Nate, I'm with you all the way. The piston cracked first, then a chunk broke off. That's the way it all looks to me, besides making the most sense to me.

I agree with you on the other statement as well. I've been around engines pushing their limit for 40 years. When you start putting a lot more power to stock parts, the weakest link WILL be found first. I have learned that the hard way more than once. If you look at this motor the rods are plenty strong, crank as well. Beefy 4 bolt main block is plenty strong. Springs and pushrods are upgraded, cam and lifters really have no bearing. Head studs to handle the boost. You know what I haven't mentioned. They get pushed with egts more than they would in a stock truck. My truck would way more than double boost of a stock truck. The weakest link was found. A forged race piston can be bought, but for 26-2800 and lack of longevity what I'm getting is the next best thing. The ones I'm getting through swamps are still 1500+.

 

I can't wait to see it go back together, Darrin. I'd love to have the expertise to build one for my truck at some point, so I'll be paying close attention.

 

I got my motor tore down the rest of the way. One other problem I found was the rear mount for the oil pump pickup was broken so just the front bolts were holding. I may look into putting main studs in, that way I can Fab another mount between the front and rear and attach it to another stud. We will see.

 

Well, motor is at the machine shop. He is going to check that cylinder good and we will then make a decision on either a bore or sleeve. I have decided to go with a stage one cam. Im leaning towards gearheads. The heads will have all new valves and probably a light port job. I'm also seriously considering a set of headers from irate. The pistons are coming from swamps, delipped, coated tops and a dry film lube on the skirts. I think I will buy the competition rebuild kit from swamps. Injectors will all be freshened. Going to put arp rod bolts and main studs in. New oil pan, pickup tube, oil cooler, and welded piston oil jets. New ati balancer. I'm also going to put a new 6.0 trans cooler in. I'm going to have way too much money in it, but it's still better than 60k for a new one. I think my new trailer may have to wait another year though. I will update as I go along.

 

I was just thinking of you. Sounds like your going to do this right. Not sure about the dry lube on the skirts but sounds really good! Hung in there!

 

I can't wait to see this thing go together! I've got the popcorn ready.

 

At least I think I have a plan now. I'm excited to get started on it, going to call my machinist Friday and see if he got the block looked at. I'm out of town for work till then anyway. I did talk to a friend I race with who has a flow bench about my heads. He said he would work on them, pretty sure I will have him at least do a little to them.

I did seriously think about a newer truck. I just can't do it. This is like another child of mine. I've spent so much time and money on it even before this motor deal. Besides that I only use it 6 months of the year, and only a few thousand miles a year. I can't justify a new one, and don't want something someone else had not knowing the history, and knowing I really couldn't work on one, and cost a fortune to fix. For one thing I don't have a hoist to pull a flipping cab off. I really don't like the def systems either.

 

Pass the popcorn Nate, this is going to be good!!

 

Wise choice Darrin. All the reason listed are plenty good to keep what you have. The only thing I would say is if you are looking for more comfortable, a 7.3 SD would be a little bit of an upgrade. I have been really pleased with mine for the 18 months I've had it. But your truck is ****, so go with it.

 

Thanks Byron. I feel better and better about my decision every day I think about it. I do plan on upgrading the interior sometime but that might have to wait a little bit. I did give thought to taking a leaf or two out of my 11 leaf packs on the rear but it really only gets used for towing my trailer and works so well as it is I will probably just leave it. I can always do that if I wish. I should put some new shocks on it though, these are all original.

 

In for engine build pics!

Pretty easy to sleeve these if needed?

Smart on cleaned up pistons. Those edges create hot spots. Are these OEM Ford/IH or aftermarket?

You are this deep, I would do main studs.

 

I will get some pics up once I start gathering parts. I told my machinist I'd call today and check. I stopped about an hour before he usually closes but he was gone. Not a big deal, can't order anything on a Friday night anyway. I will call him Monday.

As for sleeveing, ya they aren't bad to do. The pistons are Mahle's.

 

 

Thanks Todd! I'm getting kinda anxious to get going on it.😁