Is My New 7.3 IDI Turbo Diesel Junk? Project Brutus, Ep. 3

We've got a new bullet for Brutus! This time it's a 7.3 IDI turbo diesel from a 1994 F350. It wasn't running, but it was at least turning over. Is this one JUNK? Follow along as I disassemble the engine and give it a full inspection!!!
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Thanks for watching!
Scott

[@pakkelly]

Late to the party but your Brutus playlist is fascinating, educational, and painful! Hopefully you will catch a break from all this carnage. If successful, you will truly be bringing this truck back from the dead.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Better late than never! Thanks, Scott

[@scottmcd5885]

My wife and I are watching this closely. My wife is wanting to sell her 98 gas suburban that's running to undertake the same project you are. She's done most of the work on her "beast" herself and is looking for a challenge. Good luck and can't wait to see the next episode

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Hi Scott - I've had several Suburbans, Yukons, and Blazers. What drivetrain does she have in the '98? I had a '97 K2500 with a 454 and then a '01 K2500 with the 8.1/502. Great trucks, but those big block Chevy's sure are fond of the gasoline! Thanks for the input! Scott

[@grndiesel]

IDI's give you the choice of two poisons. The 7.3's weakness is thinner cylinder walls. The 6.9's weakness is thinner head bolts. My opinion is that overall, a 6.9 rebuild is always going to be less risky. Head studs are cheaper and more reliable than cylinder sleeves.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

David - agreed. Too bad that you need to go to 9/16" studs on the 6.9 in order to be able to cut some threads into the block. From what I hear, that ends up getting into the spring seats and such. In a boosted application, I think you really do need the larger head studs, so maybe if I could find a low mile 7.3 that'll stay standard bore, I would be in good shape... Check out Episode 5 when it airs in a few days for more details!

[@ptspts9175]

Yikes! The PO dropped part of a glowplug in cyl3 and LEFT IT? Thats nuts! Looking forward to seeing the next episode and seeing what pans out: a 6.9 or 7.3. Hopefully the turbo bearings and balance are good and you wont have problems there.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Hey PTS PTS - next episode should be ready in the next 24-48 hours! As for what pans out with the engine situation, I don't want to give it away, but it rhymes with 7.3!!!

[@86F350]

Love this series!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks! I had a lot of fun doing the wrenching and filming it! Scott

[@2DE808]

Thanks for showing this, I have a 7.3 IDI non turbo in my 93 4x4 dually stake body firewood truck. A beast of a machine for sure. The knowledge you are sharing is priceless to the OBS Ford enthusiasts. I have always heard that using ether to start the truck will cause the glow plug tips to mushroom. then the tip gets stuck in the head when you take them out. I think there is a special puller to get the tip out, if it doesn't fall in.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Chris - On the glow plugs, I think the bigger issue is the brand that you use. Most folks will tell you that using non-Motorcraft glow plugs will end badly. Good luck with your firewood truck and thanks for the comment! Scott

[@rockharvey5787]

I bet I know why that bolt was snapped in the crank. A few years back LuK sent out a few batches of flywheel/clutch kits for ford ZF5 transmissions with the wrong torque specs in the instructions. The instructions called for something like double the correct torque for the flywheel bolts, and a bunch of people snapped the bolts trying to install them.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

no kidding? that makes sense. thanks for letting me know. Scott

[@-Oclock]

watched these a while back for fun, and here I am building a 6.9 idi lol.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Excellent! Hope yours isn't seized up like mine was!!!

[@-Oclock]

thankfully not!@@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE

[@rpetty]

Love the step by step here. I am looking for a 7.3 IDI and a project. Sounds like I am guaranteed to have a project :)

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Well, I had lots of adventures with mine; maybe you'll get lucky with yours. Thanks

[@traderz3399]

This series just got 1000 better with a 7.3

[@traderz3399]

Nevermind i said this before i watched the whole video😂

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

No worries!

[@64maxpower]

I think you make great videos and make working on old Ford junk look like fun. I'd like to make my natural 7.3 idi just reliable as can be. I like things simple. Like it was built in 1960s Russia.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

It doesn't get much simpler than an IDI.

[@stevenmchenry9276]

I have the same truck but I don't have the $ or the skills to do the rebuild you are doing. Great job budd.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

I can't help with the $ but the skills aren't that difficult to pick up! Good luck with your project! Scott

[@lyndentinkerer9914]

great video with clear explanations..... fun to watch, and very educational! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the videos of this truck!

