THIS is exactly why I don't dare buy a 6.0/6.4L truck. The truck the engine is in is great. The engine and such..... NO THANKS
Prior to a few months ago, I would have argued that they have well defined problems that can be addressed. I'm starting to rethink that theory. I still don't think they are that bad, I am thinking mine was just timed wrong by the machine shop, but who knows.
I do know that I am to blame for the bottom end damage to this one. I knew it was not right but misdiagnosed it as the infamous head gasket when it was an injector washing the cylinder and the oil. If I had stopped once I noticed it smoking, it would have likely been a single injector replacement for under $300. But, I didn't drive it for weeks like that, just 150 miles which seems pretty mild and likely to happen at night when a person would not see the smoking exhaust, so it isn't a totally unlikely failure.
6.0's are likely the most problematic of the big 3 but also the cheapest to purchase by about $5k in my experience. I am under $10k into this project with a pretty much brand new blue printed/ balanced/studdred and O-ringed motor, and a few non essential things like exhaust, updated mirrors and some other items I added since I was throwing money at it. Still not too bad a deal, IF the M(&#(*^#^*($#$ thing ever starts.
