2003 Excursion 7.3 question
 

OK, so i need to replace my timing cover, I know this is a HUGE Job so with 315000 on the clock I was thinking maybe ill just pull the 7.3 (it runs great btw) and throw in a reman 7.3 long block while im at it. What are everyones thoughts on this? Should i replace the engine while i have it out? When I am pulling the engine what are the minimum number of things i have to take off the top of the engine in order to get the engine out of my excursion? Any advice?

Anyone have any input?

First question would be why or how do you know you need to replace the timing cover?

Only things off the top of the motor to pull the motor would be the turbo and pedestal, as well as the intercooler pipes. Unbolt the A/C compressor, but leave the lines hooked up and hang it over the fender with the evaporator coil, it will reach, and keep you from having to recharge the system.

The water pump will not seal to the cover because the sealing surface on the timing cover is almost completely corroded away.. Heavy amounts of sealant are required to keep it mostly sealed... Going through about a gallon of coolant per week

Is the coolant leaking on the ground or in to the oil? If it is in the oil you may want to consider dropping a reman motor in. If it leaking on the ground only I would run a compression test and if it had no unusual knocks or ticks just swap the cover.

If the compression is good, I'd replace the cover. You might still want to pull the engine to replace every gasket, however, since now would be a good time to do that.

I think this is what your looking for.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F250-F350-F450-F550-Super-Duty-Excursion-Van-7-3L-Diesel-Timing-Cover-NEW-/130976949351?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e7ed5a467&vxp=mtr As stated before, if your compression is good, heads are tight and your not using oil etc, then no need to replace the motor. Just replace timing gear cover. There are other on Ebay, or even at your local junk yards for around $90.

Oh, ok...front cover, Clay sells them by the way too Engine Front Cover 97-03 - Riffraff Diesel Performance

As others stated, I would do a compression test before removal to know, and if all checks out good numbers and even wouldn't hesitate at all to put the motor back in.

The coolant is not leaking into the oil, i was kind of thinking the same thing... if i get it out and the compression is still good just replace cover and put it back in.. at 315000 i figure i can get it to 500K without a rebuild. Anyone had any experience with changing the cover without taking the engine out of the truck... just lifting it enough to get blocks under it and dropping the oil pan to get the cover off

any recommendations on what i should replace just because i have the engine out of the truck? I already did the intl bellowed up pipe replacement and i have already rebuilt my turbo with a wicked wheel 2, ive already done everything on top of the engine, injectors harnesses glow plugs, HPOP (t500) Rebuilt the fuel bowl, hpx oil crossover, frx fuel pressure upgrade. any other suggestions.

It would be a good time to replace the o-rings in the dipstick tube adapter and oil cooler. Sure beats laying on your back to do those.

you doing this yourself?

Yes... Was gonna pull it myself... I thought about posting on here and inviting a bunch of guys from on here down to help on a weekend and having free beer and a cookout and anyone who wants to stay can swim and camp out in my backyard... I can fire up the fire pit... I am able to do it myself... I've never pulled a 7.3 but I've pulled a jeep 4.0 inline and tranny and I've redid the whole top of this engine down to the heads so pulling that stuff off again is not foreign to me... Of course would take me a lot longer to do it myself... Wonder if anyone would come help... I have access to an engine hoist but not an engine stand

You'll want a stand. To do the front cover, the oil pan needs to come off. The best way to reseal it is upside down on a stand so you can get it clean for the sealant to work well. The Harbor freight 2,000 lb stand works just fine for the 7.3 and it's relatively inexpensive at $129. There are usually 20% or 25% off coupons in the Sunday papers, so that would help too.

Georgetown where?