Repairing a cracked head
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Tillsonburg ON
Repairing a cracked head
My friend recently cracked a head on her 1997 7.3PSD and now must replace her WHOLE ENGINE 
... at least that's what her mechanic tells her ... is this true?
According to the mechanic a tube came off and caused the engine to overheat. The truck did not start once cooled off and had to be towed. Her mechanic now tells her that the head is cracked and it cannot be repaired, the engine must be replaced. Naturally, a new engine would be very expensive and finding a wrecked SD is near to impossible in this (and probably most) areas.
My knowledge of diesels is very limited as mine always goes to a mechanic for service, however in gas engines, I am certain that a head can be replaced without replacing THE WHOLE ENGINE! What does her mechanic mean by this and what is the expected cost of this repair? I have searched this forum and found references to cracked heads & the cost but nothing very detailed.
Thanks in advance for any help!
... at least that's what her mechanic tells her ... is this true? According to the mechanic a tube came off and caused the engine to overheat. The truck did not start once cooled off and had to be towed. Her mechanic now tells her that the head is cracked and it cannot be repaired, the engine must be replaced. Naturally, a new engine would be very expensive and finding a wrecked SD is near to impossible in this (and probably most) areas.
My knowledge of diesels is very limited as mine always goes to a mechanic for service, however in gas engines, I am certain that a head can be replaced without replacing THE WHOLE ENGINE! What does her mechanic mean by this and what is the expected cost of this repair? I have searched this forum and found references to cracked heads & the cost but nothing very detailed.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Kelowna B.C.
If its just a cracked head it can be replaced, but if you cooked the thing hard enough to do that I'd think the rest of it would be junk. They do come threw used once in a while. Try Coldstream autowrecks in Vernon if they don't have one they sould be able to send you in the right direction. Good luck. 
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Tillsonburg ON
Thanks eckart, I know the place. And being as you're in my neighborhood, can you happen to recommend a good shop for working on the 7.3 PSD? I always took mine to Kelowna F/L but I never had to do anything this big.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland, GA
Well, the head studs are so long that in order to change the head, you do have to REMOVE the whole engine, maybe this was what he was talking about... Unless she cooked the rest of it, she shouldn't have to replace it, but as long as the cylinder sleeves are good, I've seen some master rebuild kits on the netthat could probably help... Reman heads for this motor run about 4-500, but if she has the money, I've seen long blocks for about 3500, so take your pick... E-mail me if you want to know where I found any of this stuff....
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Kelowna B.C.
I've always used Orchard Ford for anything I can't/don't want to do myself. They have always been great to deal with. Is the motor a basket case or is there still a chance of it being fixed? If your putting in a used stroke the dealers may not want to do it. I can't think of the name of the shop at the moment but theres a deisel shop in Windfield a buddy takes his truck to thats been around for a long time. You'd think a T444E longblock wouldn't be all that hard to comebuy. Talking to Cooksons would probably be your best bet. They have probably seen it all and know if its worth fixing or where to find one.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
The engine does not have to come out to replace a head all the PSD's I have worked on have 18 head bolts and not studs I will say they are very heavy but it can be done. Maybe I am wrong but I don't think so.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: Bremerton, Wa
I helped my Stepson remove and reinstall heads on an older 6.9 and it was pretty straight forward project much like 7.5 liter heads - heavy as hell.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 0
From: STEPHENVILLE,TX!!!!!
ive had the heads off my truck its not a big deal. if the deck of the block is warped then it had to come out to get surfaced or if its really bad a new block due to warpage. if its just a cracked head and the block is fine thats not that bad of a job at all.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore
Ask the mechanic why the engine needs to be replaced. The engine may have internal damage from overheating or coolant getting into the cylinder. Maybe it's just his recommendation based on his experience with this type of engine damage. Your friend doesn't want to spend the money to have the head replaced only to find out there are other problems.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Camperdoodles
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
4
Dec 22, 2013 06:43 AM