Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

An Engine Rebuild/Refresh Thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 03:44 PM
  #16  
MOOSE_MACHINE's Avatar
MOOSE_MACHINE
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by williameub
Oops. Double post. Here another question, how does the International water filter work? Is it a spin on filter to the pump or do you run hoses to a filter base someplace else? I know there is a big long thread on this topic but i can't use the search function on my phone.
The filter base is part of the water pump. It makes for a nice clean install
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 03:45 PM
  #17  
MOOSE_MACHINE's Avatar
MOOSE_MACHINE
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by williameub
I'd be interested in your dipstick adapter. I've been thinking about welding one in my pan for ages!
You might be able to market this JP. I know I'd be interested
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 03:52 PM
  #18  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
Originally Posted by MOOSE_MACHINE
You might be able to market this JP. I know I'd be interested
And make millions?

Problem is that my current plans for it are a 3 step machining process followed by some fine welding work, so it won't be cheap!
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 06:23 AM
  #19  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
As always, I didn’t get as much done this weekend as I’d like, but did get the water pump on and the head studs in (see pics below).

Having done the mod work on the pump itself (grinding off the extra boss, swapping over the temp sender, and adding the heater return fitting), the bolt-up was quite simple. For those of you planning this in the future, don’t forget the extra/different screws you need – 2x 60 mm long and 1x 110 mm long (M8 x 1.25).

As for the head studs, I feel like I was not prepared for the amount of manual labor involved in that job. Swap out 32 bolts with studs, no big deal, right? well, busting loose the old ones is simple enough, but requires some leverage and force. Then, two-stage torqueing the studs to 85, then 125 ft-lbs is hard work! because of this hard work, I had to re-purpose my T4 adaptor plate. …a few times 

I know it can and has been don’t, but this is not a job I’d like to do with the engine in the truck!

Wish I had gotten the LPOP done as well, but that should be a quick one.


Nothing much to look at, but lots of work!
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 06:36 AM
  #20  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
oh, and i quick question on valve spring shimming. i've read through some procedures (mostly on other forums, to be honest) and it seems that 130 lbs is the closed seat force most people are using with the comp cam 910 springs i'll be using.

does this sound right? that works out to essentially the same as the factory installed height. ...so the plan is to check all the valve heights and shim only where necessary to bring it back to ~1.75"

also - i haven't seen anything about checking/replacing the valve stem seals. are they generally OK? i guess they would be if compression on the engine checked out OK - which it did.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 07:52 AM
  #21  
oldbird1965's Avatar
oldbird1965
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
Club FTE Silver Member

I replaced my valve stem seals but like you said, I don't know if it was really necessary. IIRC, it sounds like you are doing the springs right.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 08:19 AM
  #22  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
thanks Glenn, but now that i think of it, stem seals shouldn't have anything to do with compression as the valves are seated against the head to close off the cylinder during compression.

the valves stem seals are to keep exhaust and intake gases out of the valve cover during intake and exhaust strokes... ...right?
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 12:19 PM
  #23  
MOOSE_MACHINE's Avatar
MOOSE_MACHINE
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 9
And oil out
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 12:24 PM
  #24  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
Originally Posted by MOOSE_MACHINE
And oil out
ha. right!

though, with our turbocharged engines, there shouldn't really be much vacuum in the cylinder ever, right?
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 12:25 PM
  #25  
oldbird1965's Avatar
oldbird1965
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
Club FTE Silver Member

I think Nick's got it, not saying your theory is wrong JP.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 01:10 PM
  #26  
DIYMechanic's Avatar
DIYMechanic
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 3
From: Orrville, Ohio
Let me look JP, I may just have a set of valve stem seals that are new in the package. I'll check tonight.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 01:15 PM
  #27  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
that'd be awesome, Nate. the bills are piling up fast, but it'd be nice to have everything new while i'm in there - and not have to tear into it again down the road. aside from valves and seals, the rocker arm and spring retainers will be the only old stuff left under my valve covers when i'm done.

though the next question is - how would replacing the valve stem seals effect the procedure i'm planning on: i.e. with heads still on the block, i'll be installing the injectors to seal up that hole, and using my homemade compression gauge whip to pressurize the cylinder. i've read where guys have not pressurized the cylinder though and just made sure that each cylinder your working on is at the top of its stroke.

Can someone confirm that with the cylinder at the top of its travel, a valve could not fall into the cylider and the stem still be reachable from the top side of the head, even with the stem seal out?

since i have the oil pan off, it'd be quite easy to ensure that i have each cylinder all the way up before starting on that one's valves...
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 01:30 PM
  #28  
DIYMechanic's Avatar
DIYMechanic
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 3
From: Orrville, Ohio
Correct. You won't drop the valves to where you can't reach them. You may want to do that instead of using shop air to pressurize the cylinder, but either way will work. You just can't do both unless you seal up all 8 holes or the piston will want to move to the bottom of the stroke from the pressure of your shop air. With the piston at TDC you won't lose the valves though, of that I am sure.

I'll check tonight. I got a bunch of parts in a lot of stuff I bought a year or two ago, and I want to say that there was a pack of Motorcraft valve stem seals in there. I need to check to be sure though.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 01:48 PM
  #29  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
thanks for the confirmation. seems it'd be easier to do the TDC method and leave the injectors out of the way until all the springs are done anyway.

if you do find those seals, def shoot me a PM!
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 06:12 PM
  #30  
427 fordman's Avatar
427 fordman
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
I put new valve locks/keepers on mine when I did them. I always do that when I rebuild a set of heads. 20-30 bucks. Not all do this, it's up to you. I have seen results of a broken keeper. Not on a 7.3, but still.. I got some on ebay from a seller named falcon? I think.

On my heads I ended up with .045 shims iirc on each one. The actual installed height and seat pressure I don't remember for sure, and didn't write it down.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:04 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE