7.3 IDI Turbo Build Part 3 - Head Studs, Cylinder Heads, Valley Pan, Intake and Ex. Manifolds, etc

In this episode, we finish up the engine assembly and install the 7.3 IDI turbo engine in Project Brutus! I cover head stud and cylinder head installation, valley pan, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, fuel pump, rocker arms, pushrods, etc., including process, sequence, and torque specs for all.
For more details on torque specs, check this site - www.nickpisca....
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Thanks!
Scott

[@traderz3399]

I was leaning towards a 12v swap but now I almost wanna keep my 7.3 idi turbo

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

7.3 IDI turbo is a great engine! Keep it!

[@kemicalx17]

I want to hear this thing roar!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

You and me both!!! Thanks, Scott

[@EMTBEpicureanAdventures]

That torque wrench is way too nice for government work!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

It's a good piece of gear, Scott! Thanks for checking in!

[@stevesmith669]

if you run a turbo add some more oil drain back holes in valley pan under oil return for turbo, helps wit cc pressure

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks!

[@shakes6428]

I just bought an 85 IDI today. Thank you for all these videos! Really going to help me in the upcoming months!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Congrats on your purchase and welcome aboard! Scott

[@reggiekroll3123]

I wish I could do all this to mine. Can't wait to hear it run

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Reggie - well, it's taken me almost a year, so I've been able to spread out the expensive parts. Thanks, Scott

[@rickeymyers9382]

Keep up the great work!!! This is definitely motivation for me to start on my 85 6.9 idi

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks, Rickey! The IDIs really are simple engines to work on, and not terribly expensive to build, either. Scott

[@MichaelJordan-jv6ic]

Steve Erwin, eh? Glad to see the progress on the truck! Looking forward to seeing that rig finally roll down the road under its own power.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

I've been catching snakes forever; only bitten by one venomous one (copperhead)! I'm definitely ready for the truck to move under its own power for the first time in 20 years!!! Thanks, Scott

[@russmurphy7062]

Watching you get the block between the rails, it takes what it takes. I'm an engine builder myself. Having that much attention to detail, as in torquing small bolts, is a slight bit anal. But it's also your truck. Your pace of working isn't on a professional level but you're getting it done. Again, this is your project. When you get to something that needs anal, you're doing the right things. I've watched you working on this truck and was intrigued when I found your videos. You demonstrate that anybody can do the work, is actually refreshing. Keep up the work bro. It'll get there.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks for the input, Russ! I'm ok with being...err...particular when building an engine. Scott

[@okiedoke6373]

excellent explanation getting an engine together however my experience with reefer repair is that gasket material that you use for the water pump create a permanent Bond and so if you have water pump failure getting the water pump off the truck is going to be a living nightmare especially on the side of the road I've never had one leak just using gasket and silicone more emphasis on silicone than gasket

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks for the comment Okiedoke. Scott

[@royhaught9516]

Hah ha, I like your creativity on the install of the engine! The old saying ' there's more than one way to skin a cat ".

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Roy - Yeah, if I would have had 3 helpers, we could have wrassled it into place, but since it's just me, I had to get creative! Thanks, Scott

[@oldrifter]

oh man, justbinge watched every episode on Brutus to this point, I love your pesentation and detail. ill never restore a truck but its fascinating to watch. cant wait for next episode when you get it started :)

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Welcome aboard, Ol Drifter! Glad you like the content; more is on the way!!!! Scott

[@ELDIABLO444]

I hope you got the pistons in right cause the valve depression's are supposed to be to the outside ?? To line up with the valves. And putting the water outlet on before the passenger side head allows you to torque the two bolts. The bottom bolt is harder to get to once the heads on. ALL THE BEST SIR.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

The pistons are installed correctly. Good point on the water outlet. Thanks

[@chuckfowler4754]

Keep the videos coming you’re doing great👍. I enjoy the videos and progress. Cant wait to hear it fire 👍

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks, Chuck! Hope to be making noise soon! Scott

[@pingwuan_works]

Another great one! Really makes me want to get my old 84 going proper. Thanks for the upload!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks, Pingwuan! No time like the present to get going on your truck! Scott

[@millerbrob]

Hi Scott - hard to believe, but after a long period of 4x4 conversion, chassis prep and part accumulation, I am at about the same stage of my 7.3 IDIT crew cab project. Dropping heads on to studs any day now! I could not imagine stumbling across thorough and instructional footage such as yours, nevermind that which filmed at nearly the same time. I am almost glad it took me a while to get to this point lol. Some of these parts are a chore to find today as you know... was that a new valley pan?! Does it also seal around the intake openings in the head?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Rob - valley pans are back on the market brand new. It does have sealant around the intake ports. Glad you found the videos helpful! Thanks, Scott

[@brandonsilvay4822]

Exactly what you're doing by hooking up another vehicle to the truck to pull it under the engine is what I have to do every time I do any type of engine work that involves pulling or put installing the engine because my yard I don't have concrete I work on people's cars and when my tow trucks go down they all run 73 Idis or 69 IDI downside is unlike you I can't get my radiator front clip out because they are so rusted in so I have to lift it over the radiator support

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Good to hear. Thanks for the input! Scott

[@jasondupuis430]

Cool project.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks, Jason! I think so too!

[@sergiodelatorre3244]

Love your videos can’t wait to see it all don. Any aftermarket wheels???

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

I was going with stock wheels on this build.

