I've got a neighbor who is trying to figure out what route to go with his motor. After he got thru rebuilding his front end, rear end he finds out his number 3 cylinder has no compression. He still owes 7K on the truck, he's put about 7k into so far but it is a work truck, dump body, rack and more. He does tree work with it. Part of the rebuild included getting the front 4wd to work. Anyway, all in all he was told he could get a long block from Jasper for 5k with a 1 year warranty or a complete setup for about 8K with a 2 year warranty. After this about the only thing he would not have replaced would be the tranny. Just wondering if anyone has dealt with the 7.3 and if there are any better options. BTW: he bought this truck at auction I think about 4 years ago so he knows now the mileage was probably not right.

I'd try to sell it as it sits and find a replacement vehicle... but on the other hand since it's not a "standard" type of truck he may have to bite the bullet and put a motor in it. However I thought the 7.3 was pretty much bullet proof in "stock" form.

I'd try to sell it as it sits and find a replacement vehicle... but on the other hand since it's not a "standard" type of truck he may have to bite the bullet and put a motor in it. However I thought the 7.3 was pretty much bullet proof in "stock" form.


Yeah, there is no telling how many real miles are on this truck. He had a special rack built over the top of it and winch setup. He is really good at climbing and tree work but knows very little about mechanics. He is a younger guy and is learning many lessons with this truck. I hate it for him. He is looking on ebay as per my advice for a motor.

That is what I was going to suggest. Ebay... There are tons of 7.3 motors out there to be had and plenty of rebuild parts if he wanted to go that route as well. Really hard to buy a 7.3 450 that hadn't been beat to death and worked over.

Hope he gets it all figured out.

might want to hit the powerstroke boards as well, could find something there.

Tell him to call Beans in Woodbury Tn They might be able to help him out.
http://www.beansdieselperformance.com/contact.htm
I have had them install my HPOP & injectors in my 99 7.3.

Might better look for another engine in the junk yard. There are millions of 7.3's out there and there has to be a bunch in the scrap yards by now.

Okay, if there are any Ford experts out there this poor guy needs help.
He ended up taking it to another mechanic that said he had a bad cylinder.
He opted for a $10K Jasper remand engine with a 2 year unlimited warranty.
6 miles down the road the motor blows. Fluke, maybe but then they replace the engine and it does it again..down the road about the same and the same cylinder blows again.
So now it's a "who's at fault" issue. Supposedly the first mechanic while trying to weld the exhaust manifold could have created a problem according to the second mechanic.
Bottom line is somehow the glow plug in cylinder 3 is lighting up and staying on.
I'm no expert but sounds like something in the ECM.
Question is what could cause the glow plug to stay lit? I think this underlying issue is the real root cause. No one can figure it out...
I think he has over 20k in this truck now and no end in site. Totally upside down.
The first mechanic found an issue with the engine after he rebuilt the front and rear end of the truck.
Poor guy is really getting screwed. If anyone knows someone anywhere close to Chattanooga TN that knows these engines...mechanically and electrically please let me know.