Looking at used 7.3
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 84
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From: South West Michigan
Looking at used 7.3
I am looking at a used 7.3 complete engine for the Mighty Ford.
Owner claims, no blow by and good runner.
Is there a way to check for problems while this thing is sitting on the floor.
Owner claims 188,000 miles.
The motor in my truck now smokes like crazy and chuffs like a big dog.
I changed the injectors. Still no improvement.
Thanks
MF
Owner claims, no blow by and good runner.
Is there a way to check for problems while this thing is sitting on the floor.
Owner claims 188,000 miles.
The motor in my truck now smokes like crazy and chuffs like a big dog.
I changed the injectors. Still no improvement.
Thanks
MF
Last edited by mighty ford; Mar 1, 2009 at 12:20 PM. Reason: wrong description
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Pukalani, HI
Pull the valve covers and check for play in the valves. Maybe hook a starter up and do a compression test, although that might not be the easiest thing to do on the ground. Maybe pull the injectors and GPs to see what they look like. Other than that, there's not much you can do.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 426
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From: Pukalani, HI
No, you remove them from the engine and hook them up to a pump that gauges at what pressure they open at and what the spray pattern is.
What you did would identify either a bad injector or a bad cylinder (rings, valve or ?). You can try checking the injector line to see if it's getting hot which would be an indication that it was letting the cylinder pressure back through the injector body. The chuffing you hear, does it change when you crack one of the injectors? And is it coming from the intake or the exhaust? That would be a bad intake or exhaust valve.
Personaly, I would look for a 6.9 to replace the 7.3. I would have gone that route if I had known then what I know now.... I now have a spare 6.9 that I'll be building up for when and if I even need it.
What you did would identify either a bad injector or a bad cylinder (rings, valve or ?). You can try checking the injector line to see if it's getting hot which would be an indication that it was letting the cylinder pressure back through the injector body. The chuffing you hear, does it change when you crack one of the injectors? And is it coming from the intake or the exhaust? That would be a bad intake or exhaust valve.
Personaly, I would look for a 6.9 to replace the 7.3. I would have gone that route if I had known then what I know now.... I now have a spare 6.9 that I'll be building up for when and if I even need it.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: South West Michigan
If the line is hot would that indicate a bad intake valve or could it be either.
There is a 6.9 available at a local junk yard. The 7.3 is cheap. I have replaced blown engines with cheap replacements and been right back in the same boat.
I know that the rebuilt are the way to go. I'm always tempted to go the cheap route.
It's a gamble. The odds are not in my favor.
There is a 6.9 available at a local junk yard. The 7.3 is cheap. I have replaced blown engines with cheap replacements and been right back in the same boat.
I know that the rebuilt are the way to go. I'm always tempted to go the cheap route.
It's a gamble. The odds are not in my favor.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Baldwin, ND
Yeah, Dave S has an experience or two with bad 7.3's. If I ever replace this engine, I will get a 6.9 and go that route!!!!
Thad
Thad
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: South West Michigan
I know you guys know what your talking about. I'll check on the 6.9. But won't rule out doing something stupid.
I'm driving the half ton now and it works. But I need to get the Mighty going again.
I'm driving the half ton now and it works. But I need to get the Mighty going again.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Danville, Pa
Just to throw it out there, when I bought my truck, it sounded and acted exactly like your symptoms. Turned out someone had the IP off and the gear retarded a tooth. Symptoms included light throttle advance arm not making a difference in timing when pushed in, smoking in almost all driving situations and always a chuffing sound with very quiet almost non diesel knocking sound.
It had ran that way for so long that the injectors were fouled out. Took re-adjusting the timing and new injectors and the engine runs great.
It had ran that way for so long that the injectors were fouled out. Took re-adjusting the timing and new injectors and the engine runs great.
