Rebuild 7.3 or buy used 6.9

[91crew]

Ok so i melted a piston in my 7.3 which is already 20 over. My options are rebuild the 7.3 and have it bored to 30 over, or get a used running 6.9 out of an 85. The rebuild is going to cost me over a grand, while the 6.9 i can get for $250. It is still sitting in the truck running and comes with everything attached. If i got the 6.9 i would do head gaskets and throw it into my truck which is in my sig. I have the 7.3 torn down waiting at the machine shop for the go-ahead. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Edit: I am doing everything myself to save cash and have fun. Another piston looks like it has a hairline crack, and the rod bearings show a lot of stress on the upper part from detonation.

 

[MUDKICKR]

put 6.9 in it, and take your time on the 7.3 rebuild. id prob just sleeve the 7.3 if anything.

 

[david85]

Can you even bore another 30 thou off the 7.3?

I would sooner buy the 6.9 and build it instead.

 

[GenLightening]

Scrap the 7.3, save everything but the block and get the 6.9. Head gaskets and stud it and it's ready to go.

 

[In2Fords]

I dont trust the walls in a 7.3 as it is, I know its still thick enough but after dealing with cavitation in my 91 I dont trust them at all. It would allways be on my mind if I bored it over at all.

 

[Exekiel69]

mmmmh Bacon...


and get the 6.9l

 

[tractorman86]

ez are you a fat man too(at heart at least)? i too chose bacon
yea the 6.9 is a better idea if there isn't any unknown problems

 

[88 Ford]

You could always sleeve the 7.3 back down to a 7.3. Just a thought.

 

[Devilish]

You melted a piston but is the cylinder damaged?
If the cylinder is okay then honing that cylinder and a new piston could get the engine going again.
get the 6.9 anyways

 

[91crew]

The cylinder needs a bj bore job, it's pretty scored. Bacon is winning, so i guess i'll just buy that and make this http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/

 

[towcat]

mmmmm......bacon
jamb a running motor in in the meantime and work on rebuilding the 7.3

 

[Chevyboy_0]

I agree with Calvin on this one, I'd say get the running 6.9 and work on rebuilding the 7.3, and by the time your done rebuilding it you'll have a bullet proof motor and you'll know exactly what went in to it. Just my .02

 

[Burninoil]

this is making me hungry...

buy the 6.9 and build it. scrap the 7.3 boring a 7.3 over stock is like playing with fire and finding someone who can install sleeves correctly is not easy, it will drain the wallet too.

 

[david85]

Even if you can get a good sleeve job done, it will never be as strong as the 6.9 with its single piece casting and thicker walls. if you can drop a piston in the damaged hole to get you by for another few months, I would go that route and have a PROPER built 6.9 ready for when the 7.3 finally takes its last walk.

 

[Exekiel69]

ez are you a fat man too(at heart at least)? i too chose bacon
yea the 6.9 is a better idea if there isn't any unknown problems

Nope, just in My heart but I can't resist bacon.