[@jsmolens54]

Which engine stand have you been using? I've been following along with a lot of your videos and just picked up a 7.3 idi that I wanna rebuild. Thanks for all the great content and step by step videos!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

I got a 1500 pound engine stand and I'm glad I did! You don't want to put an IDI on something that's built for a small block Chevy! I got it at Amazon - $160 or so - Big Red T26801. You could step up from there and get a 1 ton model, but the 1500 pound capacity is sufficient. Good luck with it! Scott

[@stewarthousehold]

I'm removing my 6.9 this week. I'm adding ARP head studs and replacing gaskets. I'm not going all in like you have done. But I'd love to get 15psi. This will be an awesome guide for me. Besides head studs, is there something you'd feel is a must add? I think I'll pull the trigger on the R&D injectors at a later date. I've gone the way of the Banks Sidewinder Turbo (Wastegated) including pyrometer and exhaust. My block has 86k original miles, it has no issues that I'm aware of. Curious if you'd swap anything else while I have it out. BTW, I'm also swapping the T-19 tranny for a zf5-47, upgraded flywheel and clutch and moving the old Gearvendors from my current setup to the new driveline.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

86k mile engine should be in pretty good shape. I'd dingleball hone the cylinders, new rings and bearings, and head studs. If your budget can handle it, do the injection pump and injectors. Good luck with it! Scott

[@leezumwalt1163]

Love the series. I have a ‘91 with a Sidewinder that I’m refreshing. How difficult has it been to find parts? Were the ARP studs readily available?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Lee - Not terribly difficult to find parts, but I'm not in a big hurry, either. I buy my stock stuff from RockAuto.com, my high performance stuff from Justin at idiperformance.com and I also buy from Russ at russrepair.com. The head studs came from Justin at idiperformance.com. Thanks, Scott

[@oldsoulgarage2982]

Ok, I have to ask, where did you buy the new valley pan from? Those things are basically unobtanium right now. I've heard they have been on backorder for the past year and a half from research on the oil burner and FTE forum pages.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

The valley pans were actually available for several weeks recently and then went on backorder again. I got one while they were available. You may want to source a used one; that's what most folks are doing now. Good luck! Scott

[@maximumpower102]

this is great but did you regret not installing the turbo drain grommet in before installing intake manifold?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Not really. It wasn't that difficult to install after the fact. Thanks

[@simpleman4224]

Nice! 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks!

[@oldsoulgarage2982]

Did you ever change the freeze plugs in one of your videos during this build series?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

No, I did not. The engine that I used had good freeze plugs.

[@tryandtakealaska3797]

that was a baby brown snake was it not??/ thanks for sharing

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

It's actually a juvenile eastern garter snake, the official state snake of Virginia! Thanks

[@mlinderman7723]

watched the whole thing. You have kinda been with my on my turbo build. Over on oil burners. What turbo are you going with?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Justin at R&D IDI just dropped one of his turbos in the mail to me. I've been following his recipe for 250 hp and 550 ft/lbs at the rear wheels. Thanks, Scott

[@mlinderman7723]

Sweet. Is it the stage one or does he have some other behind the scenes turbos

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

@@mlinderman7723 It's the Stage 1.

[@user-pb9ew9wq1u]

Are those stage one injector’s

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Yes, Stage 1 from Justin at R&D IDI - idiperformance.com. Tell him Scott sent you! Thanks, Scott

[@MansoyHumilde777]

Hey man i need help with my build. I tore my engine down due to low compression on most of the cylinders. I found the piston rings were broken and found bits of rings in the oil pan 😂 so i just want to ask where did you get ypur rings? I understand turbo piston rings are keystone rings and i cant find them anywhere. Do you have a part # i can go by? Im seriously thinking of just parting out this motor if i cant find rebuild parts for it! Please help haha

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

If your rings were broken, your pistons and cylinder walls are likely damaged too. If so, you'll need a new set of pistons and your cylinders will need to be bored oversize. Sourcing rings and pistons isn't easy for this engine; I ended up buying some stuff at Rockauto.com but they were limited based on the brand and bore size. Best bet - check with the folks on the forums at oilburners.net - they have the best forum for IDIs. Also check with Justin at R&D IDI Performance - he sells parts and he's a machinist with a lot of IDI experience, too. Good luck! Scott

[@MansoyHumilde777]

@@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE you were right! They are all scratched up 😔 i will just try to find another good block since the chances of me finding oversized pistons are zero.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

@@MansoyHumilde777 - I'd stick with the block that you have. No guarantee that another block is going to be good. Oversize pistons seem to be easier to find than standard bore. Just keep it as small as you can; the 7.3 blocks are thin wall and can't handle something like a .040" overbore, even if you can find pistons for it. Good luck! Scott

[@carlashton9331]

Dyno pull in the future?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Carl - Probably not. Based on what Justin at R&D IDI is telling me, it should be 250 hp, 550 ft/lbs at the rear wheels.

[@nitomorales8740]

He dont put injector pump

[@nickygray4691]

Where did you get the valley pan gasket

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Bought it online. They were available when I built the engine.

[@nickygray4691]

@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE what website was it

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

@@nickygray4691 - I don't remember. That was a year or so ago.

[@boronin10]

You dont have ylto torque every bolt to specs. Mainly heads rods and mains. But ive been working on cars for years.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

When I build an engine, the torque wrench is always handy. Doesn't take much longer to do the job right. Thanks