F250 motor swap, 7.3 diesel

[Jim Timber]

I'll max out around 12k off the bumper (new hitch is coming), so hopefully I'm not blowing the slush box. I'd love to put a 5sp Allison in there.

 

[farm boy00]

I don't tow at all with my 01. The juice tranny of that vintage is chit imho. I put a new one in every July for the first 3-4 years of owning it (warranty work). But then I was towing a 18k manlift on a goosneck also, not everyday, but maybe once or twice a month. Now hauling in the bed, it didn't seem to matter. I (daily) had 3500#+ of building material loads.
The motor, (and the rest of the truck) flawless!

Did you just have the tranny rebuilt? ? Or a used one put in. We put shift kits in ours when we have them rebuilt. My mom's truck has around 500,000 mi and the tranny is probably the only good part of the truck. And we get them rebuilt for around $1200-2000

 

[TSO]

You guys are crazy! Ditch that 7.3 and throw a 6.0L in there. You'll never have to worry about the rusting oil pan again! Of course instead, you'll have to dump the EGR, replace the oil cooler, replace an occasional IPR valve/screen, replace your HPOP, replace the cracked Y-pipe... Oh and of course, lift the cab to replace the head gasket and head bolts...

LOL I'm kidding of course, I'd much rather have a modded 7.3 than this 6.0 ... But trying to find a good F450 Loaded up with no rust, with a 7.3, was all but impossible.

I'll be tagging along with the thread too... Looks like you'll have a great runner when you're done.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Jim, glad you joined the 7.3 club... feel free to ask me anything about them, I have a little experience with them and alot of pictures to share...

Otherwise... this may take a while... been sitting for almost a year as it is, and likely be end of summer before I wrap it up. Too many things going on to devote much time to it... I had to replace the fuel bowl drain valve orings on the Excursion earlier today... hoping that stops a fuel smell we've been noticing, valley has a mix of fuel and oil in it. Can't tell where from.

 

[SirReal63]

I love these little projects, they take whatever time they take. Other than the turbo, none of what you are doing will help me with my old 7.3's because they only share displacement with yours, but I still enjoy seeing it done.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Jack, what your 7.3 does share, is the DB2 injector pump... with my ol mud truck, with 6.2 IDI diesel... I was a fan of diesel long before I got my powerstrokes.

 

[Rustyiron]

Did you just have the tranny rebuilt? ? Or a used one put in. We put shift kits in ours when we have them rebuilt. My mom's truck has around 500,000 mi and the tranny is probably the only good part of the truck. And we get them rebuilt for around $1200-2000

This was when the truck was new and under warranty so Ford did it. I had ordered it with the pto in the a/t and I think that made them rebuild it rather than pull one off the shelf. Every 4 of July for the first 3 years, it was in the dealers shop.

 

[dieselcrawler]

The 4R100's that came behind the 7.3's are a known weak link... I got my dually at 143k, by 150k, trans was toast. Rebuilt then, at 225k now, doing ok.

 

[SirReal63]

Jack, what your 7.3 does share, is the DB2 injector pump... with my ol mud truck, with 6.2 IDI diesel... I was a fan of diesel long before I got my powerstrokes.

I understand the rods are also very close, close enough that a little machining allows them to be used, as they are stronger than the original IDI ones. I spent close to a year in the search for my truck, and I ended up finding one about 20 miles away that lived its whole life in my area. I had originally wanted a 2001 or 2002 CC LB 4WD but they command too high of a price here. I did find a 2003 with a bulletproofed 6.0 that I regret not buying, the engine was done right but the rest of the truck was near dead. What I decided on for the year long search was a 94 turbo IDI, CC LWB, 4WD, 5 speed. I found a bunch, all overpriced and wore out, rusted out, trashed out and most worth maybe half of what the asking price was.

I lucked out and found exactly what I wanted, nicely equipped with captains chairs and a good service history. High miles at 394k but you would never know it driving it. My favorite thing is no computer chips anywhere on it, all mechanical and there are some things I want to do to it, upgrade the turbo and exhaust and correct the fuel tank issues, pretty easy stuff. I just got a Facet/Duralift pump to eliminate the mechanical lift pump and new shower heads for the tanks. I also plan in a 38 gallon rear tank and changing the 4:10 gears to 3:55's.

I am a Chevy man but I have a love for these old Ford Diesels. I dislike any of the newer ones.

 

[Green Power]

Just bought my own 7.3L yesterday and it's all new to me (second diesel after tractor).

241kmi.

Welcome to the club. We have one that i havent mentioned, Were you able to find a rust-free pickup?