The death of a diesel engine

[IdaSHO]

I vote long block as well.

Ive got about 250k on mine now, and as well as it runs, it feels like it could easily get another 250k.

That said though, if the 7.3 ever dies in my '96, a 12v cummins will replace it.:victory:

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I'm sorry to hear this, you know my feelings as we have discussed this privately.

Like Jack said, I'm more than willing to lend a hand throughout the process. I'd also offer up my garage, but from what I recall your truck is lifted and it probably won't fit.

I'll offer the pad in front of it however, complete with compressor and cherry picker to pull the motor. At least it's not in the snow.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

its a 92 12V with the dodge auto/xfer case still connected, complete with the intercooler and radiator
$1400.

That's a screaming deal.

 

[bronconut]

I know $$ is a issue but I'd do a complete from a Ford dealership they have a great warranty that will be honored at any Ford dealership.

 

[78Bronco]

I'd source a long block kit as well.

 

[SChandler]

I highly recommend getting a factory service manual for your year of truck. For Dodge's, the Chilton's manual leaves a lot to be desired; I would assume it is the same for Ford. As far as long block or replacement motor, I would do a rebuild on your stock block by a reputable shop or consider a replacement from another truck or from Ford/International. I don't think I'd get a replacement longblock from the typical chain rebuilders. My dad had two in a row go south on him in his 93 Chevy with a 6.5. Not apples to apples, but it is my .02.

 

[Rot Box]

Sorry to hear That is the one failure that scares me the most when it comes to owning a diesel truck.

Imo you take a huge gamble when buying a replacement long block from the majority of suppliers. For the most part a warranty and lower cost don't give me peace of mind in this situation. For one it is a very time consuming process to replace a PSD engine whether you do it or pay someone else replacing the engine alone is a huge cost that you don't want to do twice. And two: getting stranded in the middle of nowhere could prove to be a nightmare especially in the places we all love to explore. I have had enough bad experiences with long blocks that I will not go that route again.

If this happened to me I would have the engine overhauled and upgraded by a shop that specializes in Power Strokes. There are also many internal upgrades you can have preformed while it is apart. Getting it balanced and blueprinted is a good idea too. I guess it all depends on how much do you love your truck and how long to you plan on keeping it?

These shops are near me in No. Utah. I know these shops aren't anywhere near you, but they know their PSD's http://www.wideopenperformance.net/default.aspx Maybe they could give you some specific recommendations. And http://www.moonlightdiesel.com/ has rebuilt two PSD's for friends of mine. Terry is extremely knowledgeable and happy to help. Best of luck.

Andrew

I highly recommend getting a factory service manual for your year of truck. For Dodge's, the Chilton's manual leaves a lot to be desired; I would assume it is the same for Ford. As far as long block or replacement motor, I would do a rebuild on your stock block by a reputable shop or consider a replacement from another truck or from Ford/International. I don't think I'd get a replacement longblock from the typical chain rebuilders. My dad had two in a row go south on him in his 93 Chevy with a 6.5. Not apples to apples, but it is my .02.

I agree with this ^

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I have a 2wd 1997 f-350 7.3

you can have the whole thing for $2500

Hi Martyn,
Sorry I am just catching this now. This one here is an excellent deal. There are some significant differences but look more closely into this as nearly all of the parts interchange from a 1995 to 1999 and the later ones. Again rebuild the turbo and the injectors and some other bits and you will have a solid engine. In fact this is an excellent era of Power Stroke and would be another good option. From there you can also possibly recoup some additional $$ from other bits from the truck possibly.

The Cummins swap is very inviting, I looked a lot into this as well when I thought my engine was going south (I have 240K and my 7.3 runs excellently/nearly perfectly) and I would consider it but it is not something I would recommend to someone unless they really really want a Ford with a Cummins in it. It is simply too expensive on the labor side in particular, but also including the parts as well. It adds up to nearly $20G or so I believe.

 

[DT75FLH]

the 2 biggest costs for hard parts on the conversion (after the motor cost) is the trans adapter (billet one is $795) and the crossmember for the motor mounts which usually runs around 5-600.

thats if you install it yourself.

those were current prices as I was looking to put my motor in a suburban.

usually the 20k quotes are for the newer common rail engines. as even used there about 6-7k for a takeout motor.

 

[psdfrank]

sorry bout ur issue, if it was me i would upgrade to cummin's if i found a good deal. you can try to download the service manual iso, burn to a dvd disck then install it, thats what i use.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

With any engine swap there are gazillions of little parts they you need. You also want to preventatively replace a lot of things on your engine before the install and this has lots of small costs as well. You can always figure about $500-$1000 for all of this stuff... I am going through it with another diesel swap currently. Even an oil change on these is pushing $50 in oil alone, let alone all of the time required to get all of those parts...

I think the Ford will be easier and possibly cheaper but it is still no small task. I have looked very closely at in the past as I mentioned and while I'm for it again it is not a quick/easy swap particularly on an automatic transmission model. There are some great posts about it on my site, if it helps www.4btswaps.com including that the transmission pin directions from Destroked are wrong and it caused him to fry his transmission controller... Things like this...

 

[jagular7]

Check your local GL site for flightline tractors. They used the Dodge with the Cummins/auto in them. These would be the late 80/early 90s model. Some can bring only $1500 depending on the location and weather. Most have under 50k miles. Running time may be up there though.

 

[Martyn]

Thanks to everyone for your input.

The information has me scratching my head and thinking a lot.

I too know people who have put in long blocks and had engine failures on them, sometimes multiple failures on multiple long blocks. It seems to be a matter of finding the right re-builder.

Doing a complete engine transplant from a donor vehicle has some huge advantages if you can just drop the whole thing in and bolt it up. But again you have to find the right engine.

No decisions yet, more advice welcome.

 

[chet]

start callign auto wreckers. alot of trucks around that age have low miles and end up in cab crushing accidents but the motors etc are fine. That is what I would drop in or have it rebuilt by a powerstroke specialist.

 

[Casper]

start callign auto wreckers. alot of trucks around that age have low miles and end up in cab crushing accidents but the motors etc are fine. That is what I would drop in or have it rebuilt by a powerstroke specialist.

This is a great idea, but apparently in this area 7.3's are hard to keep in the wrecking yards.

Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive: