So the two trucks above didn’t answer but I found some motors….

The first one is from Pennsylvania. 1996 110k. Owner says it runs perfect. No blow by, etc. He sold everything he could due to the truck rusting out. Stored covered up in a garage
$1000 bucks and I’m trying to figure out shipping still full motors all the way down the the belts and wire harness, plastic covers etc.
This guy was super friendly and seemed pretty knowledgeable about the 7.3. He also buys sells and repairs diesels and truck all day everyday so isn’t his first time swapping or selling motors

The second one is from Prescott. 2/3 hrs from Phoenix. 1999 240k. Owner says It was running when it was pulled, cylinder #2 was 8% lower than all the other cylinders but still in the good/normal range. Stored wrapped up outside, no turbo or “covers” for intake.
He wants $1800 no hpop no turbo. Doesn’t have a lot of accessories other than injectors. Haven’t gotten a good conversation out of this guy seems like he swapped his motor for a newer less mile engine and has his old one for sale. Pretty cut n dry.

I am led to believe the engine cores in the vans and buses are the same bottom end from 94.5-03 but eventually went to different turbo and injectors. 99-03. Is this accurate?

Would the 96 motor I’m looking into be an option to swap into my bus? I know injectors, hpop, turbo are different, which I have just not sure if it’s a good option

 

Honestly I would be scared of the second one.
-Pulled to replace with a different one. (there was a reason that happened)
-Left outside. (Didn’t care that much about it)
-Wont give you a good conversation.

 

Yeah I feel the same way. The other guy and I talked on the phone for an hour. Lol. Nice guy. Seemed like he might be a member but I didn’t ask.

but is it worth it, or a good idea to convert a 1996 7.3 into a later model 7.3l? Only other difference I can see than what I said above would be the front cover/ hpop reservoir?

 

You’ll notice I left out comment on those items…. I’ll let someone with some 1st hand knowledge speak on that subject.

However I can tag a couple PA folks for you. These things may be across the state but you never know it could be one of their neighbors as well. @ESwift & @WalleyeHunter just in case a PA local might come in handy.

 

I’m thinking this will work. 96 powerstroke seems to be different from my 2000 by only a few parts. Which I have or need to upgrade/replace anyway. and remember I’m swapping everything from mine to essentially a 96 long block, which is also a non intercooled turbo, like my bus/van.

different items as follows I believe;
turbo
turbo manifold/ (up pipes?) (exh manifolds?)
injectors
hpop
Uvch
hpop reservoir / filter or oring
intake heater and relay
Motor mounts

After my bit of research today this is all I can come up with and don’t see why I can’t or shouldn’t use a 96 long block with 2000 equipment and computers on top….

let me know what y’all think

 

If engine is pulled from rusted through vehicle, engine may have some serious pitting too.

 

Engine looks clean, it has a navistar rebuilt sticker on it. It looks like a superb deal. If the op wasnt buying it, I would have. Its about a 7hr round trip for me to its location.

 

Agreed. I'm thinking every freeze plug would need to be replaced at the least.

 

Where are you seeing that at? I don't see any links to it.

 

And I live in the heart of the rust belt and I would not consider the concerns listed above to be issues. Other than oil pan and exhaust manifold bolts, the rest of the engine fairs pretty well.

 

The differences between the E99 or pre-99 trucks are all bolt-on and your van engine will have the parts you need to swap it over. Stick with ‘96 and up though.

It’s always a gamble to buy an engine YOU never heard run and engine swap in a van is a special form of torture, so you don’t wanna do it twice.

I would definitely ask seller to perform a compression/leak down test before shipping and verify results before installing engine.

There are a handful of other things I’d suggest you do while the engine is out.

 

I found the engine on marketplace and sent op the link.

 

I’m a little north of Eswift, 7.3s are often available for the $1k range due to the trucks rusting out. It get everything behind the engine due to tire spray, but even the ones that don’t get pulled that I see in the junkyard don’t look badly rusted. I wouldn’t be afraid of the rust issue so much as how the internals check out.

 

thanks for posting the pictures swift

I will call him and ask about compression testing. We’re supposed to talk today anyway. I also meant to ask him when the last time he started it was and will when we talk next.

He said he’d start this motor during this winter in freezing temps and it didn’t care one bit. This was to move it in and out of the shop. And would start right up. He also told me the rust on the valve cover is the only rust he sees on the engine. And he’d personally use this motor if he didn’t want the money more. He buys and sells parts trucks for customers and his personal vehicles. Like many of you do back east.

the truck was taken off the road at 260k or somethin like that. The motor was replace with a navistar reman at 165k. So little under or over 110k on this motor.

this truck had rusted out cab mounts that he was going to swap cabs or frames with another vehicle….

but before I commit, and have him perform a compression test I need to know what the major differences are, if any. Like SSJ said, everything on top is bolt on…. But what about front accessories like pulleys and harmonic balancer. Same or no?

 

this would be my other choice at the moment. This is a 99. Owner does not know if it’s early or late. (Or wouldn’t tell me) he’s also been kind of a pain to talk with and doesn’t give me much about the motor. Swapped out cause #2 cyl was 8% lower than the rest but still had good compression.

$1,800 now even though he said he’d do $1,000 with no turbo or hpop (changed the price on me after trying to negotiate)



I guess my third option is to keep telling myself I can afford a new motor to get built, but I can’t seem to save enough $$$$ to get a deposit down. Always something in the way…..