Meant to start posting this earlier - but got too involved with work and waiting in parts, etc. So this is a bit of a read.. 
Original setup was standard bolt on stuff, with a popular 2009-era tunes and a 38R. During time of ownership I managed to toast the original 4R100 and swapped it for a John Wood tow master unit :rockon:
Moved decent for what it was. I tow about 13k several times a year, always watched EGTs. And it was the wife's DD.
So the infamous indestructible 7.3 motor failed. 7 cracked pistons and 1 with a hole. Wife was driving at the time in a bit of a hurry on the famous 80E tuneoke: IDK if it was a combination of old oil, cold temps, and lead foot (on tunes - causes way too much advance from what I've read) or if it was a gradual build up and just decided to let go. Either way - big disappointment.
Now I am faced with downtime and lots to think about.
Ended up sourcing a freshly machined block, heads, forged rods, ARP main and head stud kid. Was done by a reputable shop in the IE, Socal.
Went over everything with a micrometer and a T, checking the bore diameters. PO says all I need is a rebuild kit OE bore and I am good to go. Even had a mechanic friend w/20+ years experience assist. Checked out ok.
So I gather my wish list of parts. Found its cheaper to order from Riff Raff and pay shipping than it would be to pay sales tax in CA. :evil
Place an order for all kinds of goodies and waited. Decided somewhere along the way that I wanna be sure that everything was good so I had a reputable SoCal engine machine shop (L&R) have a look to align-hone the block, balance rotating assembly, and check bores again. Got block back and began assy when the main bearing clearances on 5 and 3 were a little big for my liking.Back to the machine shop with block and heads and asked them to assemble as I was getting impatient and wanted it done right. Got my mains a bit tighter in the "meat" of the spec, align honed again, and assembled. Prior to assembling the heads, I asked to have them mag'd. Turns out the heads have cracks in the exhaust seat area. I bring down my originals - same problem. Get 5 more sets from local wrecking yards. All of em have f*&^%$# cracked seats! I didn't want to do pressed in seats. Then I was referred via link on another forum to this site selling an immaculate set. Purchased the heads and had em shipped over to machine shop. Voila! Engine assembled (mainly). Now I am assembling all the bits and covers and checking torque, etc.
Believe it or not, that was the condensed version!
This is where I am now. Damn this thing is a pig to spin around on the stand:
Original setup was standard bolt on stuff, with a popular 2009-era tunes and a 38R. During time of ownership I managed to toast the original 4R100 and swapped it for a John Wood tow master unit :rockon:
Moved decent for what it was. I tow about 13k several times a year, always watched EGTs. And it was the wife's DD.
So the infamous indestructible 7.3 motor failed. 7 cracked pistons and 1 with a hole. Wife was driving at the time in a bit of a hurry on the famous 80E tune
oke: IDK if it was a combination of old oil, cold temps, and lead foot (on tunes - causes way too much advance from what I've read) or if it was a gradual build up and just decided to let go. Either way - big disappointment.Now I am faced with downtime and lots to think about.
Ended up sourcing a freshly machined block, heads, forged rods, ARP main and head stud kid. Was done by a reputable shop in the IE, Socal.
Went over everything with a micrometer and a T, checking the bore diameters. PO says all I need is a rebuild kit OE bore and I am good to go. Even had a mechanic friend w/20+ years experience assist. Checked out ok.
So I gather my wish list of parts. Found its cheaper to order from Riff Raff and pay shipping than it would be to pay sales tax in CA. :evil
Place an order for all kinds of goodies and waited. Decided somewhere along the way that I wanna be sure that everything was good so I had a reputable SoCal engine machine shop (L&R) have a look to align-hone the block, balance rotating assembly, and check bores again. Got block back and began assy when the main bearing clearances on 5 and 3 were a little big for my liking.Back to the machine shop with block and heads and asked them to assemble as I was getting impatient and wanted it done right. Got my mains a bit tighter in the "meat" of the spec, align honed again, and assembled. Prior to assembling the heads, I asked to have them mag'd. Turns out the heads have cracks in the exhaust seat area. I bring down my originals - same problem. Get 5 more sets from local wrecking yards. All of em have f*&^%$# cracked seats! I didn't want to do pressed in seats. Then I was referred via link on another forum to this site selling an immaculate set. Purchased the heads and had em shipped over to machine shop. Voila! Engine assembled (mainly). Now I am assembling all the bits and covers and checking torque, etc.
Believe it or not, that was the condensed version!
This is where I am now. Damn this thing is a pig to spin around on the stand:
