Best 6.0 Powerstroke Heads of 2021 – Complete Review

| Last Updated: December 25, 2021

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Everybody loves a high-performing engine particularly diesel truck owners who are continually looking to increase torque and horsepower of their engine. Parts of an engine are engineered to perform at certain power levels but these levels can be exceeded by making some modifications. One such component is the head. For people who want to add more power to their 6.0 Powerstroke engine, heads are a perfect solution as they provide better resistance to fatigue and a greater and even clamping force.

Comparison Chart of the Best 6.0 Powerstroke Heads

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Compatible with 2003-2007 Powerstroke models
  • Black oxide finish protects from wear and tear
  • Constructed with 12-point nuts and backed by a tested strength of 220,000 PSI
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  • Ford 6.0 Powerstroke​ Complete Cylinder Head Pair
  • Brand new valves, springs, retainer, and locks
  • No Cores required
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  • Best for the Money
  • No modification required for installation
  • Heavy-duty and new design
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  • Best 6.0 Powerstroke Performance Heads
  • Thermally treated at high pressure for better structural strength
  • Can withstand high pressures and high temperatures
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  • Reinforced castings make heads more durable
  • Comes fully assembled
  • Won't crack in case of overheating vehicle
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Are All Heads The Same?

When you are looking for the best 6.0 Powerstroke heads, it is best to remember that not all heads are the same. First of all, they differ in size. Some engines work best with smaller heads while some exhibit great performance when paired with larger heads. Smaller strokes also produce less noise than others.  

Powerstroke heads very in price range as well. You will need to compare performance capabilities and size with the price to get a good quality product. Another thing that you should consider is the amount of power the different heads provide. 

How to Choose Quality 6.0 Powerstroke Heads

An engine is driven by a very complex mechanism with cylinder heads as one of its main consistent parts. There are a number of heads available for 6.0 Powerstroke. You should weigh the features of the various models before investing in one:

Material

Powerstroke heads are made of different materials such as alloyed cast iron and aluminum alloy. Each type of alloy has some features that make it superior to other materials. For example, cast iron has high solidity that makes it much heavier than aluminum and exposable to corrosion. Pay careful attention to the specifications of your engine and the heads to make sure that you choose the best product for your vehicle.

6.0L Head Stud Replacement Kit by Sunluway is made of Chrome Moly 8740 Alloy Steel.

Size

Some cars need a more powerful engine than others. These engines need components of different size to burn the air-fuel mix in order to produce more energy. When choosing a Powerstroke head make sure that you choose a model that is compatible with your engine.

Quality

Your engine needs quality components to perform optimally. Choosing a low-quality product not only affects the performance of your engine, but it also costs more money in the long run. If you choose a product that is available at a lower price but does not have good customer reviews it might cost you more in the long run. You may have to take your vehicle to a mechanic for maintenance and invest in a durable and reliable product. 

Review of the Best 6.0 Powerstroke Heads

Choosing the best 6.0 Powerstroke head is quite a technical and difficult job. In order to choose the best heads for your vehicles, make sure that you read the following reviews of some of the top quality products available. This will help you to keep your engine happy and not put too much of a burden on your pocket: 

Best Overall & Best for the Money:
6.0L Head Stud Replacement Kit

PROS

  • Black oxide finish offers protection from wear and tear
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed with a full refund in 30 days
  • Parallel-ground washers and 12-point nuts for enhanced safety
  • Engineered to extract maximum performance from your vehicle
  • Compatible with a number of Excursion and Club Wagon 6.0L Diesel Ford Powerstroke Models

CONS

  • Soldering the smaller pieces may require extra skill

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find this kit particularly great for added performance and reliability. It is compatible with a number of Ford 6.0L Powerstroke models. This kit is designed with high-quality materials that provide users with a durable and safe product. Moreover, it provides complete peace of mind to its users because of its easy and simple return policy. If you are not completely satisfied with this product you can claim a full refund within thirty days.   

Who Will Use This Most

This kit is designed for people who own the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke or those looking for a reliable replacement for their vehicle’s cylinder heads. It holds up extremely well to the pressure that a 6.0L engine demands. Moreover, it comes with a soldering tool that makes the installation of this unit a breeze.   

Bottom Line

The 6.0L head replacement kit by Sunluway is an ideal solution for well-known problems faced by many Ford 6.0L Powerstroke engines. They have a greater clamping force and enhance the reliability of your vehicle considerably. Its innovative design and high-quality components make it an outstanding product that is very easy to use.

