Considering replacing the engine on an '02 E350 with a rebuilt version of the same (7.3t). I see they're available on the web for anywhere from $2500 - $7500.

I've never taken on a project like that, what am I realistically getting into?

Some specific Q's:

• what would a shop charge to do the work? This is way over my head.
• what items would I want to replace while doing it (e.g. water pump, motor mounts, etc)?
• any obvious upgrades to consider with high ROI (e.g. HPX mod or turbo rebuild)? It's just a work van so not looking to tweak a whole lot.
• what would I realistically expect to pay for a quality rebuilt engine? Any particular vendors to trust or avoid?
• What should I expect for a grand total bill?

Here's a for example engine for $3100 - Blackwater Engines - Remanufactured Ford, International, Navistar, - 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel

Also I have the 4spd AT which is working fine but sure seems like it'd be better with a 5spd if it were a reasonable change. What do you think?

 

Thats a pretty good deal for what your getting.

 

Here is another option for an engine.

Riffraff Diesel: Ford Enhanced Long Block

A turbo rebuild is easy and will only run you a $75
Riffraff Diesel: Garrett GTP38 Journal Bearing Rebuild Kit


Not sure on the price for labor. It should be a somewhat fixed labor, each shop may charge differently though

 

Clay says I am not allowed to buy one of those motors... LOL

 

Oh, I'll bet he will sell you one. It may just come with some fine print.

 

I just had a low mile (56k) 7.3 installed in my 2003 F-250. The independent shop charged about $1k for the labor, but he did a lot of extras...

While the engine is waiting to be installed, you should do:

New water pump
New freeze plugs
New rear main seal
New transmission seal
check and fix any oil leaks

I think on most re manufactured engines, etc.. you need to use most of your plumbing, turbo, etc. and you may need to send the old engine back as a 'core'.

The shop may quote a fixed price, but they may 'find' additional work once they are in there.

Good luck!!!!!

 

^^ That's great info, thanks. Remember what your total bill was? Can I ask?

What about glow plugs, injectors or any random sensors that commonly fail?

 

I believe the going rate for a swap is appx $1000.00..I just went through this but I have a friend that owns the shop and was allowed to do a lot of the work myself..As far as what to replace,I may have went over board but here is the list
new hoses,belt,water pump,ICP,IPR, all o-rings,rebuild fuel filter,shave exhaust manifolds,if using old HPOP replace those o-rings as well..I would alse install Clays "plenum inserts"http://www.riffraffdiesel.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RRD&Product_Co de=RDPPRI&Category_Code=F731-RDP-PRI, also all the parker sleeves on the fuel system...

 

You say this is just a work truck ! I think I would be hitting the salvage yards for a low or fairly low mileage engine!

Smokie

 

Yup... CL motor in my truck now that I paid $800 for... Sold all the crap I didnt need and am in it for about $400... Been there for 40k now.

 

It's a passenger van used to shuttle clients around the backcountry in some pretty remote places. Typically driven by staff who wouldn't know to keep an eye on EGT's for example.

In the off-season I pull the seats & it becomes my RV so to speak. So it's nice to tweak a few things but it has to stay simple.

The existing powertrain has 350k miles and the engine doesn't feel super "willing" if that makes sense. And it wasn't maintained well for most of its life I believe (previous owner).

Thinking a rebuild would probably do it some good but given the mileage I don't want to throw too much money at it, who knows when it'll just die.

Then again the chassis seems fine, maybe with a new motor it'll go another 10 yrs. What would you do?

I'm maybe $9k into it, resale is maybe $7k realistically. So if replacing the motor is a $10k project I'd be better off selling & finding another probably. But I'd likely just leave it as is & run it into the ground.

 

As for locating a salvage motor, what's the best way to go about that? Ebay? We don't have a lot of salvage in my area.

Seems like there's a lot of Expedition engines around, any reason why that block wouldn't work in a van?

 

Here ya go ! Just plugin the info! Most have toll free numbers so you can talk to them about it!!

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Smokie

 

Did you mean Excursion? Expeditions have 5.4L gas motors. A 7.3 from an Excursion will work just fine, but you'll need to swap your turbo since your van doesn't have a CAC.

 

Right, Excursion, sorry.

I tried that parts search, most all those are high mileage or have special circumstances (damaged valve covers for example) and the price isn't much better than a reman unit. So given that I'm new to this I'd be better just buying a rebuilt all-in-one probably.