On a 7.3, they usually go for about 150k miles.

 

I sleeved the back two holes on my 7.3, got 8,000 on it with no problems, anthor guy I know has been running one with all eight sleeved for years. We both use your trucks for heavy hualing. if your machine shop knows what its doing you wont have problems.

 

I have a 91 7.3 under 100,000 idi with a little bit of pits in cyl. wall about half way down cyl. can this just be poor factory casting, or cavitation or from burning a little water as the head gaskets are out?

 

And if in worst case, rather than boring what is a estimated cost per hole to sleeve would you say?

 

sounds to me like the engine sat for some time in the past and you have some pitting from a cylinder that sat still. You cant see cavitaion damage from looking down the cylinder. you seem to be convinced that your engine is a grenade ready to go off... Unless you know for sure that the PO neglected the coolant SCA's your block is fine. The cavitation problem was on the left bank valley side of the block about 2 inches down the bore. cavitation can happen in any cylinder but the trend was for it to happen in 2 or 4 Each side of the block's cooling is seperate from the other side. you can check for pin holes with a bare block with some work making block off plates for the coolant holes on the front of the block and some rubber for a temporary head gasket use the hole in the side of the block to introduce water pressure. If water comes out pin holes you have cavitaion. If you don't want to go through this much work to check your block? you need to buy another block you feel better about.

 

I'm having the same issue with water in my oil. Going to get a pressure tester for the radiator tomorrow. What I don't understand is why I'm getting this same water oil mix in my valley pan. When the truck runs, and warms the valley pan fills up and eventually starts running down the back of the motor. I can't seem to tell where it's coming from. Is it possible that the oil return for the turbo is clogged and backing up into the pan?

My radiator level has remained pretty consistent, but I guess it doesn't take much water to contaminate the oil. Any help would be appreciated.