Welllll...no luck upon rebuild. I got the rockers replaced, ARP's installed and decided to put it back together to test fire it. It runs identically to how it did before the rebuild (see video). I didn't have the injectors checked yet, the shop I thought could maybe do it, does not. I have a lead on another shop that might. So, I guess I'm going to focus my efforts on that for now. My instinct is telling me that the next most likely culprit is trashed valves. Thoughts? I just read a post about checking the valves with a straight edge to see if they are obviously bent, just wish I had known that when I had it apart. I also read some posts on leakdown testing, but it seemed like that was a little more advanced and required more equipment than I am willing to own. I really don't want to take the dang head off of this thing! A failed closed injector makes sense, since there is no smoke from the exhaust while it is running. Seems like bad valves would be more likely to cause smoke issues? Anyway, here is my plan of attack.
1: Self-check injectors by unplugging while running (quickly)
2: Self check injectors using the "clear tubing" method to check consumption
3: Self check MPROP (?) by checking fuel return bridge output during cranking/running (not sure about this method, need to research more)
4: Have injectors checked professionally depending on results of above tests
5: Check valves from top side while injectors are being checked and proceed accordingly
6: Profit
The head on my borescope from HF doesn't fit into the injector bore on the head, so I can inspect the pistons. I may have to find someone with a smaller one to check things out. Any other bright ideas floating around out there (beside sell it and get a REAL diesel)? haha
https://www.dropbox.com/s/58bo0g5yqlzecu9/UZVJ1229.MOV?dl=0