1997 F450

[Soundguy]

for regular temp ranges outside of arctic and desert, 15w40 C rated oil for a diesel.

In a gasser, I'd use cheap diesel oil. in a diesel.. well.. I'd use better than cheap..

I run 15w40 motorcraft powerstroke diesel oil in my 6.0psd, as that is all I can get work to chip in for.. had I not begged for that it would have gotten parts store brand 15w40.. which would make it run.. but.

That motorcraft PSD oil wil be fine for the 7.3psd, however on my 2 7.3's I personally chipped in for valvoline ultra premium full synthetic blue 5w40 C rated diesel oil. more $$ but great cold weather starts ( no big deal in florida .. might be a bigger deal in NY ).. and it's an all around decent oil, especially if cummins endorses it IMHO.

I'll look in one of my owners manual when i get home.. but I wouldn't be surprised to find a 5000/ (3500/3000) change interval for light/severe use, with lots of idling being in the severe category. SYN oils could get you a higher change limit, if you do the oil testing/UOA to make sure all is ok.. or do it once and pick some arbitrary limit based on the oil.. etc. my 6.0 uses 15qts oil. right off the top of my head I don't recall what the 7.3 takes.

soundguy

 

[grsthegreat]

Back in the day 25+ years ago I used to drive tractor trailer and dump truck for a blacktop outfit, so I've driven the big diesels. But I never had to maintain them other than checking the oil every morning.
I've got no manuals for this 7.3 so I was wondering what the service intervals are and what I should be using for oil. I'm no diesel mechanic so I'd probably only be doing the basics like oil changes and probably fuel filters when needed.
Any sources for this info?

not sure on the older diesels, but ford sent me paperwork on my late model 2004/2005 series that it has a recommended interval for oil change of 7,500 miles. I use standard 15w40 that ford recommends and do the oil changes at ford dealership. The truck is only used for towing horse trailer, so 7,500 miles takes some time.....

 

[HarryVanderpool]

I have a 99 F-450 , 7.3L with 212000 on the clock.
I try to never to run sustained RPM over 2000. That equals 55 mph which is fast enough for me; where's the fire?!!

Also it is critical to learn about the special coolant procedures.
Don't just dump any old thing in the cooling system or you can ruin a very good engine.

Your motor oil powers the injectors. Clean oil will always serve you well.
I change mine at 4000 miles.

If I were you, buying this rig used, I would give it a thorough maintenance.
I would go over it with a fine tooth comb and set it up to last.
Many people are very careless about maint.

 

[Soundguy]

I try to never to run sustained RPM over 2000. That equals 55 mph which is fast enough for me; where's the fire?!!

wow.. I'd never get anywhere if i never ran over 2000rpm on my f450.. that 4.88 rear makes it wind high.. which is why I use the valvolene full synthetic ultra premium blue 5w40 oil.

I also use the proper sca/dca coolant addative to make the green stuff play nice with the metal..

soundguy

 

[downslope]

In a gasser, I'd use cheap diesel oil. .. well.. I'd use better than cheap..
....
soundguy

I often see it recommemded on this site to run the 15W-40 diesel oils in gas engines. Is this really a good idea? The S (spark) ratings on the diesel oils seems to always be lower than for the current oils made only for gassers.

I believe the highest current rating is SN, but on Rotella, for example it will be SM. New Holland Ambra 15W-40 doesnt even show a rating for spark engines on the container.

So other than convenience I don't see why anyone would want to do this. Personally I would never consider putting something like Rotella or Delvac (even the synthetics) in a newer gas truck or even an older gas tractor that's in good shape. I'm sure the additive packages are quite different for the two types of oils.

 

[Soundguy]

yes they are.. the add packs are BETTER in the c rated oils.

stuff that has been removed from s rated oils. can still be found in c rated oils.. like ZDDP level.. your cam and tappets will thank you.

besides.. 15w40 is a great viscosity range.

as for oil ratings? hmm.. the diesel oils I use all meet SM at least. havn't seen any SN.. nor do i own a gasser that would specify sN. All my gassers are at least 10-70ys old.. as long as I am using an S rating that exceeds what they call for then I'm good to go.

I don't use the ambra oil so can't comment on it.

Any diesel oil I use in a gasser carries a S rating superior to the S rating needed by the engine.

If you look at it.. what i'm calling a diesel oil.. is really just a dual rated oil.. S and C rating.

soundguy

 

[not2old]

I found this online a few minutes ago, maybe it will help.

F-150: 1/2 ton (6,100 lb GVWR max)
F-250: 3/4 ton (8,100 lb GVWR max)
F-250 HD: 1992?997 Heavy Duty 3/4 ton (8,800 GVWR max)
F-350: 1 ton (10,000 lb GVWR max)
F-Super Duty: 1 ton plus (15,000 lb GVWR max)

My 1990 supercab is an F250HD and is 8800lbs.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

wow.. I'd never get anywhere if i never ran over 2000rpm on my f450.. that 4.88 rear makes it wind high..

Why, sure you would, Soundguy. You would get exactly 55 miles in each hour.
Your gas mileage increases, engine will last longer, and your blood pressure will stay on target.

And re-read my post.

I did not say that I never run over 2000. I said that I TRY to not run SUSTAINED revs over 2000.

When I pull grades I will allow 2500rpm just so not to impede traffic.

The 7.3 sweet spot is 1850rpm and engine oiling efficiency peaks around 2000.
55 Stay alive. :thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

Your gas mileage increases,

my 'gas' milage on a PSD is exactly 0

engine will last longer,

it will / should outlast the drivetrain and rest of the truck as it is, turning 2750.. i use good quality full synthetic oil all around.. drivetrain, gear boxes.. PS.. etc.. only the premium stuff for that truck, especially since I run it near the edge..

and your blood pressure will stay on target.

mines fine, I check it daily...and I kinda think it MIGHT go HIGHER trying to drive 55 on the interstate and having every other vehicle on the interstate slug up behind me and zoom around either side and try to pass me, perhaps unsafely. As I've stated many times... my f450 is for long hauls out of state usually, to fetch tractors. that entails interstate driving.. or other limited access roadways where there are higher than 55mph zones...

I did not say that I never run over 2000. I said that I TRY to not run SUSTAINED revs over 2000.

That vehicle pretty much ONLY see's sustained rpms.. and unless stopping or starting or pulling off the I... it's 72mph and 2750 rpm...

When I pull grades I will allow 2500rpm just so not to impede traffic.

At 2500 rpm.. I'd still be impeding interstate traffic big time.

The 7.3 sweet spot is 1850rpm and engine oiling efficiency peaks around 2000.
55 Stay alive. :thumbsup:

55 / stay alive don't apply when flow of traffic is 65-75 ( or higher ) going too slow on a hi speed freeway will INVITE dangers and risk...

soundguy

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Well thank heaven I live in God's country which is Oregon.
Our speed signs clearly say: Speed 65, Trucks 55.
You can just grind your equipment into filings if you chose.
Your responses indicate that you are pressured into your speed level.

>>>55 / stay alive don't apply when flow of traffic is 65-75 ( or higher ) going too slow on a hi speed freeway will INVITE dangers and risk...<<<

Sounds to me like you are living in hel.

55 is what the right lane is for.

Or are you trying to feed me is that the slow lane speed in hel is 65?