Oh $H!T Big Problem

[IDIJunkie]

Well the head gasket job has just gotten a lot more involved! I just found a crack in the #7 cylinder . It has a small crack and a lot of scuffing on the cylinder wall. The #5 cylinder had 1 loose head bolt, and I think thats why it had lower compression then the rest. What I don't understand is why the #7 didn't loose compression? Here are the compression numbers.
1- 430
2- 440
3- 420
4- 400
5- 370
6- 380
7- 420
8- 400

What would cause the cylinder to crack like that? The last time I used the truck was when I pulled a 21000 pound trailer 20 miles and it ran just like it always has. The water temp never even got to 210. The egt never exceded 1050 and the max boost was 11 psi.
I'm kind of lost here guys! What could have caused this? It looks like it's time to find out if the spare 7.3 will run. Would I be able to have the block sleaved and fix the problem? Any body know of a good engine machine shop in the south east Indiana, south west Ohio, or northern Kentucky area? It looks like I'm starting Friday the 13th out real good.
Thanks guys!

 

[punkmechanic]

I havent been in Indiana for 5 years but the napa in Seymour indiana used to have a machine shop linked to it that was really good. That or there are a few in Indy that are pretty good. I will call my father and have him ask around at work.

 

[RLDSL]

I can't tell for sure from the picture, but that looks like rust. Kind of liike like you may have a case of cavitatation going on there

 

[Agnem]

Man that sucks! Sorry to hear this. Didn't you just rebuild this rig?

 

[icanfixall]

Mechanically speaking that cracked cylinder will sleeve but... I dought it will hold pressure. Thats just way too much distance for a sleeve to seal the crack. Even if it sealed up completely you would be asking yourself when will the next shoe drop. And you know it would fail some dark Sunday nite way out of town.. Sorry but find another block or give Promar a call.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Hi everyone, this is my 1st post on the Oilburners, been on the TDS a couple yrs., was wondering were Mel A. went too.
In responce to:IDIJunkie
I purchased a re-man 7.3 IDI from Promar and am very satified with it. I think, if I remember correctly, you have to have a return block that is capable of a re-man. They ship UPS (semi-truck) and you have to have some way to unload it from that or pick it up at a UPS terminal. You are 178 miles from me. I have a long block that would comply with that, you could have if you need it.

 

[94f450sd]

how about a 94 factory turbo motor?i want to sell the motor out of my 94 to fund a PSD swap.it has 100,000 miles on it.was a jasper complete reman from turbo to oil pan.it even comes with the ATS exhaust crap as well.new injectors and IP about a year and a half ago.all it needs is a water pump and oil change.ill swap the motor for a 94.5-97 truck with a PSD in it.

 

[dyoung14]

if it was me i would find a good late 85 86 or 87 6.9 block and start from there, your bugjet limits how crazy you can go with power lol

 

[Agnem]

Welcome Oldbul8! Yea, we pop in over there now and then, but not much.

 

[tractorman86]

yea, a compitent shop can sleeve it for you. Do a search on the sight somewhere someone posted the part #s of the HD sleeves. Since there is one cracked like that just go ahead and do all 8 so you dont have another one crack and have to pull it all down again

 

[Devilish]

Why not just look for a block? Cars and Parts in Columbus, In has a good block for $450 4 to choose from. AAA Auto Parts, Inc.of Evansville has a burnt eng in the shed for $500. If you sleeve you're doing a rebuild anyways. A reman costs you 3-5k so do it yourself and save alot

94f450sd I spotted these for you
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7-3-....c0.m245&_trkparms=72:543|65:12|39:1|240:1318
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7-3-....c0.m245&_trkparms=72:543|65:12|39:1|240:1318
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD....c0.m245&_trkparms=72:543|65:12|39:1|240:1318
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ford....c0.m245&_trkparms=72:543|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[towcat]

If that was my motor, I wouldn't trust the crack to stop crawling even if you do sleeve it. If the block was hard to find....ok...sleeve ans see what happens. Not so with our motors. I can't even give away good cores.
find a better block to start with and go from there.

 

[93turbo_animal]

My advise is start adding up your costs depending on what you can do and what you have to pay to get done now add in all the parts your time down and your warranty. Now compare that to some new short blocks or long blocks first you may be suprised.

 

[tractorman86]

yea if you get a reman short block then yes it is a viable remady but if you just find a motor someone pulled you never know if it has the same cracks yours had, or worse a cracked crank, bad bearings or what have you.

 

[IDIJunkie]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Robert, I don't think that it could be cavitation, I've had Evans coolant in there for 40,000 miles.

Mel, I haven't touched anything inside the engine untill now, it just turned 140,000 miles.

Oldbull8 I might take you up on that, I have to drive to Mechanicsburg in a few weeks and may stop by.

Anybody know what would have caused the crack?