Runner-up:
6.0 Ford Powerstroke Diesel LOADED Cylinder Head

PROS

  • Does not require any cores
  • Great packaging and customer service
  • Innovative design ensures tight sealing
  • Brand new retainer, locks, springs, and valves
  • Durable and reliable complete cylinder head pair

CONS

  • Some people do not find its quality impressive

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find these high-performing heads to be reliable and durable. They are designed with an O-ring head with an extra groove around each cylinder which improves sealing. It does not allow any air-fuel mix to leak into the engine. These cylinder heads are made of cast iron which makes them highly durable.

Who Will Use This Most

This is a great product for 6.0 Powerstroke. People who own a Ford truck will find this very useful as it will increase the power of their engine. Its reasonable price makes it fit everyone’s budget. They are made with cast iron which ensures that they will keep your engine running optimally for a long time.

Bottom Line

The 6.0 Ford Powerstroke Diesel Loaded cylinder head will make your truck perform like new and allow the engine to run efficiently for many miles. Its innovative design and excellent performance will give your engine more power, thus making it run smoothly.  

3. Mophorn Cylinder Head Powerstroke

PROS

  • Does not require any cores
  • Does not require any modification
  • Complete Cylinder Head Pair for Ford
  • Tested regularly to ensure a safe product
  • Brand new springs, valves, locks, and retainer

CONS

  • May require extra effort to fit perfectly

Why it Stands Out to Us

The amazing thing about these heads is that they are bare. Some users may be of the opinion that this feature will adversely affect their performance or may become a safety issue but that is not the case. They are a perfectly safe product that is regularly tested to ensure their quality.

Who Will Use This Most

These heads are designed to fit a number of Ford engines including F-150, F-250, F-350, and F-550. They are ideal for people who want a product that is not only safe but also helps to enhance the performance of their vehicle’s engine. It is economical and will work efficiently for many years.

Bottom Line

The Mophorn Cylinder Head Powerstroke is a completely safe and reliable product that does not provide too much of a burden on your budget. Even at such an economical price, this cylinder head excels at performance. These products are factory tested thus users can be sure that there will be no compromise on quality.  

Best 6.0 Powerstroke Performance Heads:
LIMICAR Cylinder Head Stud Set

PROS

  • Meets all OE specifications
  • Thermally treated to increase structural strength
  • Carefully shaped into a straight, concentric, and balanced component
  • Able to withstand high temperatures, high pressures, and aggressive conditions of a vehicle
  • Gives technicians the exact number of gaskets required in the installation of an assembled head

CONS

  • Does not come with any instructions

Why it Stands Out to Us

This model stands out to us for several different reasons. Firstly, it’s able to withstand all the harsh conditions present in a modern engine compartment. Secondly, the unit is thermally treated at incredibly high temperatures to boost structural integrity. Lastly, it’s innovatively designed with precise cuts to create a concentric and balanced component. 

Who Will Use This Most

This model is ideal for 2003 to 2007 Ford F250 and F350 trucks. It’s also suitable for 2004 to 2006 Ford E350 vans. Lastly, it can also be used with 2003-2005 Ford Excursion models.

Bottom Line

To put it simply, this unit is undoubtedly one of the best 6.0 Powerstroke heads available today. It boasts excellent structural strength and a concentric and balanced design. However, it does include any instructions and a professional mechanic will be required for installation.

Editor's Pick:
Cylinder Heads by ADV Cylinder Heads

PROS

  • Does not require any assembly
  • Backed by an unlimited mile, 3-year warranty
  • OCD and CBN milled for an incredibly smooth finish
  • All heads are pressure tested for reliability and longevity
  • Reinforced castings ensure durability and make the unit less vulnerable to cracking in case the vehicle overheats

PROS

  • Any labor or additional costs are not covered by the warranty

Why it Stands Out to Us

This unit primarily stands out to us because of its quality and construction. To ensure excellent performance, all the heads were pressure tested in several different ways. The valves were further vacuum tested for perfect compression, while all the fuel rails were also pressure tested to ensure casting integrity.

Who Will Use This Most

This unit is specially constructed for turbo diesel engines. It’s ideal for all Ford F-550, F-450, F-350, and F-250 models from 2002 to 2006.

Bottom Line

All in all, this model certainly deserves a place on our list of top picks. All heads are OCD milled, CBM milled, and pressure tested to ensure durability, longevity, and reliability. Furthermore, the reinforced castings protect the unit from cracking if the vehicle overheats. Although it is backed by a 3-year warranty, the warranty does not cover any additional costs.

