The "Mule" Build

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Oct 26, 2016 | 11:45 AM

#556

someperson

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Joined: Jul 2015

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just spent the better part of an hour reading this thread, definitely subscribed. best of luck to you and the mule adam!

Nov 1, 2016 | 08:08 PM

#557

z31freakify

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Posts: 11,271

Likes: 1,654

From: Las Cruces New Mexico

The guy backed out on the build giving all these excuses, guess I was lucky not having him puting it together he might of fak something up. Sucks but nobody ones to put together the short block, the ones that do want an arm and a leg for it. Ahhgg its frustrating and I don't trust myself enough to do it. Man how I wish some of you better mechanics from FTE lived closer. I might end up taking it to my personal machinest and friend in Juarez Mexico to have him put it together, god wonder how much it will cost to export this heavy engine to mexico, hopefully cheaper than these drugged fools that hear the word diesel and instantly the price triples.

Nov 1, 2016 | 08:33 PM

#558

Jarrett Campbell

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 3,076

Likes: 21

From: Aransas Pass, Tx

There's a guy in Palestine, tx that rebuilds 7.3s for $600+ parts

http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/5846542855.html

Nov 1, 2016 | 10:50 PM

#559

Bob_T

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 774

Likes: 25

From: Reno, Nevada

Adam, sorry to hear that. It will work out for you. I think it's better to have patience and someone local will turn up to do the work. Better to have it in town where you can keep track of progress and see what's going on than ship it off somewhere.

Nov 1, 2016 | 11:09 PM

#560

Bonanza35

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 9,399

Likes: 188

From: Norco,CA

Adam get a book, it's not that hard. We can walk you threw it. Main thing is getting the machining done right. Then you clean it up and check the rest. It's all on here some where. Good luck.

Nov 1, 2016 | 11:18 PM

#561

nateairman

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 2,558

Likes: 19

I think you got this Adam. You will probably have more time into finding someone than doing it over a few days with the help here.

Nov 2, 2016 | 09:16 AM

#562

ceetwarrior

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,328

Likes: 14

From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonanza35

Adam get a book, it's not that hard. We can walk you threw it. Main thing is getting the machining done right. Then you clean it up and check the rest. It's all on here some where. Good luck.

Yeah man, just do it yourself and save that dough. It cant be any different than a gas shortblock and it only revs to 3500rpm, LOL. Not like it has to be blueprinted to rev to 6500rpm.

Nov 2, 2016 | 09:29 AM

#563

Bob_T

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 774

Likes: 25

From: Reno, Nevada

Rebuilding a7.3

Adam,

I've looked for books before with no luck, but I found this one. Don't know if it's any good. Don't know why there is a long blank area at the bottom of this post, tried to get rid of it and failed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/322245484862?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1588%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D145795696709_324272%2526itemid%253D322245484862%2526targetid%253D261119002203%2526rpc%253D0.22%2526rpc_upld_id%253D88941%2526device%253Dt%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252Flike%25252F322245484862%25253Flpid%25253D82%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9031939%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D672333784%2526adgroupid%253D29658622530%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-261119002203%2526gclid%253DCN7djumjitACFUiXfgodmpYOpQ%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D1117994181041&ul_noapp=true

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Nov 2, 2016 | 04:43 PM

#564

z31freakify

Thread Starter

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Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 11,271

Likes: 1,654

From: Las Cruces New Mexico

Thanks for the support fellas, any special tools needed other than your basic torque wrench? A good ol list of specialty tools will be great. I'm been busy so work time on the engine will be slow.

Nov 3, 2016 | 09:08 AM

#565

ceetwarrior

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,328

Likes: 14

From: Colorado

You'll need, torque wrench and piston ring compressor for sure, prob some locktite, printed torque specs etc. Plasti-gauge if you want to check your clearances. I dont know about any other specifics.

Nov 3, 2016 | 05:07 PM

#566

nateairman

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 2,558

Likes: 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceetwarrior

You'll need, torque wrench and piston ring compressor for sure, prob some locktite, printed torque specs etc. Plasti-gauge if you want to check your clearances. I dont know about any other specifics.

I would think this would cover it. I would plasti-gauge it for piece of mind.

Nov 3, 2016 | 05:10 PM

#567

ProjectDually

Postmaster

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 2,604

Likes: 3

From: Fort Polk Louisiana

Bob T's post +1. It's got a lot of good info in there.. And you can find service manuals on Ebay here and there, you just have to look.

Nov 3, 2016 | 08:49 PM

#568

z31freakify

Thread Starter

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Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 11,271

Likes: 1,654

From: Las Cruces New Mexico

How about this one
http://m.ebay.com/itm/1994-1999-Ford-7-3L-DIT-Power-Stroke-Engine-Color-Service-Manual-Pump-Guide-More-/291917621690?hash=item43f7a569ba%3Ag%3A8YAAAOSwcLxYCSRR&_trkparms=pageci%253A77e365f0-a230-11e6-9d92-74dbd1807f27%257Cparentrq%253A2d03cc591580a357eba9ef3dfff887f2%257Ciid%253A3

Nov 3, 2016 | 08:52 PM

#569

z31freakify

Thread Starter

Hotshot

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 11,271

Likes: 1,654

From: Las Cruces New Mexico

Whoops wrong link here's the one
http://m.ebay.com/itm/2002-Ford-F350-Truck-Shop-Service-Repair-Manual-CD-7-3L-Power-Stroke-Diesel-/371760192686?hash=item568ea25cae%3Ag%3A3JwAAOSwQaJXRb6E&_trkparms=pageci%253A77e365f0-a230-11e6-9d92-74dbd1807f27%257Cparentrq%253A2d03cc591580a357eba9ef3dfff887f2%257Ciid%253A2

Nov 4, 2016 | 09:37 AM

#570

knottyrope

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 7,202

Likes: 1,340

From: Bahstun

I have rebuilt a dozen engines and would try one a 7.3

most of the principals are the same, keep it clean and lubed when you assemble it
oh and take your time doing it too and take many pics and use some sammich bags marked with a sharpy so you don't loose anything