Replace parts or buy another engine?

[cbarm]

I have a '89 7.3 w/ 280K miles on it. I think the IP is shot and also the oil cooler O rings are bad (oil in coolant). Would I be better to try and find a different engine with maybe half the mileage, or try and fix this one? I have read on here that I can buy a good 7.3 for around the 5-600 range...

 

[rhkcommander]

ip n oilcooler aint that hard. 280k isnt that many miles either if it isnt abused.

id fix it! might be able to get a uhaul ip for 250ish still too

 

[cbarm]

250?? I thought these things were like 500+... Is a uhaul one a descent one of somethin I might be replacing in 50K?

 

[GOOSE]

You are passing up routine maintenance for another engine that will most definitely have the same issues. Do a compression test. If it checks out ok, service the one you have. I usually evaluate things this way; for every dollar I put into what I have, it's the equivolant of spending $5 on something that I do not know much about. Service your oil cooler and replace your injectors; You will have the certainty of knowing the will be good for another 100-150 thousand miles.

 

[Devon Harley]

Around 80 to 100 but IMHO you will not find a motor as good as yours motors are scrap price if you cant hear it run and check its blow by also I don't think they would leave a good injection pump on the motor

 

[typ4]

I think the uhaul pumps are all gone and some of them leak and need resealed, 2 out of the 4 I bought did. Keep the engine you have. oil cooler orings and gaskets are easy, if you cant find them easy I have some old stock IH from uhaul.cheaper than the dealers.

 

[DragRag]

What he said, just fix it.

 

[idiabuse]

Well it is so much easier to get another engine with no known history and install that one than to do proper Maintenence. Sounds just like our Banking policies.

 

[cbarm]

You guys think I am lacking on maintenance with this engine I guess. There are lots of other threads with this same truck that I have started saying I just bought it. I am just looking for ideas, not someone to give me a scolding...

 

[Devon Harley]

No it's not what's being said dude that's miles=maintance just like oil every 4k gas when the gas lights on thats all. I really don't think you will find a better motor than your unless you know your sucks. I would run a compression check if Alls good then fix it thats all you can take passenger side wheel off then unbolt motor from mounts jack up a couple in and side the cooler out people make a fuss about it. do it that way an it's alot quicker you can get a decent rebuild for around 400 I found a local shop. only one guy there did it he came over a couple days after work an rebuilt mine with me. That was a dumb choice on my part it has tons of small pieces in there but my truck has ran for 2.5 years no problem.

 

[cbarm]

Well I appreciate the advise and a compression test would be a good idea for sure. If I go ahead and fix this one then the oil cooler itself usually never needs replacing does it? I read on here that its 99% of the time the O rings around both ends that go bad...

 

[riotwarrior]

First 280K is not much...my 91 has 199K KM..not miles...that equates to around 125K miles...you would be about 175K miles if your saying 280,000 Kilometers...NOT very much for a diesel at all...

Once in a while, the coil cooler will fail due to poor condition...rust from outside in...what ever...for most part though, it's remove...clean, clean, clean, replace O rings, assemble, clean block off where gasket surface is..and install fresh gaskets and then slide rebuilt cooler in bolt up, torque to speck...done!

IP and injectors for lack of better way...are like Plugs wires and distributor caps....they do where out over time and need replacement...well so do IP's and injectors....routine maintenance...These parts are wear parts and do need replacement now and then.

I'm in a similar point...except good oil cooler...I am un aware of condition of IP and injectors...I do plan on replacement sometime shortly...funds permitting.

I would suggest you keep what you have, do the compression test, buy/rent what have you to do it. Determine that it is a solid engine then proceed with the the repairs if it's a good solid engine.

Hope this helps you.

 

[cbarm]

Riotwarrier, this truck has 280K miles like it says in my sig. That equates to 448K or 448070 to be exact on what it shows today. I did as someone else suggested and replaced 6 glowplugs today (its all I had, and yes, they are the Beru ones) and now it starts a hell of alot better then it did before so I think I may have almost solved my problem. I will replace the last 2 tomorrow and then see how it goes...
this engine isnt using any oil that I can tell so far, but only having put about 500 miles on it, the oil hasnt moved a hair on the stick so maybe I have one of the good ones!