7.3 Build: Piston Install (part 2)

[@mannymx51]

Awesome video Phil! Thanks man

[@phil-from-tn3000]

Glad you liked it!. If you have any questions let me know.

[@johnwilliams6407]

Very nice work 👍

[@phil-from-tn3000]

Thank you. Its been alot of time and work on this one.

[@brandoncain91]

So the champher side goes to cam and flat sides will face rods? Is the a certain grease that’s recommended for piston and bearing to rods?

[@phil-from-tn3000]

If you're speaking about the Rod install, The chamfered side faces the crank. the non chamfered sides face each other. Hope that answers you question,

[@jaewilliams1934]

Hey Phil I’m doing my first 7.3 rebuild. You mentioned something about machining your heads in the last piston video and I was wondering what you meant. If I have my heads and engine block decked, do I need to buy new pistons? Trucks only got 190k on original block but I got coolant in my oil so I’m resealing the engine.

[@phil-from-tn3000]

If you're that far into it I would hope you're replacing the pistons. Something to consider would be the Speed of air pistons. You'll get much more efficient burn and about 15% better oil life and an increase in mileage. As for machining, only deck the block if it needs it heads need to be machined only if needed. I hade my block checked and I it was decked. The heads were cut because they also needed cleaned up. My engine suffered a severe overheat so I had to buy used heads. The block need cleaned up on one deck so they cut both. If you do get the block and the heads cut be sure to find out how much so you can order decompressed pistons. Mine we +20 on bore size and -10 on compression.

[@jaewilliams1934]

Ok. I haven’t ordered pistons. I had my block cleaned and they honed my cylinders to clean them up. You could still see cross hatching in them so not too much but they had some very minor surface rust in a few spots. I’m taking my heads apart now to have them checked. After that I will look into ordering my kit to rebuild. Any other advice before I start? You’re awesome man thanks for your help.

[@copebadgley5141]

Is there a reason you didn't check the bearing clearance?

[@phil-from-tn3000]

I did. They were with in spec and also my machinest checked them prior to me picking up my parts. He requires the actual bearing to be used so he can check them after he is done machining the block. He also checked the line bore since I studded the crankshaft. Turns out everything was good. He's top a top notch machinest.

[@eringrodeska2956]

did you check the ring gap?

[@phil-from-tn3000]

Yes I checked each set as they were assembled. All within clearance.

[@Cfass1]

Do all OBS trucks have forged connecting rods and push rods. Do they have anything else that is significantly better than the superduty

[@phil-from-tn3000]

I believe so, the PMR rods actually started in the Superduty series

[@Cfass1]

@@phil-from-tn3000 you’ve done an excellent job with this series. I’m only about half way done watching all of your videos. Thanks for taking the time. I’m not sure if you’ve done a follow up video after you’ve been towing with it for a while, but that would be nice if you haven’t done so.

[@phil-from-tn3000]

@@Cfass1 Due to being too busy at work and home I have not completed it yet. It should be this week though

[@nathannorthup8802]

Sometime in the 99-00 range is when they switched to pmr. I have a 99 (build date 3/99) and it has forged rods.

[@tipplefamilyfarms5638]

Where did you buy your ring compressor?

[@phil-from-tn3000]

I purchased that set from Speedway Motors. They perform perfectly as they are tapered to fit whatever size you order. A great buy when you consider the impact of massing up a piston install.

[@jesuscabrera2557]

What size did you buy for your Pistons rings?

[@terrellscaife2411]

Cool

[@phil-from-tn3000]

Thanks. it an ongoing work.

[@YoungOzzy432]

Should of went with Mahle sealed power is garbage 😂

[@phil-from-tn3000]

Hahaha. I've heard the same about Mahle. I think most of the problems are a result of improper install. I've used Sealed power, Mahle, even some old stock TRW bearings and never had a bearing failure.