Mtnview7
Registered User
Hello All,
I joined this forum several months ago but have not been active due to health issues and a death in the family. To re-introduce myself my name is Mike, I’m in Phoenix AZ and I bought a 1990 Ford ramp truck with a 7.3 IDI. I’m at a juncture with the truck and would like to hear the collective thoughts of this forum. I really need input on if I should have my engine rebuilt or by one in a truck of known history.
I’ll give you the background on my truck. I drove it before purchase and the engine ran fine, no strange noises or smoke of any kind. I was pleased with it as I didn’t feel it would need any work and the price was very right. Mileage was unknown due to a non-working speedo. I drove the truck home and started in on doing things I felt should be done on a truck that was going to be making long trips hauling one of my cars. As I got deeper and deeper into it, I found that this poor creature had been very abused. Such as no fluid in the speedo/e brake unit, 90 weight in the trans, a replacement rear end what was well over two inches too wide so that one spring unit lined up and the other was at a very sharp sideways angle. All the lower shock bushing were gone or removed. I could go on and on but that gives you a feel of the way things were. After seeing this I had the trans and e brake rebuilt and I have replace everything, flywheel on back to include the correct rear end. I now have serious doubts about the engine. So that brings me to my questions. Should I rebuild this one or buy a truck of known history for the engine. If I go with the rebuild what should I insist be done or replaced? If I buy a used unit what should be done just to give me peace of mind? Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.
Mike
I joined this forum several months ago but have not been active due to health issues and a death in the family. To re-introduce myself my name is Mike, I’m in Phoenix AZ and I bought a 1990 Ford ramp truck with a 7.3 IDI. I’m at a juncture with the truck and would like to hear the collective thoughts of this forum. I really need input on if I should have my engine rebuilt or by one in a truck of known history.
I’ll give you the background on my truck. I drove it before purchase and the engine ran fine, no strange noises or smoke of any kind. I was pleased with it as I didn’t feel it would need any work and the price was very right. Mileage was unknown due to a non-working speedo. I drove the truck home and started in on doing things I felt should be done on a truck that was going to be making long trips hauling one of my cars. As I got deeper and deeper into it, I found that this poor creature had been very abused. Such as no fluid in the speedo/e brake unit, 90 weight in the trans, a replacement rear end what was well over two inches too wide so that one spring unit lined up and the other was at a very sharp sideways angle. All the lower shock bushing were gone or removed. I could go on and on but that gives you a feel of the way things were. After seeing this I had the trans and e brake rebuilt and I have replace everything, flywheel on back to include the correct rear end. I now have serious doubts about the engine. So that brings me to my questions. Should I rebuild this one or buy a truck of known history for the engine. If I go with the rebuild what should I insist be done or replaced? If I buy a used unit what should be done just to give me peace of mind? Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.
Mike
