Rebuilding na idi to turbo idi

[359 Pete]

I have 1986 f350 with the 6.9 banks turbo. It is using a quart every 1,000 miles. I found a 1993 short block ($350) that is a factory 7.3 "turbo diesel" the guy said the heads were bad, was the reason for pulling the engine. I was thinking it might be time to rebuilt the 6.9 back with parts on the bottom end set up for the turbo along with turbo pistons or just ceramic the pistons to handle more heat or get 7.3 short block that I have located and use that as the new platform. I would like to do something similar to Icanfixall.

 

[towcat]

if you use the turbo shortblock, you will need 7.3 heads.
this isn't the same motor advertised in pleasanton over the weekend was it?

 

[dyoung14]

1 quart every 1000 miles is nothing, my old truck burned a quart every 250 miles i was pretty sure it needed valves seals, with that engine only doing that i wouldnt mess with it

 

[Agnem]

X2. The Moosestang requests 2 quarts every 500. Oil is cheap.

 

[359 Pete]

The short block I found is in Avenal. I saw the engine engine that you mentioned in the bay area via craigslist. After talking my brother we have concluded that we will probably keep watching the oil and adding as needed. I would like to eventually rebuild it and put cermic coating the manifolds, turbo and the pistons also arp studs (hopefully offset more heat and pressure). The banks turbo on the truck does not really impress me but i would hate to see how it would be without it. For the 86 era is banks comparble to ats? Thank you for all of your input on oil consumption.

 

[DragRag]

I believe my brother down in Santa Maria has a good running 6.9l. Just let me know if you want his contact info.

 

[359 Pete]

DragRag what modifications has your bro done to his truck. I would like to have 210-230 horse at the rear wheels. I have not dynoed, but doubt I am even close right now.

 

[DragRag]

It's just a stock engine, no mods, no turbo. You would need to put your turbo on it.

 

[icanfixall]

Just because you have an 86 truck don't think the turbo is an 86. You could buy a Banks turbo at any time and install it at any time too. I installed a Banks wastegated turbo on my 89 truck in 94.... It may not be possible to change a 6.9 into a turbo 6.9. I don't know where you can buy the 6.9 turbo pistons. All idi motors that are na have a 30mm piston pin. All turbo motors (usually a 7.3 motor) have a 33mm piston pin. The last shop that told me they had 6.9 turbo pistons was Diesel Direct in Florida. Thats been around 4 years ago... You might give Mahle a call. There located in Tenn. Ask for the engineer named Eric. As for ceramic coating the piston tops give Tech Line a call. I'm using their CBX ceramic coating. It can only be sold and installed by a professional. Its kinda hazardous material.... All the internal parts of all the 6.9 and 7.3 motors are the same... Even the part numbers are the same. Thats rods, crank, cam, gears, oil pump, bearings and seals. The only real differance is the turbo exhaust valves being made from inconel material and big pin rods. Really easy to find parts that way....

 

[359 Pete]

Icanfixall.... I was wondering when you would chime in. I am glad you did. I thought the 7.3 idi with the factory turbo would have been built more stout on the bottom end. I was under the impression those particular engines had different piston in comparison to n.a. engines.

 

[icanfixall]

Mahle was the oem supplier of pistons for all the idi motors. Every one I have measured has been 560 to 580 thousands thick on the dome. Even the turbo pistons. There was a change in some of the piston design. The got a thicker ring. They got a steel incert at the top ring to disapate heat better and the turbo pistons had a bigger pin at 33mm. Other than that they are about the same. When I tore down my original 89 motor I found it had Mahle pistons in it. I know it was never overhauled by the previous owner too. All the Mahle pistons are forged too. I don't know the dates but the pistons eventually came with a black hard anadoizeing on the tops too.

 

[359 Pete]

Thanks!