil, filter, coolant
And who knows what else!

plus - in the last month I spent $860 (while on mission out of state - got a huge break on labor & parts) new drivers side wheel bearing, new front rotors, and new tie rod bearing.

Plus just prior to that - new pads in front, rear, rear rotors, and one rear caliber!

I'm dying here! I'm hemoriging money!

[cartmanea]

I think you can get the head gaskets from RCD without getting the full kit with stock bolts, might be cheaper.

[LHMissions]

the stock Ford head gaskets are the cheap part apparently. Something like $140 for both sides (and come with new Ford head bolts regardless) its all the other gaskets, o rings, dowels, etc that is jacking the cost up. if i part it I'm sure to miss something. I talked to Koons Ford in Annapolis and my independent mechanic and both are highly recommending the entire upper gasket kit - my mechanic noted spending $5 for some o ring is cheaper then having a failure on the factory part and having to tear everything back off to fix it.

Keep in mind - my truck has 200,000 miles on it - the head gaskets failed (factory head studs) at 200,000 miles (well - 199,400 miles - close enough though). So all the gaskets, o rings, etc all have 200K miles on them.

Ford asked me if I had any problems with the EGR system - I told him I unplugged it 50,000 miles ago after it repeaditly left me chugging and puking in active intersections. I told him that I was deleting it while replacing the head gaskets. He told me that deleting the EGR was the best thing i could do for this engine!