valve train noise.

[jactoy4x4]

for a month or so i have had the infamous "chuffing sound" coming out of my stack. knew it was gonna happen sooner or later, and today it did. fired it up, drove down the street and a valve is ticking LOUD.

I am considering swapping another running 7.3 in it but am afraid down the road its gonna do the same thing as these are infamous for weak valvetrains.

If i can score a 12 valve from a buddy of mine for cheap this would be my first choice.

Someone on here has one in their truck but cant remember who?

Engine, transmission, transfer case. Sitting on the ground and those three stripped out of the ford, how much time and money is involved (minus drivelines and myself having a very extensive welding and fabrication background) would one figure it would take to make this swap possible?

Thanks in advance.

 

[6 Nebraska IDIs]

At one point in time I remember hearing that a Cummins swap into a Ford chassis costs more than a full rebuild on one of our IDI engines would.

 

[ameristar1]

Darrin Tosh is the one to talk to about doing a Cummins swap, averagef250 did the same thing. But as far as comparing the rebuild versus the swap, it's cheaper to do the swap. As much as I like the IDI, it is what it is and unless a lot of money is spent on one, it will not perform like a CTD, nor be as reliable.
If you want to do the swap, figure about 2500.00-3500.00 for the driveline, then price out a set of DeStroked motor mounts, exhaust work, and any other things to do the deed. You know how to build things so you can save money. The P pumped Cummins is the one to go for since it's the easiest one to hop up; be sure to do the KDP fix.

 

[typ4]

when you get ready to scrap the old engine let me know .the valvetrain isnt weak, how many miles does it have on it and did the previous owner maintain it?. Things do wear out. I do wish I could have found a cummins when I built mine but no such luck. I did all the measurements and I bet you could swap it over in a long weekend.

 

[DeepRoots]

how do you know it is the valve.... I mean, how do you REALLY know.
you think it's an exhaust valve, ok.

which one? have you swapped any injectors around to see if the noise follows the injector or stays in that cylinder? leak down test? compression test?
alot of people condemn the 7.3idi prematurely.
Instead most people prefer the "take two ******'s and call me in the morning"

 

[Diesel JD]

Also fixing a bad valve is a heck of a lot easier than swapping engines. All you have to do is pull the heads. Drew is right you want to be sure that is your problem before you condemn it. Pulling the valve cover and having a look see is usually enough. Having said that if you want a Cummins that's what you should do. Midnight Rider would say it's just an engine swap and it should not cost big money like some people claim. It's all down to finding a cheap donor truck. MNR used the Dodge Getrag transmission, I hear the Ford-Cummins adapters are a big part of the cost, since you are a good fabricator, you may be able to make your own adapters if you want to use your current tranny.

 

[typ4]

how do you know it is the valve.... I mean, how do you REALLY know.
you think it's an exhaust valve, ok.

which one? have you swapped any injectors around to see if the noise follows the injector or stays in that cylinder? leak down test? compression test?
alot of people condemn the 7.3idi prematurely.
Instead most people prefer the "take two ******'s and call me in the morning"

XXXX22222^^^^^^

 

[RLDSL]

If you think for a minute that you are going to get off cheaper doing an engine swap to a cummins instead of just getting a couple of heads done, or buying a couple of heads off ebay, I've got a bridge or two to sell you
If you want to admit that you are drooling and want a cummins so bad that you can taste it, now THAT I'll buy
Even if you get the cummins for free, by the time you get done with all the mods required to get the thing functioning, you will be into WAY more cash than you would have spent just fixing the heads properly even with all new guides and studs, not to mention the time involved.
Since when do we condemn an engine over a valve job???

 

[jactoy4x4]

I was busier than hell today...so tomorrow the valve covers will come off and the troubleshooting begins.

First of all, I AM drooling over a Cummins swap
BUT i am not in the financial situation to be spending that kind of dough. If my buddy can come through with the cummins (it is a complete truck, it was rolled onto its lid) then that by all means is the way to go.

However, if i pull the covers and find that it is what i think it is. Sounds like a broken valve spring(s). These engines do have double valve springs? correct? The slight "chuffing" it was making, could be just one broken spring on a valve allowing it to leak slightly, then the other spring finally let loose? If that is the case, ill just pull the heads, give them valves and guides and call it good. I am by no means condemning these engines, because i have worked it hard and had no issues till now.

I didnt think of a bad injector, i was caught up in the moment and assumed the worst.

