So I am new to Fords and new to Diesels, but not to wrenches.
I picked up a 94 F350 with the 7.3idi turbo 2wd extended cab to pull my 5th wheel trailer. My old 91 Chevy V3500 with a propane powered 454 just wouldn't do it. So as usual, I bought the lowest priced truck I could find in the best condition ($1000 for a rust free-ish truck with 300,000km and a bad head, or so I was told). The original owner said he had a ford tech diagnose the problem, which was determined to be a cracked head, #2 cylinder. I hit the classifieds, and found a set of rebuilt heads for $400, which I had checked ant a local engine shop. All good so far. Started the tear down, after reading as much as I could. as I pulled the parts, I had them checked, injector pump needs work, and the turbo is still getting looked over.
This weekend I finally got to the exhaust manifolds off, pulled the rockers, and all but 2 push rods. #7 cylinder push rods hit the AC/heater box. On the driver's side the last head bolt hits the cab.

Can these heads come off with the engine in the truck? or should I have pulled it to start with?

Now that I am this far, should I keep going and tear it all down? As you can guess I am a cheap *******. but not really wanting to do this twice.

There is a huge amount of knowledge on this site, and I appreciate any help anyone is willing to give.

 

So far I have taken the turbo and injection pump in for inspection. The pump failed. They say $850 so far, 1400 for a rebuild. I found one on kijiji but its for a non turbo. From what I have read this should be tuneable for the tubo engine...right?
The ones available from the US are listed for specific applications, and they are cheaper,probably including shipping,but I'm a bit nervous of it not working once I get it. Has any one ordered an IP or injectors or kits from these online shops?
Thanks for the help.

 

Order your ip from idiperformance.com he is a member here and does real good work with excellent customer service. I can't tell you for certain how to get those push rods out but can tell you the engine does not need to come out.

 

I agree. I think I cut a little piece of the firewall insulation and ac box insulation to get mine out.

 

Thanks for the insight guys. I may even turn this into a "build thread" as I am going through this truck bumper to bumper so its ready to pull my 5th wheel toy hauler, or the car trailer at a moments notice. I need to do some reading on how to upload the pictures on this sight.
I have fixed the aluminum running boards, and pulled off the broken Racer Back, and cleaned up the fifth wheel hitch and Goose Neck. My Lady did a compete interior detail, now to just get it running....

 

Don't know about the '94, but on my 86 the A/C box under the hood is a two piece, when I pulled the head I removed the inntermost half of it to gain me room to do the head work.

 

So, I removed the complete heater box, AC assembly, wasn't too bad due to a popped AC hose before I bought the truck, and now I have good access to the PS head.
For the driver's side, a buddy suggested I pull the bolt out far enough to clear the threads, and zip tie it, and slide the head off. Sounds crazy enough to work so I will try that if/when my brother in law brings me the Fan clutch wrench he has so I can get the PS/AC mount off the head.

On the down side, the shop I took the turbo and IP to have them checked said $1400 for the turbo repair, and $1400 to rebuild the IP. Man 2800 to fix a $1000.00 truck. Time to surf the web. I am looking at R&D or maybe USDiesel. I just want stock replacement, not entering any tractor pulls or racing, I am building a different truck for the track.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Get the R&D pump, his stock pump is half that price and he knows his stuff:

pumps

There's also a member here that rebuilds turbos, I'll see if I can find his contact info or maybe someone can chime in.

 

Here he is:

Russ


Send him an email regarding your turbo.

 

Thanks Chevy Eater,
I keep looking at RD sight. Looks pretty good just wanted to hear from a customer to get some feedback before sending the $ now the turbo needs work too.

 

There's a very small community of trusted pump builders for an IDI. R+D is one, Conestoga is one, Oregon Fuel Injection is one, and maybe a few here and there. But most of the bigger-name, cheap pumps are not properly rebuilt. More like re-sealed than anything. If you buy something because it's cheap, then you'll deserve whatever pump they send you and whatever problems it has.

Russ can also rebuild your turbo, possibly even rebuild your pump. No need to go trusting a shop's prices or advice on these old engines without looking for other opinions. I can guarantee you that whatever problems you run across with it, someone else has already had it happen and knows how to fix it.