Who’s still using a 7.3 diesel truck
Who’s still using a 7.3 diesel for there TC? How long have you had it? What TC do you have? What’s are some of the must haves to keep it chugging along happily with TC on top? Cheers
Forum Discussion
I will post my experiences with the 7.3 diesel ford. This is simply my 2 cents worth, I will not agree or disagree with anyone's prior comments. I will consider the OP's question as referring to the 7.3 engine it's self rather than the entire truck. I consider the alternator,belts,filters,hoses,starter,water and fuel pump, clutch disc,glow plugs and so on as engine accessories that require regular scheduled and occasional maintenance of wear items that would likely need done to any engine.
I have owned 3 of them.
The first was a 1987 F-350(7.3) with a manual trans. Hauled an old starcraft slide in camper thru all 49 states and most of canada. In 1993 truck was repurposed to use as a work truck when I started a business,installed a dump bed and was used as a heavy hauler in a delivery service. At 200k injector pump leaked fuel, replaced a seal my self 35 dollars. At 275k using excessive oil, engine rebore and new pistons/rings.All crank,camshaft,valves,and injectors still in factory specs and not serviced at that time. Truck sold at 496k in 1999 to my nephew who still drives it occasionally. I did have a battery short out internally in a VERY remote location one night. drained All energy from both batteries,not even the oil or amp light would come on. Manually closed the kill solenoid in the injector pump and roll started the truck.No electrical accessories lights but The simplicity of no onboard computer systems saved a very long walk. In the event of an EMP these old trucks could be the only thing running.
2nd truck with a 7.3, a 2000, 4x4, ford excursion. still drive it daily. 270k on the clock,never a wrench on the motor except for one CPS sensor under factory warranty. A glow plug controller,109 dollars about 230k. 15-16 mpg every time around town. Would not even consider selling it.
3rd truck, with a 7.3, a 2001 F-550 4x4, 6 speed. heavy,heavy hauler,18-20,000 GVW used daily in a delivery type service in mountainous terrain. 390k on the clock, truck has an hour meter on it with over 18,000 hours on it. Driven many hours in the lower gears at subdivision speeds. Do service on the truck by the hour meter not the odometer. Only problems with the engine, turbo pedestal o-ring leak fixed under warranty. Replaced full set of injectors at about 275k (about 13000 hours). Changed them myself 2200 dollars. Got some contaminated fuel I believe is what caused it. Also a set of new glow plugs at the same time. The EGR valve does rattle a bit, sets off a code. just needs taking off and thrown away. Engine does now need a quart of oil added every 50 hours or so where it did not use hardly any before.
I have never had any problems with oil-cooler leaks, coolant tanks, major oil leaks or cooling issues (oh, once I had a thermostat stick open and the engine would not warm up enough),injector o-rings or valve cover gasket wiring harnesses as others have mentioned.I did have the fuel in tank filter clog once because the new biofuel dissolved the crud, not Fords fault.
My overall 2 cents worth,they will not win any races, may be a little less fuel efficient but they are as dependable as any other truck, and maybe even a little more so. Besides insurance,taxes,and parts cost less than newer trucks and mine are PAID FOR.
I have owned 3 of them.
The first was a 1987 F-350(7.3) with a manual trans. Hauled an old starcraft slide in camper thru all 49 states and most of canada. In 1993 truck was repurposed to use as a work truck when I started a business,installed a dump bed and was used as a heavy hauler in a delivery service. At 200k injector pump leaked fuel, replaced a seal my self 35 dollars. At 275k using excessive oil, engine rebore and new pistons/rings.All crank,camshaft,valves,and injectors still in factory specs and not serviced at that time. Truck sold at 496k in 1999 to my nephew who still drives it occasionally. I did have a battery short out internally in a VERY remote location one night. drained All energy from both batteries,not even the oil or amp light would come on. Manually closed the kill solenoid in the injector pump and roll started the truck.No electrical accessories lights but The simplicity of no onboard computer systems saved a very long walk. In the event of an EMP these old trucks could be the only thing running.
2nd truck with a 7.3, a 2000, 4x4, ford excursion. still drive it daily. 270k on the clock,never a wrench on the motor except for one CPS sensor under factory warranty. A glow plug controller,109 dollars about 230k. 15-16 mpg every time around town. Would not even consider selling it.
3rd truck, with a 7.3, a 2001 F-550 4x4, 6 speed. heavy,heavy hauler,18-20,000 GVW used daily in a delivery type service in mountainous terrain. 390k on the clock, truck has an hour meter on it with over 18,000 hours on it. Driven many hours in the lower gears at subdivision speeds. Do service on the truck by the hour meter not the odometer. Only problems with the engine, turbo pedestal o-ring leak fixed under warranty. Replaced full set of injectors at about 275k (about 13000 hours). Changed them myself 2200 dollars. Got some contaminated fuel I believe is what caused it. Also a set of new glow plugs at the same time. The EGR valve does rattle a bit, sets off a code. just needs taking off and thrown away. Engine does now need a quart of oil added every 50 hours or so where it did not use hardly any before.
I have never had any problems with oil-cooler leaks, coolant tanks, major oil leaks or cooling issues (oh, once I had a thermostat stick open and the engine would not warm up enough),injector o-rings or valve cover gasket wiring harnesses as others have mentioned.I did have the fuel in tank filter clog once because the new biofuel dissolved the crud, not Fords fault.
My overall 2 cents worth,they will not win any races, may be a little less fuel efficient but they are as dependable as any other truck, and maybe even a little more so. Besides insurance,taxes,and parts cost less than newer trucks and mine are PAID FOR.
