Well, I finally got around to pulling my donor engine and trans. Donor setup is a 97 cal emissions engine with zf5. About 165k on the donor and it did not have a single oil leak anywhere. The donor truck had a very well treated life except someone decided to only replace half the glow plugs with autolites of which 2 were toast.

I'd like to know some collective knowledge of what would be good to do now and what isn't really necessary. I'm looking to get another 200k before major maintenace on this DD truck with moderate gains over stock.

1) Is it worth it to reseal oil cooler now? It isn't leaking now. Just wondering how long these and oil pans/etc can go.
2) Water pump/thermostat. Any reason to go there now?

Here is what I was planning on doing:
New orings on fuel lines
Rebuild turbo and pedestal
swamps injectors
glowplugs and valve cover gaskets
exhaust manifold gaskets and up pipe gaskets
3" downpipe

Thanks for any thoughts or advice.

 

Reseal everything but the head gaskets

 

I'd do as much a your budget will comfortably allow..
Superduty tensioner
International H2o pump w filter
If not going E fuel than do everything in the valley
Id do the oil cooler personally; easy job
I might even do a new lp fuel pump

Pretty much what Mike said: do everything if time and $$$$ allow;
my feeling is it saves a head ache in the long run..

 

Thanks for the input. There is Sooo much more room to get to/see everything now. But again this thing looks to be in real good shape all around and religiously maintained. Have people ever gotten 500k out of these without needing to reseal?

 

You might want to take a look at your EBPS tube... I pulled mine off for grins and giggles and it was completely blocked ($35 at Riffraff for new or you can bend your own).

Also, you can get right up on the exhaust manifolds and look for leaks... and pressurize the intake to see if your plenums are leaking. This is a good time to put bellowed up pipes on and E-fuel.... The list can go on and on.

 

Geeze, there may have been a handfull of 7.3s that went a good amount of miles before needing various gaskets, O-rings, hoses, sensors etc...but...should they have gone that long?? Probably not but that depends on who your asking.. It is my opinion that the best maintenance is "preventive" and not reactive; this way hopefully most of the time your in control of when that motor runs and when it doesnt. You do your do diligence now, be smart about what to replace, reseal, etc etc and you'll thank yourself every morning it fires up.. You cant always take the approach "if it aint broke dont fix it" because it will brake and with some components theres actually a fairly accurate life span; so do yourself a favor and do as much as you can now..
Course, what do I know I'm only a caveman...

 

I'm actually considering getting another engine to build up as a drop in. Just start now so I can do a leisurely build..

 

I have had new parts fail and old ones last longer than expected on many things


there is no guarantee either way

 

Agreed, sometimes I'm hesitant..

 

I totally agree. There are a lot of places making parts, and I wonder if even OEM today is the same quality as in the day.

So, I'm kind of leaning toward doing things now that would be the biggest PIA with the engine in the truck.

 

Then you should start looking into your oil pan gasket and dipstick adapter and your oil pan seal.

 

x2^^, this will save you $300+

 

Buy one of these

Or weld yours to the oil pan you will be glad you did.
Also make sure you use Motorcraft or IH sealant ONLY!! Don't cheap out and buy regular ATV it won't last.

 

You can look at my thread...I have 200k on my motor and there are many seals that look like they were close to being toast....


Especially the oil cooler and front cover around the water pump.


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