Ok,

It all started with the oil filter coming undone on its own. Ran motor dry 3 times while driving, and started making bad noises. I have now torn out the motor and found some "Issues".

- 1 Spun Main Bearing
- 2 Missing Injector oilers
- 1 Sheared off Main Bolt
- 1 Broken Piston Ring
- 0 Remaining Cam Bearings
- 2 MAJOR Cracks in the block
- Oil Strainer broken off pickup tube

So,

My quiestion is, how does one crack the block? Check out my Pictures in my profile and let me know your thoughts? There are 2 major cracks in two of the Main journals, right up to the Camshaft. Neither of these journals are the ones that had the spun bearing, however 1 did have the broken Main Bolt.
Going to have a new motor built and running by end of the month, so need to know how to prevent block from failing again. Ideas?

 

The block failed because it was run dry three times! Why was the filter coming loose by itself?

When lubricant is not present, lots of really bad things happen to steel on steel parts. Sorry to hear about having to replace it as that is expensive!

 

I have always heard that you could not hurt a 7.3 by running out of oil because the HPOP would starve first and shut it down. Not trying to start trouble here, just confused.

 

On second thought, are we talking about oil, or water ?

 

I would look into cryo'ing the block. pretty cheap to do...

 

Spilt blocks are not all that uncommon. as we start building more torque, things start to move in funny ways. several companies are offering main girdles, and if I recall correctly there was some talk of building some kinda bridge assm between the heads to keep things together.

Barney

 

Do you need a block? I got one sitting in my shop

 

Ya, I got one here. Down to the Machine shop it goes today, I have to have this motor done and in the truck so I can leave on my hunting trip for August 12th.
Just want to prevent this from happening again.

 

It seems to have cracked right in line with the casting lines... obviously a week spot there. Not sure why, when I didn't think I was running that much power (yet).
Spoke to Ron @ Hypermax today, he said its common for them to fail in the same place mine did. Some blocks are good, some not so good... Guess I'll see what happens with the next one. Ordering Stud Girdle today as well... So... Hope that helps.