This is true Starmilt, but the 6.9 is an exception to that rule.

330K+ on the original build, and almost 150K on the rebuild and running strong.

 

Oh I know that but in the diesel circle they are called throwaways. The cats are rebuildable too but If they can't be built to original specs they get that title.
The op has a 7.3 and this is getting real close to the title as you can't bore it to clean up the cylinders. I'm not saying they arent capable of lots of miles. It is just a loose term.

 

doubled my post rather than edited that time lol.see below.

 

yeah,but read the whole statement his mechanic said again:
“was designed to be a 100-150K mile throw away motor”

ok.nothing lasts forever of course.and if you want to rebuild an IDI,its best to do so with the 6.9 of course as it has thicker walls.
i know this seems odd to most of us guys.but "most" people don't run vehicles over 200k.they buy new (or newer/lower mileage)and start again.
so most people will wear out theses rigs long before the engine needs to be replaced.
so in no way could anyone claim the IDI is a 100 - 150k throw away and be correct.
sure of course it happens,and even well before this.but is it the norm? of course not.
many,if not most get twice that mileage,and even some claims of 1 million miles (yes literally RICHNTHED.)
"throw away" well sure.but normally around 100k? heck,most gas motors can hit the 150-200k mark today.

these engines are known to last,and last,and last RICHNTHED. keep maintaining it,and hopefully yours will too.

 

I read the whole post. I am no way taking anything from the 7.3. I just stated in diesel circles ALL NON SLEEVED have the title of throwaways including some caterpillar also includes the 5.9 cummins. If it does not have sleeves and designed to be put back to original specs, it is called a throw away. This includes all strokes too and the 6.9 it doesn't reflect how good or reliable or how long they last it is just a title.
When these motors came out they were king of the hotshot local and longhaul with NO competition from anybody until 89. I have seen several 7.3 go over 400,000 miles in a hotshot rig working everyday. But they still have that title lol.

 

yeah.that's probably so.that's ok.
i think RICHNTHED was just misinformed about his motor and by the looks of his new rig,it wasn't cheap,so he is probably a little nervous of his latest investment.
call 'em whatever.we just have to be sure he understands, he didn't just flush several grand away on a truck that he may now be thinking due to his mechanic is on her last legs and will need an engine transplant soon.

also notice that part where he's told the powerstroke is the "true 7.3l" lol
well,there's more parts and more expensive parts to replace (higher markup) so it's in this mechanics best interest to scare this guy into trading to a powerstroke so he has more business.he knows he's more likely to fix and maintain the IDI himself.

 

i think it is time to change mechanics.
i know of quite a few 7.3 IDI engines with over 600k miles on them, some with closer to 800k miles.

 

Folks,
Thanks for all the fed back! That’s great news I was a little concern there for a minute. Considering this being my first Diesel, I did not want to be disappointed with the results of this engine. This guy also told me I should not put a turbo on it since it has 227,000miles that it might put too much of a strain on the motor, and that it does not do well in towing. “It will pull it, just at a low speed” are these statements True?

 

It will pull anything you can put behind it, but you won't win any race doing so.

You can put a turbo on it no problem, you just have to stud your heads.

Some of the turbos guys will fill you in on the details, I don't know much of turbos and not really interested in them.

 

I don't think I would spend $2000 on a brand new Banks Sidwinder turbo kit for a motor with that many miles but I see nothing wrong with picking up a used Banks or ATS turbo off ebay in the $500 range. I think with the turbo you will get better mileage and get up the hill quicker when towing. I been shopping on ebay for one myself

 

A turbo is not a problem if you keep the boost down below 15 PSI.

Think about this for a second, at 14 PSI boost, you have twices as much air in the cylinder, so you can turn the fuel up and get a 40% power increase.

185 to somewhere around 250 HP with a turbo and some adjustments.

 

Just wondering... What's the sacrifice to mileage for that 40% increase in power?

 

WarOzz that is determined by the driver mileage change is determined by the weight of your right foot totally. The motor is running more efficient so doing the same thing at the same speed it increases your mileage,however it is hard for me and probably every to have more power at your disposal and not use it, and you pay for that power.
The same with propane or the watermeth,any extra power you USE cost a little more.
My dually 6.9, 085 turbo running empty averages 16 at 70 and 75 mph and I don't baby it.
As far as a turbo on an old engine my thoughts is this, you are increasing your compression,so it is putting more pressure on everything rod bearings, the complete valve train and gaskets, so there has to be a little wear increases going on here however miniscule. My truck is outfitted with the o85 turbo and the other mods makes me assume it was done at an early age, and it used to see heavy towing on a daily basis and the turbo hasn't killed it yet, however it is getting tired using a little more oil than I am comfortable with and doesn't have the power it used to have. I suspect compression is not what it used to be, but have not checked it as it is only really noticably when I hook on to a heavy load, Which is rare anymore, when funds allow I will rebuild the engine and turbo with some mods that Dave has used and I figgure it will last me the rest of my life as it will have a lot easier life than the first 25 years.

 

you do not have to stud your heads, and the only studs now for idi's is a stud that arp has thats just a tad too long but it works great there is a few people using it, but there pretty expensive close to 600 dollars as 6.9 studs are around 250 give or take

 

The problem with the 7.3 is the thin cylinder walls. That makes them harder to rebuild because boring them out is unsafe and sleeving is risky. The 6.9 has a very think bore wall from factory and could probably be rebored 3 or 4 times before it gets to the point of a stock 7.3.

That doesn't mean that the engine will expire at the 150k mile mark, but if cavitation is allowed to set in at an early stage, it is possible. However if even a half hearted effort is made to maintain the engine, it will pass 500k rather easily. Valve guids can be a problem for some of them, but heads can be rebuilt without affecting the rest of the engine.