CL 6.9 engine. Could be a winner, could be a disaster

[Knuckledragger]

I found this engine locally waiting to be completed. He has a photobucket link in the ad that has a disturbing shot of one side of the engine. Looks like a bad casting to me, but I couldn't imagine Ford or IH letting one go, knowing they would have to deal with it later.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pts/3774342951.html

I also wondered why he quit after having the machining done and pistons mounted. From the IP gear cover, it looks like an early engine because there is no tach pickup boss. It is painted blue, making me think maybe it has been apart before. The price seems ready for negotiations if everything is kosher, but I get a little spidey sense about this. What do you all think?

 

[icanfixall]

Well thats an engine from a buss thats been rebuilt once before. Se the front passenger side of the block has something that looks like a fitting for the front sump oil pan dip stick...No way would Ford use that kind of an exhaust manifold gasket. The rockers and pushrods are junk. No way will I attempt to reinstall those unless they are the only ones left on the planet and I had to drive home. The block needs more machining. that looks like the coolant as not kept up by the rust seen in the water pump cover area. Now this is an early block. Thats easily determined by the couple last pics. The rear main seal cover has some PRESSIN oil squiters. We have only one member that has that special tool to install and anign those.. Nobody else can or will do it. So whats it worth.. Nothing to me and anyone wanting it will need to ask lots of questions.

 

[Knuckledragger]

I stopped looking after seeing the casting defects. Front sump? No wonder he quit. Probably found out he was going to have to buy a new oil pan and pump pickup tube, shot the budget all to heck. I have a 4x4 in the back yard that probably needs an engine rebuild and thought this might be a short cut, but I have dealt with the press fit oil squirters and don't relish doing it again. And I would have to take it all apart to get the balance checked and wrist pins checked. Starting from scratch will be fine, thanks. Unless I can get him under $500...

 

[riotwarrior]

The parts are worth money, block and machining not...early block with pressed in squirters not a good think from what I hear! Good luck getting those installed correctly

I dunno...depends on what you want to offer for some parts...

Not for me at the asking price, he doesn't want to finish it for some reason..hard to say why. He says no chassis, well complete it and sell it. As parts it's not worth 1500 IMHO

 

[icanfixall]

Actually Mike our oil pans fit on the engine in either direction. So all you need is another block.. But you have a complete 6.9 engine now. Another problem I see in those pics is that engine stand will not hold the weight of that complete engine. Not knowing if the crank has been turned scares me too. As for the need for another dip stick tube.. Nope.. Just need that fitting seen in the block front location to be moved to the rear location. Probably easier to buy another one from uhaul. they were selling several of them a few months back for around $50.00. Or a machinst could turn one out in no time...

 

[NO_SPRK]

I'd make a offer for the pistons and scrap the rest

 

[Knuckledragger]

I'd make a offer for the pistons and scrap the rest

Ha! I already have a set of .030 pistons, why am I even looking at this engine? Answer: because it looked like someone had done some of the work for me. But then I would have to do even more and still don't know the quality of the current work. He took the time to take the cam gear off, too. Why, unless he had to replace the cam or the gear? Too many questions to seriously consider this anything but a basket case.

 

[icanfixall]

Still finding issues with this. The cam in sinstalled with out the gear. Now its nearly impossible to tistall the gear on it. But just two small bolts and the cam comes out. Then the gear can be warmed up to 250 degrees and pressed on the cam. The cam bolt to gear torque is 25 lbs too.. Not much but remember its pressed on. The gasket set has an oil pan gasket in it.. Nope... Not for my engines. Thats a future leaker for sure. Why buy something you can't or shouldn't use... I would like to know more about the heads but I'm not interested in a buy. I wonder if they are under specs.. Or did someone knurl the guides...

 

[NO_SPRK]

theres a reason why you should have a good machine shop do the work instead of cutting costs and assembling yourself... if you have no idea haha

 

[TahoeTom]

Dipstick mount is in front, but the oil pickup tube is for a rear sump. Heads havent been looked at with exhaust still attached. One head alignment dowel and temp sender still in block after machining? I guess it's easy to pick something apart. The fact that it is an early casting with press in squirters and the weak block heater hole would be a deal breaker.

 

[NO_SPRK]

if knuckledragger is over it i may make a offer for the pistons and hang onto them

 

[madpogue]

That's not an "engine"; it's a set of parts. You wouldn't list a disassembled set of truck parts, _possibly_ (questionably) enough to build a complete truck, as "truck". But that's CL for you....

BTW, how do you know whether your block as the block heater weakness or not? Ours is an '85, but with a reman engine. Is there a "compare/contrast" pic somewhere?

 

[jaluhn83]

You can tell off the engine sn number stamped on the driver's side front top of the block. (just outboard of the injection pump gear housing looking down) The break is something like 179xxx IIRC. No way to tell otherwise.

 

[madpogue]

You can tell off the engine sn number stamped on the driver's side front top of the block. (just outboard of the injection pump gear housing looking down) The break is something like 179xxx IIRC. No way to tell otherwise.

Aw snap, I think that's right where Dealer's Diesel put their own engine number plate. Hm, gotta go look....

 

[Knuckledragger]

NoSprk,

Go ahead and make a deal if they will go for it. I was sort of trying to get an engine ready to put in before taking one out. No matter, the truck has been sitting for 3 years already. Now I have to worry about getting a D60 front axle so I don't have to mess with the TTB, which I am pretty sure needs a rebuild. Yet another excuse to put off the project.