Many 7.3 IDI engine questions
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Washington
Many 7.3 IDI engine questions
Many 7.3 Questions:
I have several questions about my '88 F-250, 7.3 IDI, 5 spd. So here I go.
1. I'm trying to get a milage estimation on the thing. I bought this truck from a dealer "happy" to get it off the lot. The Speedo didn't work. I found the plastic gear in the transfer case "Apple-Cored" anyone know how many miles this usually takes?
2. I consume lots of oil. About 2.5 quarts every 400 miles. It has a large leak for which I need to pull the injector pump to fix. The rest I burn. The truck starts well even in the Coldest of weather, has "normal" power output, has a clear-bluish looking exhaust most of the time (less smoke in cold wet weather) and generally takes about 10 seconds after starting to build oil pressure any time it sits for more than a few mins (runs with good OP). Does it sound like a total overhaul? What other checks can I do to test the condition of this beast. I am comfortable overhauling the engine, but not if I don't need to.
3. I've been looking for rebuildable cores. The price seems to around $3K! Is this right? The dealer sells a complete reman including injector pump and oil pan for $6K. Is this just the way it is?
Thanks for your replies................Zorrro
I have several questions about my '88 F-250, 7.3 IDI, 5 spd. So here I go.
1. I'm trying to get a milage estimation on the thing. I bought this truck from a dealer "happy" to get it off the lot. The Speedo didn't work. I found the plastic gear in the transfer case "Apple-Cored" anyone know how many miles this usually takes?
2. I consume lots of oil. About 2.5 quarts every 400 miles. It has a large leak for which I need to pull the injector pump to fix. The rest I burn. The truck starts well even in the Coldest of weather, has "normal" power output, has a clear-bluish looking exhaust most of the time (less smoke in cold wet weather) and generally takes about 10 seconds after starting to build oil pressure any time it sits for more than a few mins (runs with good OP). Does it sound like a total overhaul? What other checks can I do to test the condition of this beast. I am comfortable overhauling the engine, but not if I don't need to.
3. I've been looking for rebuildable cores. The price seems to around $3K! Is this right? The dealer sells a complete reman including injector pump and oil pan for $6K. Is this just the way it is?
Thanks for your replies................Zorrro
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
What rebuilder are you looking at?
I am in weekend limbo with a rebuilder I used to get a complete drop in motor for 6200 in round numbers.
My 6.9 had 252,000 on it when I pulled it for oil consumption.
But I did not have leaks.
I am in weekend limbo with a rebuilder I used to get a complete drop in motor for 6200 in round numbers.
My 6.9 had 252,000 on it when I pulled it for oil consumption.
But I did not have leaks.
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Freshman User
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From: Central Washington
Dave,
The rebuilder for the $6K is Ford or MotorCraft, from my local dealer. The engine is turnkey minus flywheel, it's $5k w/o tin or injection pump. The other rebuilder would be me. If I was to do the job, I would need a rebuildable core (minimizes down time).
rancherman84,
Repair the leak? Yes you are right, I will do this. Then check consumption................Thanks, zorrro
The rebuilder for the $6K is Ford or MotorCraft, from my local dealer. The engine is turnkey minus flywheel, it's $5k w/o tin or injection pump. The other rebuilder would be me. If I was to do the job, I would need a rebuildable core (minimizes down time).
rancherman84,
Repair the leak? Yes you are right, I will do this. Then check consumption................Thanks, zorrro
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Check who Ford is using for a rebuilder out there.
I have a Dealers Diesel/ Reviva they just did a name change.
They are tied in with Ford and do some reman work for them.
They are standing behind the 2 year unlimited milage warranty, but I still have no truck which is my only vehicle.
6,200 complete drop in turbo upgrade drop in motor, 2759 miles before it blew.
Bolts not torqued even close to spec
Intake bolts stripped out of head.
Gaskets not aligned properly
Cracked bolck between 6 and 8 cylinder
I have a Dealers Diesel/ Reviva they just did a name change.
They are tied in with Ford and do some reman work for them.
They are standing behind the 2 year unlimited milage warranty, but I still have no truck which is my only vehicle.
6,200 complete drop in turbo upgrade drop in motor, 2759 miles before it blew.
Bolts not torqued even close to spec
Intake bolts stripped out of head.
