Things to check while engine is out

[RGramlow]

I am taking the engine adn trans out of a 93 250 pickup and installing it in a truck that I am working on. I am wondering what I should check on the engine while I have it out. The engine has 265,000 miles, I plan on checking the killer dowel pin, and putting rods and mains in, or atleast checking them. As far as I know it hasn't been bombed, I would like 225-250 horse power from this engine, is the injectors something a guy should look at replacing with some different ones right away? What other problem areas should a guy look into, I also plan on setting the valves and fixing any leaks before installing it in the truck. Thanks again

 

[JLEONARD]

If it were me I would replace the injectors, esp with that kind of mileage . . assuming the injectors have been in there that long.



Probably time for head work since it will be convenient... might also consider getting the inj pump freshened up with new seals and whatever else. New lift pump perhaps too? I would also do a new water pump, belt tensioner, and obviously a new belt.

When you're checking the dowel pin make sure you also check the other bolts that hold the timing case in place... some guys remove and loctite them. . that's your call.

I'd be interested to know what the bearings look like when you get that far... pics would be nice if you can do that. I'll be building up a marine engine from an 89 engine with 100K on it so I've thought about some of this stuff too.

 

[RGramlow]

When you say head work, are you talking about grind the valves and seats? I can surely take some pictures of the bearings when I get them out.

 

[dpuckett]

I know a guy who has a 90 that works for a Freightliner dealer. They put pallets of batteries in the bed and haul them from one store to another, and in general load the thing heavily on a weekly basis. WHen it hit 300K ,they disassembled it, and EVERYTHING was still well within spec FOR NEW!! I wouldnt worry about any of it til you had 3x that mileage unless you just feel the need to. I pulled the head on my old 91 and had cross hatches in the cylinders at 250K of hard pulling and a 50% turn up on the pump.



The pump and fuel system in general, yes, get it checked out. Head, maybe if you plan to BOMOB it excessively (205hp is not excessive). If it runs and sounds good, check the vlvves, new VC gaskets, front and rear main seals, cam plug, tappet cover gasket, and maybe pan gasket. I've driven several with 4-600K, and though they do sound different at idle after about 400K, they still run like scalded apes.



Daniel

 

[sdstriper]

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket you can follow JLEONARD's plan, I personally would not go that far but I don't have to worry about swimming home or waiting for the Coast Guard...



I would update the flywheel, reseal the injection pump and replace the belts and hoses. For what the water pump and lift pump cost I don't see that as wastefull even if they still work. Maybe valve stem seals and set the valves. Manual or automatic transimission?



You can gain 100 HP over stock without much investment at all. Dial in the linkages and turn it up a bit.

 

[RGramlow]

Alright, thanks alot, I was kind of thinking about checking over the whole engine for leaks. Do these B engines have problems with rear main seals starting to leak like the larger 8. 3 and 855 engines always did?

 

[HFletcher]

Once I pulled a piston from a well maintained 91 engine with 175,000 miles. I, too, was delighted to discover that the cylinders were still crosshatched, but the engine borer pointed out that the piston ring grooves were badly out of spec. He insisted I should do nothing if I wasn't also going to replace the pistons. Pistons are aluminum. Some food for thought.

 

[sdstriper]

Alright, thanks alot, I was kind of thinking about checking over the whole engine for leaks. Do these B engines have problems with rear main seals starting to leak like the larger 8. 3 and 855 engines always did?

I would put new front and rear main seals in it and you better address the KDP too. Also the cam has an expansion plug you may want replace since it is easier now than later, some have reported having it leak.