i would read the post here about what to look for when buying a 7.3 idi but i have seen cavitation issues in motors with 100,000 miles on it and yet mine with nearly 250,000 on it had none but key is reading that post

 

I hear ya .. been mechanic for nearly 20 years on Diesels .... I personally have never seen this happen ... I herd it was most common on the 6.9's and also the block heater cracking the block also .... it was just a bad deal all around ... never seen a 7.3 IDI that actually blew it out ... seen a few others do it ....

Dortiz did a great write up though .... good job ..... my best student ...LOL..

 

Gave me a good laugh haha, but as far as accessibility, on the vans the IP is placed against the firewall, but I haven't worked on the van engines, doesn't look like it would be to much harder. With a little practice, you can have your pump off and back on with in 28 minutes (I put my new one on, only to have to take it all off since I forgot the seal on the shaft then forgot it AGAIN once I put it back cause I was distracted hahah)

 

The nice thing about cavitation is that if it hasn't happened yet, you can prevent it by getting the proper coolant/SCA mixture in it.