Gaskets not aligned properly
Cracked bolck between 6 and 8 cylinder
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
check out das http://www.dieselautoservices.com it doesn't look like your that far from them etheir (3500 for a long block)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
[IMG]
[/IMG]
The red arrows point to the places the intake gasket was not aligned and the bolts were just jammed through. The intake was not properly located and the bolts cut threads in the sides of the holes through it.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
This is what used to be threads in the head for the intake bolts.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
And this is what the intake bolts look like.
Not exactly what you would expect for 6200 dollars.
Yes the engine is getting replaced.
Yes the labor is getting paid in full.
Yes I have been walking for 6 days.
Yes this motor lasted for 51 days from install date.
I wonder, should I tear the next engine down before I install it?
[/IMG] The red arrows point to the places the intake gasket was not aligned and the bolts were just jammed through. The intake was not properly located and the bolts cut threads in the sides of the holes through it.
[IMG]
[/IMG] This is what used to be threads in the head for the intake bolts.
[IMG]
[/IMG] And this is what the intake bolts look like.
Not exactly what you would expect for 6200 dollars.
Yes the engine is getting replaced.
Yes the labor is getting paid in full.
Yes I have been walking for 6 days.
Yes this motor lasted for 51 days from install date.
I wonder, should I tear the next engine down before I install it?
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Washington
Thanks nogo73. I looked at the site and it seems promising.
Sorry Dave, that just makes me cringe. A little caution with the impact wrench and the hammer, would do those boys good?
Sorry Dave, that just makes me cringe. A little caution with the impact wrench and the hammer, would do those boys good?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 305
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From: Penn Valley
When I got my heads back they had been shaved and I really had a hard time jamming the intake back in there because it didn't fit quite right but I did manage to get it in there. I know I didn't do that to it either 
Birken
Birken
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
My intake fit fine, you just had to slide it a little to line up the holes in it and the heads and the gaskets.
I had no problem hand starting a bolt through the whole deal. As soon as one started the rest just droped right in. But then I realise that took an extra 45 seconds to do it correctly.
Things are looking better today I called to get delivery date on motor that went out the door Monday.
Today they had no 7.3 turbo motors to ship, but they were building one for me.
They would not say, but I read between the lines that they pulled the rocker covers off of a couple and found the same thing on them.
I was assured that I would not have this problem again.
Maybe the guys that put mine together are working at Taco Bell now Torquing Taco's.
I had no problem hand starting a bolt through the whole deal. As soon as one started the rest just droped right in. But then I realise that took an extra 45 seconds to do it correctly.
Things are looking better today I called to get delivery date on motor that went out the door Monday.
Today they had no 7.3 turbo motors to ship, but they were building one for me.
They would not say, but I read between the lines that they pulled the rocker covers off of a couple and found the same thing on them.
I was assured that I would not have this problem again.
Maybe the guys that put mine together are working at Taco Bell now Torquing Taco's.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28
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From: Central Washington
Today was fix truck day. I repaired my oil leak. It was on the injection pump drive gear cover. Had to pull the pump to do it. I found three diffirent colors of silicone from the last schmucks down there doing the same thing (FYI clear, orange and black). This type of thing has been pretty typical with this truck. I cleaned things up real well and used blue RTV. After a good warm-up no evidence of any more leaking. The plan is to change the oil, and then see what my oil consumption is.
I found the truck started back up pretty well after replacing the injection pump and after about 20 secs it was running normal. I have found the same thing when changing the fuel filter. Am I lucky? I have heard some horror stories about air in the hp lines causing misses etc. I have had air in the lines several times from running out of fuel (2-tanks) and no problems then either. Again, am I just lucky?
I found the truck started back up pretty well after replacing the injection pump and after about 20 secs it was running normal. I have found the same thing when changing the fuel filter. Am I lucky? I have heard some horror stories about air in the hp lines causing misses etc. I have had air in the lines several times from running out of fuel (2-tanks) and no problems then either. Again, am I just lucky?
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Freshman User
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From: Central Washington
After a few hours of driving today with a clean engine block, I noticed another large leak comming from the front seal area
. This is too bad as I just replaced the water pump a few weeks ago and all that stuff was real accessable. Anyway before I can get back to anybody with a legitimate oil consumptiom #, I'll have to fix this too............I'll keep ya posted
Oh, Yeah!
Slid into a snow bank and dented the rear quarter this after-noon
.
. This is too bad as I just replaced the water pump a few weeks ago and all that stuff was real accessable. Anyway before I can get back to anybody with a legitimate oil consumptiom #, I'll have to fix this too............I'll keep ya postedOh, Yeah!
Slid into a snow bank and dented the rear quarter this after-noon
.