Hi everyone, long time since I’ve posted. But been reading through the forum still…

Some of you may remember my E450 bus debacle. By the end of that I learned I needed a new motor, due to 0 compression in multiple cylinders. Also a few bad injectors…

Anyway, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do to replace this motor. Today I found some trucks for sale, toward chandler area. South east valley for those wondering. And I’m considering buying one and swapping its motor into my bus.

The gold one is a 1999, needs a transmission but runs and is @ 280k.

The black one is a 2001, rusty truck but runs and drives. But has 386k.

Haven’t contacted either of these ads yet but wanted to get some opinions about what to do or what to consider. I will definitely be doing a compression test upon purchase and I will definitely be checking things on my FORScan app, just need to know what to look for.

Other than that, what should I be concerned about and what should I be looking for? Any other tests I can perform to ensure a healthy motor? Anyone have experience doing this? If so I’d greatly appreciate hearing about your experience.

I’m not interested in the trucks or rest of the drive train. Not any interior or body parts, only interested in a motor. Although, I would salvage a 4x4 front end and transfer case to sell. I’ll attach some pictures from the ads in a bit…

so, let me hear what ya got……

 

screen shots of the 2 ads…

 

One thing to consider on the 99 is whether it's an early or late. You could still use the motor either way, but the e99's are kinda a 1 off so some parts are useless to anyone other than someone that's got an e99. For mileage wise if you can compression test it and hear it run I wouldn't let it break a deal.

 

I'd be hard pressed to not take that '99 if it was here and rust free. With no badges on the front of the fenders, I'd expect it to be a late '99 and the parts swap would be minimal going into a van. You might need to swap your oil cooler over, the ones on the vans have different mounts on them.

 

Sounds like you know what you need, know what to expect, know how to verify and know how make progress toward your goal. The fellas above have given you good advice and I would only echo their thoughts.

I wish you good luck and confidence in your decisions.

 

Get both.
Take what you need.
Hoard the hard-to-find spare parts.
Have a yard sale for the rest.

 

sorry, but you would go for the 99? Or no? I kept reading your reply to the point where it made no sense haha.

if you would take it, why? If not, why?

 

if I could swing both for the price of one maybe. But I doubt that’s gonna happen…. Never know unless you ask though.

 

I would take it based on my own personal situation. I have a truck with northern rust on it and a clean, southern truck to put my parts into would be right up my alley. For you, it should work too. If we weren't so far apart, we could even work a deal on it.

 

Personally I would lean towards the '99. Cheaper and looks like it's been taken care of better and the owner has taken it easier on the engine (no chip).

 

What's it cost to rebuild your existing engine these days? I don't care how good of a reputation these old 7.3's have for providing a good long service life have. Every vehicle for sale is for sale for a reason and what reason is that? I would rather get what I have rebuilt and know what I have, rather than drive around with a big question mark over my head. Just my opinion.

 

I agree just weighing every option. Last I checked with choate engineering it was anywhere from $5,000 to $12k for a long block.

jasper engines wants $5,000 for their long block.

And I can’t find anyone in the Phoenix area who will rebuild the 7.3l

EDIT: ford has 7.3l long block on their website still. Does not say available or not. $8,000

 

You could also call Jason at Arizona's Affordable Diesel Tech in Tucson and ask if he has any used 7.3s or knows of any. He can rebuild yours too but I don't know the cost. He's a good guy to know and talk to and might be of some help.

 

I will thank you for that