How to Clean Powerstroke Heads

Cylinder heads play a vital role in the internal combustion process. They not only control the intake of fuel and air, but they also monitor the expulsion of exhaust gasses as well. Although cylinder heads comprise of many small parts, cleaning it is fairly easy. Just be careful not to damage the surface of the cylinder head and to completely disassemble it before cleaning it. Follow the steps below to clean your cylinder heads easily and effectively:

  1. Before getting started, gather the necessary tools and equipment to properly clean your cylinder heads. These include parts or brake cleaner, canned air or access to an air compressor, paper towels or rags, two large buckets or tubs, and a plastic scraper.  

  2. Completely disassemble the cylinder head making sure not to lose any small pieces.

  3. You will be using chemical cleaning agents to clean your cylinder heads. Prolonged contact with these agents can be a serious hazard to your eyes and can cause irritation to your skin. Therefore, you should wear appropriate safety equipment such as chemical resistant gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself.

  4. Before starting cleaning the cylinder heads determine the kind of material used to produce these heads. Aluminum is a softer metal and is more prone to damage in the cleaning process. You can check the service manual to know what type of metal your cylinder heads are made of.

  5. There is a possibility that there will be some head gasket material on your cylinder head. This head gasket forms a seal between the engine block and the head. Scrape off any remaining gasket with the help of a plastic scraper.

  6. Be careful not to damage or scratch the area of the cylinder head where the gasket material is present. Any damage or scratch can lead to gasket failure when the account is assembled again. Do not use any metal tools as they can cause damage to the cylinder head surface. Make sure all the previous gasket material is completely scraped off for a propeeal.   

  7. After removing the gasket material, submerge the cylinder head in a tub filled with liquid parts cleaner to effectively clean the head.  r sUse a cleaning agent and a rag to clean every part of the cylinder head that you can access. Spray or pour cleaner on the areas that you are unable to reach in order to effectively clean every portion of the cylinder head.

  8. After scrubbing the cylinder head, put it in a second tub filled with warm water. Make sure that the head is fully submerged.    

  9. Remove the head from the water and use a clean rag to wipe it gently to remove as much water as possible.

  10. Use an air compressor or a can of compressed air to dry the head completely as well as remove any remaining dust or debris.

  11. Make sure the head is completely dry before assembling it again.

  12. Before re-assembling the clean cylinder heads inspect them to make sure that there is no damage.

Reassembly and proper installation of a cylinder head require a significant investment of time. If you want to learn more about this cleaning process, you can watch the video in the following link.  

Conclusion

The 6.0L Powerstroke is a great product when it comes to drivability, horsepower, and meeting modern-day emission standards. It consists of many essential parts including cylinder heads. They support exhaust and intake allowing gases to exit and enter, and control the combustion process.

Therefore, it is vital to get a good quality Powerstroke head to ensure the safety and performance of your engine. Read the reviews of the products above and figure out the specifics to pick the right product for yourself.  

People Also Ask

Selecting the best cylinder heads for your 6.0L Powerstroke is important to get the maximum out of your engine. However, choosing one product out of hundreds of products available is not an easy job.  You need to carefully research their specifications and read online reviews to determine which product will suit you best. In addition, answers to the following questions will also make your job quite easy:

How Do I Know if my 6.0 Has a Blown Head Gasket?

There are tests that can help you determine if your 6.0 has a blown head gasket. Also if there is oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil which you can check with your oil dipstick. If the level of coolant keeps dropping then that is a definite sign that your head gaskets are blown.

Watch out for white puffs of smoke from the exhaust. Take the cap off the degas bottle and then run the truck to see if it is bubbling. Another sign of a blown head gasket is if there is less compression that makes it is harder to start your truck, particularly on colder mornings.  

Are 6.0 Powerstroke Heads Aluminum?

The aluminum 6.0 Powerstroke heads available have revolutionized the diesel market. These heads are lighter, dissipate heat quickly, flow more air, and are repairable in case of any damage. These heads are also made of aluminum alloy and alloyed cast iron.     

How Many Cylinders Does a 6.0 Powerstroke Have?

The 6.0L Powerstroke offers four valves per cylinder (32 valve pushrod valve train) and a hydraulically active, high-pressure injection system. It also packs 560 lb-ft and 325 hp right out of the box.

How Do You Prevent a 6.0 Head Gasket From Failing?

The ideal way to prevent a 6.0 Head Gasket from failing is to replace the stock engine oil cooler which is a coolant-to-oil cooler with a Bulletproof Engine Oil Cooler which is an air-to-oil cooler.   

How Much Does a 6.0 Powerstroke Head Weigh?

There are a plethora of 6.0 Powerstroke heads available in the market. They range in weight depending on the products starting from almost fourteen pounds to one hundred pounds.

Sean comes from the forums actually and drives an OBS Ford. He writes fantastic DIYs and knows his way around a camera, too. We keep him caffeinated and away from DPF filters to avoid another rant about recent emissions restrictions.