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Hi Lynden - there are a lot more episodes posted to my channel! Check them out when you have a chance. Thanks for the comment, Scott

[@kman-mi7su]

Too bad with the motor. I own a 1988 F250 with a 7.3 IDI and I had to replace the motor in it. I bought a used non turbo motor out of Amish country from a farmer in Pennsylvania. I paid 500 bucks for the motor and hauled it back home to Northern VA where I live. It's in the truck for 2 years now and so far, so good. The only issues I've had is the passenger side rear core plug leaked but I was able to replace it without pulling the motor and the oil pan gasket is leaking. I'm hoping I don't have t pull the motor again to fix it. I'm thinking if I disconnect the tranny and pull it back some, I could raise the engine up enough to pull the pan out and install a gasket.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

$500 for a used motor isn't a bad deal, especially if it runs. Where are you in northern VA? I was living in Annandale during the week and in Locust Grove on the weekends when I was working on Brutus. Scott

[@olivialoupe1156]

Nice 7.3 IDI! One of my favorite IDIs obviously

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Ha! Thanks for checking in, Olivia!

[@joshireson5457]

I had a white f350 7.3 powerstroke I named Brutus. Named my dog Brutus as well hahahaha

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

It's a good truck name and a good dog name, too!

[@stevenmchenry9276]

You are a great mechanic.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks for the compliment, Steven!

[@karlrussell6765]

You got off a little luckier than I do with those circlips. Even with the correct circlip pliers they usually go shooting off into outer space never to be seen again. I certainly couldn't do it one handed while running a camera. Good luck to you Scott.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Karl - I've had some practice! I rebuild chainsaws in my spare time, and these are a lot smaller and trickier! Scott

[@wesleemiller]

Great video

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks, Weslee!

[@arlenesouza8570]

We got together brother

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Thanks for the comment, Arlene.

[@rayscrafield2106]

You asked for comments so here is one. Why not put a Cummins 12 valve in it? I know. you want it pure Ford but I had to say something.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

I wanted to build an IDI and keep it all Ford/International. Thanks

[@calvinhill1564]

Hello very good, i own a 01 7.3 i change the injector cups and o rings on the injectors pulled out the glow plugs and tried to turn the motor and it barely turns, batteries and starter are good, what can i do to free the cylinder

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Calvin - KZbin really isn't a great place to diagnose problems, but I'd be worried about hydrolock. Any chance one of the cylinders filled with fuel? Anyway, I'd recommend signing up to the forums at oilburners.net and posting in the 6.9 / 7.3 IDI forum. Lots of good guys there. Good luck with it, Scott

[@calvinhill1564]

thank you i appreciate it

[@jackdaicole7595]

What are the best pistons I could use in a 6.9 idi. I'm after durability and longevity. This will be the last truck I own while I'm alive so I want to build it right

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Jack - no need to buy anything fancier than good quality OEM Mahle pistons. Good luck with your build, Scott

[@rickeymyers9382]

What’s all needed to bulletproof a 6.9 idi

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Rickey - Best thing you can do is to add head studs -- that's recommended if you're running a turbo. However, the 6.9 has 7/16" head bolts and the 7.3 has 1/2" head bolts, so most folks prefer to start with a 7.3 if they're doing a performance build.

[@afootfoil645]

So my EGT goes up to 1200 when climbing. Which I believe I am shaking hands with danger. What Would you say the problem is Iv heard its advanced or the fuel, exc...?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

1200 is too high. Lots of factors can cause high EGT's, but mainly due to your right foot and amount of fuel. If you hit 1200 when climbing, back off the throttle and drop a gear if you can.

[@michaelbenoit248]

Sounds like someone messed with the fuel screw on the injection pump, if the pump is stock it should never see that much fueling. They probably did it for extra power, & smoke. Turn the fuel screw back 2 flats. If your pump is stock, & still has the paint on the fuel screw bolts replace your air filter, lack of air can cause excessive EGT’s or make sure your cooling system is up to par. Autozone sells a universal gage with fittings that’ll thread into the hole where the sensor is above the drive side exhaust manifold, not behind the AC compressor.

[@mrmolasses5366]

@@michaelbenoit248 not true at all stock pump settings on a NA 7.3 idi can 100 percent reach 1200

[@jeremyhallam5392]

This was a repost.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Jeremy - I re-shot some of the footage to correct an error. Thanks

[@josevillegasromerodaniel5841]

WAltuh

[@steve-se1ms]

Are you interested in selling?

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Steve - the entire truck is for sale right now. I can't add a link, but it's a no reserve auction on that popular auction site. Scott

[@rpetty]

I looked for the auction, but maybe I didn’t hit the right auction site

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

@@rpetty - the auction ended a week or so ago. Thanks

[@texascottonfarmer]

I think you knew that truck was going to be a money pit when you picked it up . . . . given your level of OCD. Just sayin'.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Yep, the "might-as-wells" are sucking my wallet dry!