Back to the cummins swap, i can fabricate drivelines, exhaust,mounts, ect ect. and would be swapping in the cummins along with the dodge transmission and transfer case and making new 4wd shift linkages so it operates properly.
My BIGGEST question is, is will the ford lift pump work to push the rotary cummins pump properly. That is all i would really be worried about is proper fueling of the engine.

 

[jactoy4x4]

If you think for a minute that you are going to get off cheaper doing an engine swap to a cummins instead of just getting a couple of heads done, or buying a couple of heads off ebay, I've got a bridge or two to sell you

If I had more money, id be happier than hell to buy them.

My other option for now is to get a complete engine from a guy i know (a steal at 200 bucks!) drop it in for now and start building the other engine to accept some boost.

 

[punkmechanic]

My engine is running light **** and I have looked into the cummins swap myself. The cheapest and easiest route is to rebuild the idi. 1000 gets a full rebuild kit from ford and all thats left is head studs (upgrade from the bolts that come in the kit) and machine work. next in line would be a 7.3 powerchoke. a 95-97 will drop right into your rig with the dash wiring, gauge cluster, injector control module, and underhood wiring. 1000 for that rebuild kit (plus studs and 2k for injectors if your core motors are junk).

last is the cummins. Ridiculous money to get ahold of one, then you have to get it in the truck and working, and then maintain it. For the big power they make the power band is narrower and the upkeep is downright theft. 1500 for a pump is crazy.

Dont get me wrong, the cummins is a powerhouse, but a powerstroke can do the same thing. The idi cant compete on power with either, but as for dependability it holds its own or possibly surpasses them. The 7.3 weak point is the computer, and the cummins is finding one that hasn't been beat to death.

just my thoughts after countless hours of research.

punk

 

[f-two-fiddy]

My engine is running light **** and I have looked into the cummins swap myself. The cheapest and easiest route is to rebuild the idi. 1000 gets a full rebuild kit from ford and all thats left is head studs (upgrade from the bolts that come in the kit) and machine work. next in line would be a 7.3 powerchoke. a 95-97 will drop right into your rig with the dash wiring, gauge cluster, injector control module, and underhood wiring. 1000 for that rebuild kit (plus studs and 2k for injectors if your core motors are junk).

last is the cummins. Ridiculous money to get ahold of one, then you have to get it in the truck and working, and then maintain it. For the big power they make the power band is narrower and the upkeep is downright theft. 1500 for a pump is crazy.

Dont get me wrong, the cummins is a powerhouse, but a powerstroke can do the same thing. The idi cant compete on power with either, but as for dependability it holds its own or possibly surpasses them. The 7.3 weak point is the computer, and the cummins is finding one that hasn't been beat to death.
just my thoughts after countless hours of research.

punk

Truer words have never been spoken, Usually a 12 valve gets worked pretty damn hard. And finding a truck that's been on its roof tells Me a little about the driver.

 

[ameristar1]

I was busier than hell today...so tomorrow the valve covers will come off and the troubleshooting begins.

First of all, I AM drooling over a Cummins swap
BUT i am not in the financial situation to be spending that kind of dough. If my buddy can come through with the cummins (it is a complete truck, it was rolled onto its lid) then that by all means is the way to go.

However, if i pull the covers and find that it is what i think it is. Sounds like a broken valve spring(s). These engines do have double valve springs? correct? The slight "chuffing" it was making, could be just one broken spring on a valve allowing it to leak slightly, then the other spring finally let loose? If that is the case, ill just pull the heads, give them valves and guides and call it good. I am by no means condemning these engines, because i have worked it hard and had no issues till now.

I didnt think of a bad injector, i was caught up in the moment and assumed the worst.

Back to the cummins swap, i can fabricate drivelines, exhaust,mounts, ect ect. and would be swapping in the cummins along with the dodge transmission and transfer case and making new 4wd shift linkages so it operates properly.
My BIGGEST question is, is will the ford lift pump work to push the rotary cummins pump properly. That is all i would really be worried about is proper fueling of the engine.

The Cummins has a mechanical lift pump mounted on the block like the IDI, and if you wanted to supplement with an electric pump, you could.

 

[RLDSL]

Truer words have never been spoken, Usually a 12 valve gets worked pretty damn hard. And finding a truck that's been on its roof tells Me a little about the driver.

Finding one that's been on it's roof tells me a LOT about the the condition of the bearings, crank and cylinder walls and most likely the cam as well

 

[jactoy4x4]

Thats very true, i will have to find out more about this engine before proceeding yes. Just an idea

For now it looks like ill be picking that other 7.3 up and droppin it in while i rebuild mine for some boost.