What to do with this 7.3 core...

[ekfinn]

So I went down through the junkyard the other day, and there was a 96 F-250 that had been flooded up to about the bottom of the window. It didn't look like any water had reached the turbo (but the turbo was shot to hell), and since I had about a week off between contracts, I decided to pull the motor and buy it because I have a decent rapport with the guy behind the counter, and he let me have it for $330 out the door (gas engines usually go for $150 plus $50 core, he gave it to me for $250 plus $80 core for the weight because it's from a flooded truck). Mileage unknown, but the crank does turn.

This was a complete impulse purchase. I already have a 289 small block build on my engine stand, and I was debating whether or not I should go with a harbor freight 1000 pound or 2000 pound engine stand for this monster.

So, before I get elbows-deep into this sucker building a from-scratch performance motor for my truck.... Is anyone out there in need of an engine core for a crate purchase? I figure we could send this one out so that you can keep your truck running until the crate motor arrives on your doorstep for convenience. I'm not in a hurry to start buying parts since I need to do some front-end work to my truck (axle seals, tie rod ends, steering box, etc)

I'm already planning on performance HPOP, stage 2 sticks, and a Saginaw power steering pump. Dual alternators sounds cool, but I don't know as I really need it, although sometimes I really do think that the 130 amp alternator we have that came on Escorts of the era is really stretched thin after you have a cold start and those glow plugs were on for a minute or so. E-fuel, absolutely. Am I missing any points of performance concern?

[erics diesel]

If your going to get an engine stand from harbor freight I would get the biggest one they have. I've seen a lot of cheap pieces from there that don't last long or break right away

[rolsmojave3]

I have an OTC 1500lb stand with a 7.3 hanging on it now...It can hold it, but I need a buddy to roll it over. Stand was only $130 shipped.

[glovemeister]

I'd get the best harbor freight stand, add better wheels and add all kinds of bracing. They are good then. We found out the hard way with a Cummins that ratings are not necessarily true with HF stuff. Bent the stand like crazy.

[Diesel_brad]

I just scrapped a 200k forged rod core engine. I couldn't even get any interest for $400. Good luck

[glovemeister]

Dang I would have bought either motor since I need mock up motor.

[backwoodsboy]

Originally Posted by glovemeister

Dang I would have bought either motor since I need mock up motor.

Glove, mock-up block that may help you out:
Northwest Ford Diesels - motor mounts, oil cooler, up pipe collector
Apologies to the OP for derail and the mod-gods for posting a link to another forum.

[glovemeister]

Thanks bud, I am a member there. But happened to miss it. Thanks a bunch.

[ekfinn]

Originally Posted by Diesel_brad

I just scrapped a 200k forged rod core engine. I couldn't even get any interest for $400. Good luck

You're kidding, right? Where's all that talk from some forum members that these motors are worth $1000 just as a core? No matter, I can always strip down the block and keep the trimmings for spares when things go bad.

... Or I can just hang on to it for a few years when everyone is driving 2005 and newer trucks... and then 2008 and newer trucks, and everyone is spilling insane money to get their emissions system to work.

If there's one thing I've learned about these 7.3 trucks, it's that they are being driven in demand by their lack of emissions controls.

Then again, if anyone needs a crate core before I tear it apart and buy a kit, let me know.

[Diesel_brad]

Thats all it is, is TALK. I paid 400 for the engine(from a junk yard, NOT a u-pull it ) and robbed the injectors out of it. I can get them all day long for that money. Hell a running powerstroke is only worth 800-1000