To Build, Or Buy a Reman

[loudmouth]

OK, so @ 300797 miles, my obs is now blowing it's oil cap off, and sounds as if it's running on 7 holes. Mileage is still decent but you can tell it's down on power. It doesn't seem to smooth out till it's turning 2400 or better and it has a monstrous amount of blow by, let alone the blue smoke out of the exhaust.

So I guess it's time to face facts and start making decisions about it's replacement heart.

I can pick up a complete core for 200$ I have a set of reman heads with less than 6k on them that I can cabbage for free. I don't have an engine stand capable of holding a 7.3, nor do I have a garage to do it in.

I'm guessing 600$ish in machine work, 1200$ish in a rebuild kit. By the time I buy a decent enough stand to hold it, and all the misc stuff, even with my free heads I'm looking at the 25-2700$ range.

My other option is a Marshall reman
3yr 100k warranty, oil cooler, oil pan, timing cover installed, I just add my high pressure oil side, and fuel system, which is all new as of the last 10 months and drop it in. I can buy the Marshall from work with my discount for 2900$
I'm figuring after incidentals, tax and such, I'll be in the 3700$ range.


So my question is, what would you do, and why?

TIA

PS, I've looked high and low for a good used engine to no avail, if you know where one is, close to southeastern KY please tell!

[late_99_PSD]

If you don't have experience rebuilding engines then I would definatly not recomend tackling a rebulid, especially if you don't have the room, tools, and proper equipment. Personally I would lean toward the rebuild due to the fact that its $1000 cheaper (acording to your calculations.)

[ridiculously_necessary]

i like the rebuild option, with a reputable builder. another plus is you will most likely keep your forged rods. i think most reman long blocks are PMR's these days. thats not a bad thing, just something i would prefer if it were me.

[loudmouth]

Looks like I'm going to fix the oil leak and keep on rolling till the engine tells me otherwise.

Finally got a chance to do some more investigation. Turbo o rings are leaking enough to shame the Valdeez.

EBPV stuck half closed, don't know if has any affect on the smoke?
Lots of play in the turbo

I have another turbo to go back on, non ebpv, of a med duty 444e

Did a compression check and all the cylinders were 300 or better, so I guess we'll just keep a rockin!

[CT Performance, Inc.]

Time to MOD!!!