7.3 questions
 

Hey all. I'm new to the diesel scene and I just have a few questions before I go and do my engine swap. (7.3L frame cut down and bronco body placed on it. (7.3 bronco).)

I've been looking at a few F250/350s within my price range, but there mileage is in the high 200s to low 300s and judging by the looks of the trucks I'm guessing that the engine wasn't fully maintained properly.

I know that these engines can go a long ways, but how much would a simple stock engine rebuild cost? Where could I get a rebuild kit?

I've read into upgrades so I don't really have questions regarding that and I know about the upkeep on the coolant system.

If anyone has any other pointers please feel free to add them in.

You're gonna have quite a few jealous guys here with the bronco! You can buy a complete rebuild kit from riffraff for a grand or so iirc if you need. A compression test on whatever you get for a motor would give you an idea of what kind of shape its in.

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....forget you wwere here..this is a dream...wake up...

doh..broncosss

I want to do a Bronco myself! I'm not sure if I want to shorten the frame of a truck I have, or just put the F350 running gear under the Bronco frame. There is also the possibility of using '05+ axles with coil springs and radius arms. I would probably go that route if I had the money, but I have all OBS parts to do it already, so mine will get a D60 front and 10.25 rear with leaf springs. Whatever you do, please keep us updated and post up LOTS of pics!!

It's easier to cut a frame an put the body on, but its been done the other way by real Ford technicians. But we are getting off topic..

Sorry, we tend to stay off topic around here! LOL! There is a check list floating around on here for what to look for on the PSDs when buying one, but I don't have it. Mike will probably post it if he reads this.

These are the couple I have found:
1996 f-250 4x4 powerstroke diesel ~ 2hr drive
1997 ford f250 powerstroke ~ 3hr drive
95 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel ~ 5hr drive
95 ford powerstroke ~4 1/2hr drive

What do you guys think? These are the only ones between IN, OH and MI that are within my price range without going too far. I really only care about the front clip, frame, and drivetrain.

be careful about any engine that has over 300k on it. The odo resets to 300k after 399999 miles.

look for paperwork to verify 300k miles

For engines that high up on the mileage I plan to actually just rebuild it that way it is young and fresh and I can mod it from fresh instead of trying to mod a tired engine.

Only thing would be, how much is a rebuild gunna cost me?

I would run a compression test. If compression is good you can run 500K+ miles. 300K miles is really mid-life, not end life for these engines if they have had any kind of regular maintenance.

As far as a rebuild... check with riffraff for a rebuild kit (~$1100) and check with a local machine shop to see what block machining would cost.

Other things you might consider include having the heads re-maned (ask the machine shop). If you do the heads be sure to replace all the injector cups.

Richard

Machine shop is like ~300 if that for machining the block. Heads I don't know because they don't do it at the place I know.

Also be sure you get cost to balance the rotating assembly.

There is really not much in the head to go bad if the valves are sealing (easy to check with a hand pump). Just replace the cups and clean them up yourself. Cost you ~$200 and a bit of elbow grease (includes tool rental).

Again, I wouldn't bother rebuilding the engine if the compression is good.

Richard

In thinking about it, if you wanted a halfway point where you could save a lot of money. have the machine shop check the bores (or get a dial bore gauge and do it yourself) and just re-ring it if the bores are good.

Re-ringing it will cost you at least 50% less because you will not need machining and re-balancing.

Richard

I was just considering a re-ring/seal kit, new turbo and injectors then the typical mods everyone else says on here. (need to do research to remember them all.)

For my money..its out...y not make it ready for another half million and do it right.
i have an engine on the stand I'm building for someday..since i plan on being buried in my cc I'm preparing slowly for the day i need it