Life expectancy turbo and VP-44?

[Shelby Griggs]

One owner 2001.5, 20 years old and now at 315k. Thinking the turbo may be getting a little worn, going to have a shop check it out. I am also on the original VP-44, probably way on borrowed time, fuel pressure gauge early on to thank for that pretty sure. After a few OEM lift pumps put a DDRP on and it has worked for years, still drive with an eye on fuel pressure, haha. Pretty sure I have pretty high miles for the VP-44, but what is expected life on the turbos?

 

[BigPapa]

You should get many more miles on it. Oil maintenance, a good air cleaner, and not over-boosting it are the keys to a long service life.

Some side to side play is normal, as long as the wheels aren't contacting the housings. You don't want any in-and-out play. Only other tell-tale would be oil in the tube to the CAC.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Should of mentioned stock engine, regular maintenance with fleetguard filters only. Maybe worries about nothing, last LOF, it seemed the shaft had a bit more play, BUT not touching housing and spins smooth, so hoping just normal play.

 

[BigPapa]

I'd drive on.

 

[NIsaacs]

I would keep an eye on it, mine went 340k miles when I changed it out. I think I wanted a new one more than it was worn out It felt like it was a little too loose so I changed it out, then rebuilt it and installed it on my '91. I went with the K27 on the '01. It seems like a good, quick spooling turbo but didn't help my EGT's much.

If you are in doubt you might want to put a rebuild kit in it. Mine was used a lot harder than yours. 12 years with EZ and RV injectors then 5 years with an Edge Juice. So 17 years pushing 33 psi boost, a lot of miles. I used a Holset rebuild kit @ about $80.

 

[GAmes]

Don't fix what ain't broke. My HX-35 is approaching 500k. I have been hoarding a new injection pump for the day the original wears out. Not a VP-44 but I think you get the drift.

 

[BigPapa]

I have been hoarding a new injection pump for the day the original wears out.

I've got a virgin 125K mile 175 pump under my desk. My pump has 550K on it.

I'm running an HE351CW I bought from a fellow on here 10 years ago. I had put a Sled Puller 66 on mine and sold my HX35. Then I sold the 66 and the big injectors and needed a "stock" turbo. The fellow had replaced the HE351CW because he thought it was worn out. It was dis-assembled when I got it. I had the WG port enlarged, rigged up a spring on the WG arm, put it back together, and slapped it on. Been going strong for me for the past 225K miles.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

@NIsaacs and there must be a need for bread during the rebuild ?

 

[NIsaacs]

@NIsaacs and there must be a need for bread during the rebuild ?

Yes, as you can see I am a messy Marvin with my work bench. The old bread is for my birds, I feed them or my piggy