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Old 02-08-2020, 07:42 PM   #1
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Exclamation 6.0 Diesel engine concerns?

I'm wondering if the E-450 2004 6.0 diesel engine is a reliable and if this shuttle would be worth converting. I'm not interested in breaking down after the expensive conversion.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/d...058109338.html


There is also a gas option we're considering. Would there be an upside to this gas motor?

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/r...069093280.html


Not sure if this is the right thread but thanks for any insight!

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Old 02-08-2020, 08:22 PM   #2
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Wonder why that ad says "NEW" 6.0L diesel engine? That last one blew up! I would take a V-10 gas over a 6.0L diesel any day. Both are way over-priced. Keep looking. Wanting a Ford van chassis? see the vid below......

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Old 02-08-2020, 09:28 PM   #3
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Old 02-09-2020, 08:02 AM   #4
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I'll throw an alternative take in on this. A 6.0 with only 8k miles is new enough that you can bulletproof it. I wouldn't say that about one with 50k on it as i expect damage has already been done, but the engine's fatal flaws are well known and solutions exist in the market. After bulletproofing, the 6.0 can be really good.

With that said, the process is not inexpensive. That bus isn't my cup o tea but if it is yours and you're not averse to dropping another couple grand into it for a motor that should last a very long time, its not out of the question

Edit: I should make it very clear that unless you're bulletproofing it you should avoid at all costs.
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Old 02-09-2020, 03:23 PM   #5
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So this guy is willing to take $7,000, is that still overpriced?

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/r...069093280.html
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:19 PM   #6
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I was told it took $10,000 to pay someone to bullet proof it, it's fords first iteration at their own diesel engine with EGR and it sucks. Run away don't walk.
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Old 02-11-2020, 11:18 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by sportyrick View Post
I was told it took $10,000 to pay someone to bullet proof it, it's fords first iteration at their own diesel engine with EGR and it sucks. Run away don't walk.
$2500 at a local shop here for EGR delete, oil cooler and coolant filter.

Head studs are not needed unless you want to make a bunch of horsepower.

I know of an E450 Thomas five window with the 6.0 Powerstroke and the 140k miles for $2500. I think that it may be worth expanding your search area to find a good bus.

I watched the auction sites daily for about eighteen months and bid on a dozen or more before I was successful. I got just what I wanted. Winning bid was $3450.
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Old 02-11-2020, 12:27 PM   #8
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the $10,000 I was speaking of was to upgrade the EGR and related items plus a new turbo, not a delete which you couldn't do in some cities.
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Old 02-11-2020, 01:06 PM   #9
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the $10,000 I was speaking of was to upgrade the EGR and related items plus a new turbo, not a delete which you couldn't do in some cities.
Fortunately, we have no smog testing or inspections here. I have not had to get a vehicle smogged in 25 years.... Dang.... I'm getting old....
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Old 02-15-2020, 04:19 PM   #10
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The 6.0 is a bomb UNLESS you take it in to the specialty shops that can Bullet Proof it- they make some changes here and there but when it’s done you have a great power plant. As for gas- ugh. I’d go find a 466dt unit. Diesel is great with busses. Cheers
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Old 02-16-2020, 12:17 PM   #11
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Stay away from the 6.0. I had one. Started going bad after only a few thousand miles. Bad injectors, high pressure oil pump and something else. In the shop 7 times the first year. Sued Ford for a new motor and won.
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Old 02-16-2020, 03:39 PM   #12
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The van chassis 6.0's weren't tuned as "hot" as their truck counterparts that were trying to keep pace with the output from chevy's 6.6 duramax at the time, so there weren't quite as many issues with the 6.0 in that particular form. That being said, the issues are well documented and can be dealt with. The question would be this: did they install a new long block including ALL of the emissions gear (EGR, EGR cooler, etc) or is it just a new short block with all of the old ancillary equipment slapped on? Many of the problems stemmed from materials left over from the casting of the block making their way into the EGR cooler and gumming things up or chewing through water pump seals. Additionally, the heads are held in place with 4 bolts per cylinder and are shared between cylinders, so the head gaskets are prone to leaking at higher cylinder pressures, hence the main part of "bulletproofing" is to install ARP studs that provide additional clamping force for the heads. It's more or less a "cab off" preventative job when talking about doing it on a van.

The 6.0 can be a rocket if it's handled appropriately, but for those looking for something simple to just get rolling with, I'd steer clear unless the work has already been completed and documented well.

PS: First post. Hi everyone!
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