DIY head gasket project. Lots of pics!

[skooter]

So driving my truck the other day I get this funny beep and my odometer said check gauges, I say wtf and look over and my coolant temp is 266*. Oh damn not good so I pull it over to find enough pressure built up in the bottle to dump elc coolant all over the highway. Hmm this is awesome considering this whole motor got replaced a year ago with studs delete all that crap. So I tow the turd home and start the diag. Wouldn't you just know it I have a blown head gasket (black onyx gaskets). Okay cool I'm just dying to spend another $1200.00 on this damn thing that got almost $15,000 in to it last year. So I start the tear down. I'm not paying someone for this crap like I did last time. It's easy! I figure if I can't do it cab on I have no business doing what I do. (I'm a mechanic for a local front end shop with a stupid expensive education saying I should be capable Of doing heads gaskets on a 6 leaker.) Found a lot of cut corners from the shop that did the work last time. That's a whole nother thread on those azz hats! Anyway here's some pics of the tear down. Any questions feel free to ask! If your thinking of trying this or paying someone to do it my best advice for you is grow a pair and get to work. It's not that bad at all!
I'll have more pics up tonight. Sitting at a family function and can't get this life controlling iPhone of mine to upload more pictures.

[f350powerstroke]

I hope u use oem gaskets next time.

[poorboy1964]

that sucks post up more pic for us to see

[skooter]

I asked for factory's last time and found out after 3 months of bs and $15,000 to the shop that did the work they were black onyx gaskets. I had a lot of problems with the shop and I was not about to give them my truck for a second or another dime of my money. I knew better then, the "reputable" shop did not. That's why I'm doing it this time. It's gonna go my way not the recommended way from some cummins driving hack of a shop owner.

[poorboy1964]

you should PM me the name so I don't go there,,, I have been fighting a fuel problem on mine that i can't figure out so I was thinking about taking it in somewhere.
good luck on the project I'm sure you'll be fine, do you have someone lined up to check your heads?

[frakchered]

Subscribed! Although my gaskets are fine now (according to the stealership), I am hoping to the studs one at a time.

[f350powerstroke]

I still can't believe the OP is a mechanic and paid $15,000 for repair work on a truck that could've been paid off (?) and traded in or done right the 1st time around! U have nooo luck buddy..

[skooter]

At the time I had no place to do the work, i was having some family problems that wouldnt allow me to do the work there and i lived in an apartment. I tried to pay it off and get out of it but the way my loan was i really had no choice. Also didn't find out what it was gonna cost til the shop had me by the balls. Otherwise I would have never payed anyone to do it. Oh and sir you are 1,000,000,000,000% right on the no luck part.
Any way no updates yet. Gotta figure out where I'm getting parts then order em so probably be end of the week before anything else happens. Can anyone recommend a good place for what I need. Mkm customs had a heads up gasket set that looked to be a pretty good deal but guess what head gaskets are in the package?! Not factory's! My cost for everything through ford is like 900 bucks. I'm sure I can beat that somewhere online. I already shopped local parts houses and it will be pretty close price wise.

[Tuscany]

well if you lived in ohio i could get you 10% below cost through the local dealer but that can't happen now lol. I would say google toulsey ford and call their parts department. I always see their name on the .org for where to buy factory parts from online or over the phone as most dealers won't touch their prices. i'm sure that others will join in and help you out with where to look but that would be where i would start if i was you.