Rebuild or replace motor? New project - 1985 F-250 4x4 6.9 with Banks, T19, and GVOD.

BlindAmbition

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Picked this new truck up even though I need another project like I need a hole in my head. Cleanest truck I've seen in a while, couldn't pass up the price. The dash isn't even cracked and the paperwork is current. Has a 6.9, older Banks turbo, a T19, GVOD attached to the BW1345 transfer case. The motor was hydrolocked, I am unsure where to even start with a project like this. I've been scouring for donor trucks to get a decent motor out of, but everything seems to need a rebuild. What would you do? Drop in a different motor or rebuild the existing one? I found a machine shop about an hour and a half away that had knowledge of IDIs and had rebuilt plenty in the past.

I'm thinking of putting in a ZF5, keeping the GVOD, and putting a Banks Sidewinder instead of the older unit either way I go. Or just sell it as is and double my money and focus on my blue truck.

I have a basic Harbor Freight cherry picker to work with and I can buy an engine stand.

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ihc1470

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If you remove the glow plugs will the motor spin over or do you think you have some bent rods? Or has the block been ventilated? Guess it would depend on what locked the motor. If just a leaking head gasket it might not be that bad but one never really knows until you get into it. If you had to do a major rebuild would you get your investment back out of the truck? Looks like a nice truck in the picture.
 

IDIBRONCO

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1) I'd keep looking for another engine unless you want to tear into this one. Even then, it might be hard to tell if any of the rods are bent, like ihc1470 said.
2) That truck looks too nice to sell, in my opinion.
3) You NEED more than one IDI powered truck! :Thumbs Up
 

BlindAmbition

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There are no glow plugs or injectors currently in the engine and it will not turn over. The solenoid just clicks and will not turn the engine over. The starter is new. I have a line on an engine but unknown condition, just says "was running when pulled". It's only $300 with a C6 attached to it, may go that route.
 

BlindAmbition

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That's the next step, will try that tomorrow. I'm guessing not though, the previous owner said they tried starting fluid as well as bump starting (towed by another truck) to no avail.
 

BlindAmbition

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@ihc1470 I doubt I'll ever get my investment back out of these trucks. The knowledge I've gained is priceless, so there is that. As far as a major rebuild, I have zero clue, I've never rebuilt an engine. Might be worth the experience, but one of the reasons I picked the IDI is parts are seemingly plentiful and cheap, as opposed to a Cummins or even the GM diesels, at least here in SoCal.
 

ihc1470

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There are no glow plugs or injectors currently in the engine and it will not turn over. The solenoid just clicks and will not turn the engine over. The starter is new. I have a line on an engine but unknown condition, just says "was running when pulled". It's only $300 with a C6 attached to it, may go that route.
Then I guess I would not call it hydrolocked at this point. Seems more like it is siezed. Which could be several different things. Bearings on crank, piston scored, something in the timing gears preventing them from turning etc. Have you drained the oil and cut open the oil filter? Might find some clues there.
 

IDIBRONCO

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I think that I'd be heading in the $300 engine and C6 direction. You can put it in your truck and drive it and if it seems questionable, then you can work on rebuilding the current one or finding another to rebuild. Not to mention that you may be able to sell the C6 and get some of the purchase price back.
 

Jesus Freak

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I think you're just living up to the handle you picked for your Oil Burners identity.

I'm a proponent of working with what you got, but $300 for that "wild card" 6.9 and C6 is legit. @hacked89 will take the C6 off your hands, he actually finally found a legitimate use for diesel C6s.
 

KansasIDI

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I doubt I'll ever get my investment back out of these trucks. The knowledge I've gained is priceless, so there is that.
That’s the way I see it
As far as a major rebuild, I have zero clue, I've never rebuilt an engine. Might be worth the experience
Hey, I did it. If I can do it, you can do it. It’s not super expensive, it is a learning experience, and it is a worthwhile skill. These engines are pretty forgiving tolerance wise, if something is just a little out of spec, it’ll probably be fine.
 

MtnHaul

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Well if I had the time, tools, and space I would definitely go for a rebuild just for the learning experience. There seems to be a constant supply of core engines to work with and some are quite a deal. In my area there are still cheap 7.3 F-Superduty trucks for sale.
 

Jim993

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When my original 6.9 failed in 2007, I had a Jasper reman put in. The truck now has 270,000 miles on it but only 47,000 miles on the "new" engine. Runs great.
 
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