Ok guys, after the first round of good advice from everybody I did some more research and testing.

First...Engine starts fast...very little smoke of any kind at all operating temps from cold to warmed up...little bit of black smoke when punching it.

Second...Engine uses about a quart of oil every other fill-up...Oil analysis came back good...

Third...Warm engine compression test...lowest was 375 at #2 & #6 cylinders...highest was 425 on all other cylinders...

Fourth...Engine does not have any "knocks" top or bottom...

So, I think I will chance it and not rebuild, but instead install a new banks sidewinder turbo. I will also have heads done with high temp valves and 7.3 turbo'd rockers and head studs and new head gaskets as well as BB injectors and new IP.

Questions? Which head studs and head gaskets should I use? Maybe copper gaskets???

Also, should I use 7.3 turbo'd exhaust manifolds? If so, should I polish the ports?

The turbo as you know is wastegated and the kit came with exhaust system.

What am I forgetting? More advice please and any other thoughts will be appreciated....

BeerCan500

 

Sound like you are on the right track, as the oil consumption could be from worn valve guides. There are no differences in the rockers between a turboed and non turboed 7.3. As far as I know Arp only makes one stud kit for the 6.9, on the head gasket, a standard, good quality one will do the trick. The exhust mannys for the F series 6.9 threw the turboed 7.3 IDI are the same.

 

Sounds like a plan. If it were me, id just do a full rebuild since your halfway there already, sort-o speak lol.

 

Plus, you wont know the condition of everything till you pull the head. And your compressions arent that far off.

 

Sounds like a good engine in my opinion. As others have said, it may be that your oil use is coming from the guides. They werent as tight in the 6.9 as the 7.3 and tended to burn a little more oil. The fact that it starts and runs good with no smoke also indicates mild oil use.

 

...and don't forget a clogged CDR can make them suck oil too.