Yeah, me too.

But unfortunately I did not win this one. After I started the motor, and got the ticking noise I went back in through the plenums and had another look, again I came up empty.

Because of time, I wasn't about to pull the heads myself, not to mention you saw what happened when I tried to replace the intake boots. So, I decided to call around to a few different places. Nearly everybody I spoke with immediately, said "new engine". There was one place that didn't say that and they also have a good rep, so I decided to have AAA tow it in for them to have a look.

They are saying that it is likely down in the cylinder and will need to pull the motor. They said they could just pull the heads and look, but I would be in it for labor if they still came up empty, so they would rather just pull the whole engine and be done with it. Sucks, but I get where they are coming from.

If the bolt is indeed embedded into a piston, they are saying I'll need a new head and that cylinder rebuilt. The other option is going to be...you guessed it...new engine.

I don't know what this is all going to cost yet. But my options right now is partial rebuild, new engine or sell it as a paper weight.

 

WOW that just sucks!
Sorry for your troubles , I guess not much sense in getting a partially rebuilt engine! At this point i would probably stop looking for it, get the engine rebuilt , they will find it in the process?

 

I'll need to see what the costs are. Seems like nobody is interested in rebuilding these engines around here. They would rather buy a full engine and drop it in. I'm hesitant to put a reman engine in since I haven't heard many people having good things to say about them. I have been looking at Ashland and Swamps, but again. I don't know how much $$$ my mechanic is talking yet.

 

A guy here had a engine tranny and transfer case for 2500.00 , wish i had grabbed it

could have rebuilt all of it and had spares, LOL wife would have killed me!

 

That's a shame, sorry to hear it and hope you get lucky when they open it up.

 

Well crap, sorry to hear that.

 

That stinks. We have all been rooting for you.

 

@FordTruckNoob I believe Leonard had his engine rebuilt by Swamps. He can give you actual facts verse opinions.

 

If the cost of a rebuild is painful, would you be comfortable with a junkyard engine? Sacramento has some large yards that specialize if you are in the area.

Might be able to source at an auction house too.

 

@clineco I am very sorry to hear of the way your situation has developed. @Colorado350 is correct, I had my engine rebuilt by Swamps. Details of that are disclosed here. My experience with Swamps was very positive but their service has declined in recent years I have been told.

If you are feeling adventurous, have you considered swapping in a Cummins?

 

Swamps is probably not a good option at this time.

The only 7.3 engine builder I would consider is Asheville Engines. I had a PILE of broken remans from ‘Ford’, Jasper, Reviva, etc. when I moved out of my last shop.

 

Sticking with facts vs. opinions, Asheville Engines is another reputable and trusted 7.3L builder. They are significantly less than Swamps, but the engine is rebuilt, not "built" as it would be from Swamps.

https://ashevilleengine.com

EDIT: Looks like SkySkiJason and I were typing at the same time.

 

I third Asheville, that is where I would go if I needed one.

I am behind on this thread, and sorry to hear about your woes.
Is the tapping the only thing showing itself right now from the dropped bolt? Does it run decent otherwise?
If you are gonna replace the motor anyways, maybe just see how long it runs, who knows, may get lucky!
Of course, this could potentially hurt core value, if you go remanned, vs finding a lower mileage used engine off craigslist etc

 

Asheville Engines can ‘build’ whatever you want.

Unlike a ‘diesel performance shop’ - Asheville Engines is a legitimate machine shop and not just an engine parts assembler. Greatly increasing your long term reliability.

Everyone should do what they feel is best for them, but I would prefer to have the machine shop assemble my engine and make adjustments as needed.

Personally, I have installed dozens of ‘used engines’ with 100% success. I almost exclusively heard these engines run before I pulled them. If it runs good and has no blow by - chances of long term success are high. The risk of installing an engine you haven’t heard is having to pay someone to R&R it - so have confidence in the seller (salvage yard or otherwise).

Still hoping for the best possible outcome. My heart goes out to you brother!!!!

 

I would find a lower mile used (but original) motor as well and go with that rather than pay a shop to rebuild yours. There is about 1 or 2 people in the world I’d trust beside myself to do that one right and I think you’d be money ahead anyway just finding a good used one. Then you could take yours apart and find out what happened. There was a guy around here selling engines for $2-2.5k most had less than 200k on them.