So I'm slowly waking my 91.5 w250 from it's 3 year nap. I think I've got the charging system working correctly, so I am finally comfortable enough to let it run to operating temp.
I was stabbing the throttle while in park, I'm getting some blue/white smoke from the exhaust. Next I slowly rolled the throttle open, I got to the spot where it sounded like it started spooling up, then it went down, up / down surging with the pedal in the same place.
I'm listening for the whine of the turbo, I don't hear what I expect. more of a judder than a whine. I looked in the turbo, checked the shaft play, it' real sloppy, also looks like blade / housing contact had happened. I'm thinking it's done for.
Iv'e also got a knock in # 1 cyl. loudest when I probe near where head/block meet. it seems to go away when I crack the injector open. could the engine have been damaged by a bad turbo?

I'm looking for suggestions on a replacement / rebuild for my (stock?) h1c/IC

I want this truck for a D/D , I'm not looking for a ton of power, just reliability and fuel economy.

Thank you in advance for your patience, I don't speak turbo, I can barely speak diesel.

This is my first, but I might already be in love

 

If the compressor wheel of the turbo has been rubbing on the housing then it is bad and needs rebuilt and most likely a new compressor wheel. It almost be worth it to find another used turbo and buy it rather than rebuilding it. Even one from a newer dodge would work and it would be a much better turbo. It sounds like you could have a bad injector or plugged injector if it is knocking. A leaky injector could damage the motor, but the turbo shouldn't have.

 

So if I pull the injector and swap it to another hole, the noise should follow it if it's malfunctioning ? I hope that's all it is.

-I am running 3+ year old fuel, I did add a bunch of additives, changed filter.

What model turbos should I search for that will work with minimal modification?

I wouldn't mind changing my exhaust to 4" -most of it needs changing anyway.

 

Your truck have the original turbo ? If so anything would be better.
All the 91.5 were the most underpowered cummins because they put the wrong turbos on them

Call these guys they can give you the scoop.

http://www.gdsdieselparts.com/

 

Yes try swapping the injector with another one and see if the noise follows it. Any turbo off of any newer dodge would be an upgrade. An hx35 off a 95-02 dodge would be a decent upgrade, an HE351cw off an 04.5-07 5.9 dodge is a really good upgrade and have a 4" exhaust outlet. They will mostly bolt right up with a few little modifications.