I've always found the pressure gauge on the radiator to be quickest diagnosis for leaking head gaskets.
Looks like it's worked for you also. If it's turbo'ed, pull both heads and use studs. You'll go for more years than the Cummins conversion costs.
Unfortunately it is not currently a turbo setup. I looked into this extensively, scouting all the forums/CL/FB/eBay. About the cheapest I’ve seen shipped is $1000-1100 for old parts. I also have never spotted one in the junkyards around me, as they’re always N/A.
Figure $1200 for a used turbo kit, $200 to freshen it up with gaskets/seals/bolts/misc., new gaskets/studs/CDR for 7.3 @ $800-900, replacement of my tired Injectors and IP for $900-1000, and then an engine pull/reinstall, that’s a good chunk of change. Truck will also need a clutch soon, so that pushes me even further towards the swap.
I have a lead on a local running condition 12v VE pump engine, complete for $1200. Put $250 gasket kit, $440 for ARP studs, $125 for rocker machining, and the $3600 DCS complete kit puts me around $5600 + $500 contingency, so only 2x the cost to rebuild the ford.
Truck has new tires, new CM flatbed, new brakes and freshened d60kp front, it’s a crew cab in pretty good condition, will plan on keeping for a long time with a 12v.
Lastly, it will make hp/tq the IDI could not easily achieve, all while getting 3-4mpg better at all times.
If I could get an IDI turbo kit in usable condition for under $1000, I’d probably do it.
Change my mind? I’m always open to pointers and suggestions. Thanks!