Low mileage ebay engine ??
 

OK, I decided that rather than completely rebuilding my 7.3, I would just purchase a "low" mileage engine off ebay. I chose a large diesel specialist recycler and found one with only 142K. However it was in BC, Canada, fine I can wait....

Well it got here and after unpacking, attaching to my engine stand, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning I began to strip it. I have found several things that make me doubt the seller's mileage claim and need opinions. I do have in writing that the compression's were: "All of them were within 5lb or 2%. Range low 380 and high 385". Unfortunately, it was too difficult to rig a starter to my engine stand and test those numbers before I actually get it into my F250 XLT (and then it's too late [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img] ) So here are the things on this engine that don't make sense for a 2002 with only 142K.

First, the amount and depth of rust. I don't know what they put on their roads in BC but this is MUCH worse than my '99 with 250K!! Here are just a few examples...
Oil pan
https://www.powerstroke.org/cdn-cgi/...an-jpg.767789/

Exhaust manifold (really deep pitting)
https://www.powerstroke.org/cdn-cgi/...ld-jpg.767790/

Oil cooler (thought these were SS?)
https://www.powerstroke.org/cdn-cgi/...er-jpg.767791/


Then when I got to the HPOP, I see that it is a reman? Is this reasonable for a 7.3 with only 142K?
https://www.powerstroke.org/cdn-cgi/...op-jpg.767792/


Any and all opinions are welcome. Well other than, "you should have purchased a long block from ..." I checked into that route and it was beyond my budget.

Thanks from an old female mechanic (career as computer analyst, NASA and Siemens) on her first diesel adventure.