Rebuilding from bottom up

[f350flatbed]

So I have been having trouble finding a replacement for my blown 7.3L and now I'm thinking I can find a block and rebuild using some old parts and some new parts. So what's worth spending the cash on? Hypermax has pistons, rings, gaskets, rods, etc. Are these better than the standard stuff from an autostore? I want to do this cheap but also I don't want to do it again in a year by going to cheap. Also, how about reusing head bolts?

Paul B

 

[funnyman06]

everyone will tell you, reusing headbolts is not a very good idea. When you tighten them up they stretch and when you reuse them they are already stretched out and are now more fragile then they otherwise would have been. So if you reuse them you risk blowing a head gasket. headbolts are not to expensive so id get new ones. For me it is worth the money to have the peace of mind.

 

[diesel4me2]

personally i'd get new head studs, as far as the hypermax stuff it's very expensive. is your block damaged? i found one in the bone yard for 400$ with machine work and parts my total invested in the new to me motor will be right around 2500$ that is of course with me doing all the assembly, but i'm very **** that way. as far as parts go heres some links

http://www.diesel-direct.com/webcat.php

http://www.precisionengine.com/rebuild-kits/

http://www.rpmrons.com/Fordkits.html#V-8

http://www.performance-auto-parts.com/engine-rebuild-kits/engine-rebuild-kits-ford.php

http://www.internationaldelivers.com/assets/pdf/works_kit.pdf

hope this info helps
chris

 

[h2odrx]

where you at? i got one for ya.

 

[f350flatbed]

Well, I finally bought a block in TX and it's being shipped here. As far as the head bolts, icanfixall went through this tightening and loosening procedure to get the bolts stretched on purpose. I don't plan on developing a lot of HP or anything so I don't think I need head studs, it's not even going to be turboed (not yet, that is!).

Paul B

 

[icanfixall]

F350... The bolts you said I stretched are actually ARP studs item number AR7.0. The nuts are ARN12-1 and the washers are ARN78N. The studs cost me $252.81. They listed for $287.30 but I got a $43.10 discount for some unknown reason. The shipping was $8.61 and no tax was charged. I didn't use any business name but a member did offer one. These are 200,000 psi studs. If you plan on a turbo later now is a good time for the studs. Otherwise you need to pull the motor again and replace the head gaskets and intake manifold when you change the bolts for studs. Its that old saying... Pay me now or pay me later. I do enjoy working on these motors but I don't like doing a job more times than is necessary. I had to pull this motor twice because as some remember my Kens studs (270,000 psi) broke after running about 6 thousand miles. It was not a nice day here in Ca. that day....