Cheaper Jeeper
Full Access Member
Well, I finally found a decent replacement engine for my old truck at a reasonable price. I picked up an 88 model NA 7.3 with 140k on the clock, all accessories included for $450.
I'm trying to decide the quickest & easiest way to do the swap. My old 6.9 with the Banks on it shows 62k on the ticker, and I'm sure that's at least 262k - if not 362k. Its got decent compression - around 300-350 on all cylinders (dead cold) and starts OK, but the blow-by is BAD - burns a quart every 75-100 miles. So, time for a swap.
With the Y-pipe going behind the ZF-5 bellhousing and all, I'm thinking the easiest thing will be to remove the grill, radiator, and radiator support, put a jack or blocks under the tranny, and leave it in the truck - pulling the engine almost straight out the front over the bumper. The turbo mounts to the backside of the passenger side head with only 2 or 3 bolts, so, I'm thinking that if I unbolt it from the back of the head and unbolt the y-pipe from the manifolds the turbo can just stay in place with the tranny.
Seems like that's gotta be easier than pulling the engine, tranny, t-case and all. Any other thoughts from any members who've done one of these swaps before?
I'm trying to decide the quickest & easiest way to do the swap. My old 6.9 with the Banks on it shows 62k on the ticker, and I'm sure that's at least 262k - if not 362k. Its got decent compression - around 300-350 on all cylinders (dead cold) and starts OK, but the blow-by is BAD - burns a quart every 75-100 miles. So, time for a swap.
With the Y-pipe going behind the ZF-5 bellhousing and all, I'm thinking the easiest thing will be to remove the grill, radiator, and radiator support, put a jack or blocks under the tranny, and leave it in the truck - pulling the engine almost straight out the front over the bumper. The turbo mounts to the backside of the passenger side head with only 2 or 3 bolts, so, I'm thinking that if I unbolt it from the back of the head and unbolt the y-pipe from the manifolds the turbo can just stay in place with the tranny.
Seems like that's gotta be easier than pulling the engine, tranny, t-case and all. Any other thoughts from any members who've done one of these swaps before?
