7.3L with bad piston rings?
 

Hi guys. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to diesels, but I just bought a 1992 f350 crewcab with a 7.3L diesel and an E40d tranny all with 116k miles on it. I bought it as a parts truck for a gas crewcab i own and just got it home today. When I bought it, the kid said he was towing his boat with it and it would get hot. It never overheated because he would catch it in time and shut it down and go again. He figured it was a bad head or something along that line and bought 2 remaned heads for it that he never installed. When he was about to start the project he changed his oil and he said he found pieces of ring in the oil so he said "screw it" and bought a new pickup. When I got it home today it started right up and seemed to run just fine. I let it idle for about 40 minuted in the driveway, watched the thermostate dump three times with no heating issues as the kid described to me. I don't know about it burning any oil. The tailpipe has a bit of white smoke, not alot mind you, but here in alaska it's still only about 45 degrees so is a little smoke typical of a diesel at this temperature? Anyways, is this something I should consider fixing? Is it fixable for a reasonable price, or should I just part it as planned? Thanks for any help, Nate

Overheating can be a bad fan clutch, wrong thermostat or the lower rad hose (return) has no coil spring installed ........therefore at high flow it flattens and does not allow coolant to circulate......

I would check the coolant for SCAs supplimental coolant additive residue.... if there is some that would be very good.

I would definitely remove the engine and check the cylinder bores for damage.....by looking up at each with the pan off. If there is any damage..... boring is not considered allowable on our engines due to thin walls already...... but sleeving is an option.

Get back to us with what you think of doing.....

PLC7.3, did you mean to say that sleeving is a "debatable" option?

Do you see any bubles in the radiator or recovery tank? Try doing a pressure check of the cooling system if you have the tools. Does the oil look white instead of black?