lets talk idi's

[tbirdfiend281]

alright, well, my truck has had a catastrophic engine failure, to the point where id bet money the motor probably is not worth salvaging. i assume all this from the fact i have about and 1/8th inch sized gap where the head and the engine block meet, on the rear passenger side of my 6.9 but no where else. this leads me to believe the head is either severly done, or the block is severly done. that all aside its coming out in the next couple of weeks, and ill send the heads and the block out to know for sure if i need a new motor. all that being said...


id like to start talking about my options for a motor going into my truck.

there are four im thinking of

stock 6.9idi
stock 7.3idi
stock 7.3idit
stock 6b (long shot as it takes alot of money/modifications

the truck will probably see a 7.3 idi n/a if the original 6.9 motor is unsalvagable but my question is, knowing that the 7.3 idiT internals are stronger then the 7.3 n/a's but, can a stock 7.3 idit turbo make as much power as an ATS/hypermax/banks turbo system for an n/a motor, or would the turbo on an 7.3 idiT motor be able to be able to see similar power, if ramped up a bit.

 

[rubberfish]

If we're voting, I'll pick number four, if we're talking a 6bt. :Sly

 

[Black dawg]

What brought on this 1/8 inch gap??

 

[f-two-fiddy]

That's about the thickness of a head gasket. Prolly just need to change them.

 

[Freight_Train]

That would be a REALLY thick gasket.1/8th inch is .125" thick and is HUGE.

 

[tbirdfiend281]

That's about the thickness of a head gasket. Prolly just need to change them.

the head gasket is thick but this gap is alot larger then a head gasket

plus when running the truck the back cylinder leaks compression, you can feel it pushing out of the cylinder

 

[yARIC008]

That would be a REALLY thick gasket.1/8th inch is .125" thick and is HUGE.

Well i'm sure 1/8th inch measurement is just an estimate.

Could be the headgakset...

If i were to do this engine replacment and had the options as said, i would go for a 7.3IDI turbo. Then maybe get a used banks system and use that instead of the stock system.

Whatever is done i'd make sure the 7.3 block was completely sleeved to avoid any cavitation problems.

 

[tbirdfiend281]

Well i'm sure 1/8th inch measurement is just an estimate.

Could be the headgakset...

If i were to do this engine replacment and had the options as said, i would go for a 7.3IDI turbo. Then maybe get a used banks system and use that instead of the stock system.

Whatever is done i'd make sure the 7.3 block was completely sleeved to avoid any cavitation problems.

coolant passage cavatation? ive vaguely heard about issues with these idi's and coolant passage problems, could you explain a little more?

 

[dbarilow]

20 year old aprentice diesel tech

coolant passage cavatation? ive vaguely heard about issues with these idi's and coolant passage problems, could you explain a little more?

This is why boards like this are so important to the longevity if the IDI Ford says they are outdated so there isnt any training on them....

 

[tbirdfiend281]

This is why boards like this are so important to the longevity if the IDI Ford says they are outdated so there isnt any training on them....

im not seasoned in the idi motors, ive done fuel delivery concerns with 7.3idi motor's but of coarse not alot. throw me into an 7.3DIT or PSD 6.0 and ill know whats going on alot better. as of right now the ford diesel training is the 6.0. thats it, intructors can choose weather they want to throw in 7.3 stuff or not, but for the most part it is 6.0 driveability diagnosis, and repair. and im sure i will have to go back for the 6.4 as it is going to a common rail injection design.

so ya im a little uneducated on idi internal differences. mainly on the blocks of them, because i have seen the difference in pistons and rods.

 

[Diesel JD]

I vote for an option you didn't give, a built 6.9. Mostly stock except with turbo pistons and rods if you can find them and head studs. That way you can either turbo it or leave it in stock trim and be confident about ist ability to handle all teh power you can throw at it. Otherwise, I'd vote for a stock 6.9 or 6BT Cummins. 7.3 IDI turbo would be a good choice too if you knew it was cavitation free or sleeved. It can make the same or better power as an ATS or Hypermax turbo truck. The internal differences are in the pistons which are hardened and shaved ever so slightly. the rods are shortened, again ever so slightly. The piston pins and bosses are bigger. The exhaust valves are also hardened. 7.3 N/A is a good motor, but you're already spendinggood cash on a new engine. You won't notice much more performance over your old 6.9. For a few more bucks you could ahve something you really could have a good time with. Just my 2 bits,
J.D.

 

[dieselmanic]

if it was me, i'd use the 6bt. with a 4" exhaust and a fuel plate you get 600#ft torque. very hard to do with the 7.3 idit. just my 2cents.

 

[tbirdfiend281]

I vote for an option you didn't give, a built 6.9. Mostly stock except with turbo pistons and rods if you can find them and head studs. That way you can either turbo it or leave it in stock trim and be confident about ist ability to handle all teh power you can throw at it. Otherwise, I'd vote for a stock 6.9 or 6BT Cummins. 7.3 IDI turbo would be a good choice too if you knew it was cavitation free or sleeved. It can make the same or better power as an ATS or Hypermax turbo truck. The internal differences are in the pistons which are hardened and shaved ever so slightly. the rods are shortened, again ever so slightly. The piston pins and bosses are bigger. The exhaust valves are also hardened. 7.3 N/A is a good motor, but you're already spendinggood cash on a new engine. You won't notice much more performance over your old 6.9. For a few more bucks you could ahve something you really could have a good time with. Just my 2 bits,
J.D.

6.9 blocks didnt have cavitation issues like the 7.3 blocks did?

i might reuse the 6.9 i just think the block might be toasted, but we shall see, maybe if it requires some deck milling and/or boring (if possible on these blocks)

the 6bt is an option if i can swing a descent trans behind them, i couldnt imagine life with a dodge tranny @ all, it would be nice if they made a way to use the c6 with a 6bt in front of it

 

[Agnem]

The 6.9 can cavitate, but it usually takes them much much longer, if ever to do it. The 7.3 is a much riskier second hand purchase because of this. This "GAP" you describe, deserves a picture. How about it? Come to the Jimmy Cone event this Saturday, and we can talk in person.

 

[yARIC008]

coolant passage cavatation? ive vaguely heard about issues with these idi's and coolant passage problems, could you explain a little more?

http://www.samantha.cc/cavitationartic.html

There ya go, explains it all. Slightly updated version over the one in the tech articles on oilburners here.