blown 6.4
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
blown 6.4
ok so im 18 and completely new to working on diesels my question is im thinking about tearing down a 6.4L in a 2009 f-350 its in limp mode missing and blowing white smoke and has been sitting for 4 years is it worth rebuilding and what should i expect? also am i going to have to have the heads/block shaved?? any help is appreciated
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
Save your money. Leave that turd sitting. Being young and new to diesel engines the last vehicle you should be messing with is a 6.4 Powerstroke. They are money pits best used as boat anchors. Spend the money you would on reviving that pile on a good gas 1/2 ton truck or a Ranger and enjoy not being broke all the time because of a truck, it isn't worth it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 983
Likes: 366
What he said above unless you have some DEEP pockets.
Another option is to swap a Cummins engine into the body. Still expensive (just the transmission adapter plate is $1k) but you end up with a nice truck after spending that big pile of money you have burning a hole in your pocket.
Here's a thread showing most of the Cummins conversion process (see link below), on a side note the very truck in that build thread is for sale at the moment.
https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads...-swap.2540065/
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Another option is to swap a Cummins engine into the body. Still expensive (just the transmission adapter plate is $1k) but you end up with a nice truck after spending that big pile of money you have burning a hole in your pocket.
Here's a thread showing most of the Cummins conversion process (see link below), on a side note the very truck in that build thread is for sale at the moment.
https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads...-swap.2540065/
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
So, my thoughts are if you are 18 and wanting to learn diesel mechanics theory, operation, and maintenance then this could be a worthwhile project for you. You have to understand that it's going to cost thousands of $$ but by the time you finish researching things, making the repairs, and reinstalling the engine you will be quite far along on diesel mechanics. If this isn't the direction you want to go in life then I would suggest you find a different project to take on.
When I was 15 I purchased my first car. My dad told me then that I would have to work on it. He supervised and that got me started as a mechanic. It was something I wanted to do and it worked out for me. It was the best education I could have been given at the time. So, think about what you want to do. You will invest more into this truck than it probably would be worth. Now, consider the experience you will get by doing the job yourself and weigh whether it's worth it or not. JMO
When I was 15 I purchased my first car. My dad told me then that I would have to work on it. He supervised and that got me started as a mechanic. It was something I wanted to do and it worked out for me. It was the best education I could have been given at the time. So, think about what you want to do. You will invest more into this truck than it probably would be worth. Now, consider the experience you will get by doing the job yourself and weigh whether it's worth it or not. JMO
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: Dunlay, TX
I agree with FE it all depends what your wanting out of it. Are you wanting to gain that experience or just because you got the truck extremely cheep because of current condition. If wanting the experience and willing to spend the time and money then by all means go for it. If your wanting to do it because you got the truck dirt cheap and just want a diesel to have it then I’d recommend going a different route. People are going to tell you the 6.4l is a boat anchor and to get rid of it and to run away from them. But I can promise you there’s not single motor out there in the world that someone doesn’t have negative things to say about it. I truthfully love my 6.4. I’ve had to do quite a bit to it over the years and just got done rebuilding the high pressure turbo because of a bent shaft in the center section but it’s old and it needs work from time to time. I honestly believe the best motor is the one that your willing to put the work into and learn all about and maintain yourself. And what I mean by that is your willing to get it going and keep it going and not neglect it as it needs it. If that’s what your wanting to do then by all means have fun. It’ll get pricey but it’ll be fun in the end. and you know you’ll have too a of people here on this forum that are willing to help where they can
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
AH yes the blown 6.4 ... i also have a 6.4 that i lifted the heads on. personaly i have about 15000 into my engine alone but we are talking full delete, tune, injectors, studs, gaskets, intake, ect ect BUT i absolutly love the truck, tow ALOT and plow all winter with it. i guess it helps i work on big diesels day in and day out too. but i agree with the guys saying its going to be a good experience if your wanting to learn and dont mind spending a few grand on to get running. my best advice would be to pull the cab and geat your heads on and check out the condition of the heads for cracks and same with the deck of the block, then your going to want to inspect the rear 2 cylinders specificly. depending on what you find there you might be better off finding a good used engine to build becasue you dont want to sink money into a engine thats going to have compression issues or do the exact same thing once its back together. Eithor way best of luck with what you decide to do!
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,302
Likes: 2,197
the 6.4 has a lot of design problems that would need addressing during a rebuild
lifters are usally shot
cam lobes shot
oil pimp shot
piston clinder walls cracks
pistons that mushroom
crank problems if the engine had a hard stop
push rods that bend
rockers that fall off their pivot ball and tips fail
excessive valve stem wear since there are no valve guides.
heads warping
etc, etc, etc
best bet would be to find a running low miles engine at a junk yard and start from there.
lifters are usally shot
cam lobes shot
oil pimp shot
piston clinder walls cracks
pistons that mushroom
crank problems if the engine had a hard stop
push rods that bend
rockers that fall off their pivot ball and tips fail
excessive valve stem wear since there are no valve guides.
heads warping
etc, etc, etc
best bet would be to find a running low miles engine at a junk yard and start from there.
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