I've got this truck running what seems like good to me but I'm new to diesels and would like opinions.
It's a 94 originally non turbo 7.3idi that has had a factory looking turbo added. 5 speed manual. Not sure about the rear end but the granny low is a crawl.
This motor is pretty noisy when I'm idling or running empty like really clackity clack clack clack. Not much blow by, new CDR, return lines and reman injectors. Starts pretty easy with a little blue smoke on start in the morning mostly.
When it has a load on it like I just hauled a lincoln town car to the crusher and it was quiet and smooth as can be. Going over Ozark hills the pyro mounted just downstream of the turbo in the downpipe never got over 650 and it always had planty of power. The turbo boost is working now but I don't see it get much up to 5 if that. I couldn't really feel the 4000 lb car behind me. The water temp is always in the lower part of the dial and oil pressure is mid range.
It does have the back passenger side exhaust manifold bolt broken off but there doesn't seem to be much exhaust leak there if any.
I'm wondering what I need to worry about when I head out to Maine and back in 3 weeks, 4000 miles round trip hauling an 8000 lb boat on the back half.
Thanks to all the guys in this forum. Your advice has helped me straighten out all the little oddball problems this truck had when I bought it.

 

If I were making a long trip towing something that heavy, I would get the broken bolt replaced.

It don't take much exhaust leak to loose a lot of boost.

If your luck is like mine, as soon as you are out in the middle of nowhere, the other bolt would break, and you will loose all of your boost.

 

If your motor is clacking really bad, your timing could be too far advanced.