Rebuild or Swap 7.3 with high mileage?

[RocketScott]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm at another crossroads and would like some advice on which way to go. My E350 has been a work in progress for a while. My plan is to start using it for work once everything is reliable. I put in a craigslist transmission last month while I rebuild the original. Right now I use my F150 for my construction business so the time frame to fix it isn't a factor.

Last week it blew a head gasket. It produces a fair amount of white smoke and the coolant level drops significantly. The motor has around 350k on it and there is a tapping noise that is unfamiliar to me. The previous owner seemed to think it was a bad lifter. I'll see if I can post a video of it running. To do the head gaskets I'm sure I'll need to pull the motor (it's really tight in the van). So if I pull it I might as well go through the whole thing. My question is whether it's worth it to rebuild the high mileage motor or should I look for something with lower miles? I've seen a few for $1200.

I suppose either way I'm going to need to pull the motor. Is there a way to tell if it has cavitation damage once I open it up? I know very little about the history of this motor.

 

[IDIoit]

only way to check for cavitation is to have the block sonic tested.

this really depends on your budget, and plans for the rig

i favor the idea of purchasing another block.
this can go one of two ways.
either tear it down and rebuild it, if you have the cash
or hopefully you find a good runner and just slap it in.

as this is in a van, i would purchase a core engine, and have it rebuilt
or even buy a remaned engine.
when its done, do the engine swap.

ive done lots and lots of engine swaps, and parts tend to dissapear when i walk away from a project for a month or so while the engine is being machined.

 

[RocketScott]

That's about what I was thinking. What would a fair price on a used motor be? I know there are lots of variables. The last two I saw on CL were $1200 and $1500 but I can't remember the mileages.

 

[IDIoit]

i spent 600 on my 94 7.3 IDIT.
was a complete engine with less than 100k
just wait for a deal to pop up

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reman-93-94...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5671cb74c9&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Internation...668?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27f8cd1244

 

[Waystro]

I would Not Pay $1200-1500 for a IDI engine. That's about what a 12v cummins cost.

$600-800 Sounds about Right.

What ever you decide GoodLuck.

 

[IDIoit]

I would Not Pay $1200-1500 for a IDI engine. That's about what a 12v cummins cost.

$600-800 Sounds about Right.

What ever you decide GoodLuck.

you wouldnt pay 10 bucks for a oilburners "supporting member" badge either.
even if it came with free parts

 

[Waystro]

you wouldnt pay 10 bucks for a oilburners "supporting member" badge either.
even if it came with free parts

Hey I'm going to get my badge. One of these days.

 

[RocketScott]

That's something I need to do too. This site has been great.

 

[direwulf23]

In my list as well

 

[BDCarrillo]

N/A 6.9 or 7.3 cores can be had for ~$100 here in Texas. IE, scrap value if the seller can't answer the hard questions.