Some questions about a 1997 F350 4x4 SRW Powerstroke

timswi · Mar 28, 2012

Personally, I wouldn't replace anything until it's needed...Some of the things you mentioned may have already been replaced..Why spend the money (I'm talking u-joints and suspension).

I would certainly go over all of the fluids though...General good practice on a used vehicle..

Sounds like a driveway plower to me...Every "for hire" truck I've seen has evidence everywhere.

ljohnson778 · Mar 28, 2012

Besides the aforementioned oil pan and glow plug issues, only real trouble I had with mine(2001) was the HPOP, high pressure oil pump. It can cause hard/no start when bad.

Soundguy · Mar 28, 2012

aside from what else has been mentioned, hit a store and have a spare CPS sensor and a 10mm wrench in the glove box. I have one in both of my 99 7.3's as insurance aainst needing to use them. actually bought a china stre wrench and taped it to the box and tossed in t he glove box..

Lt CHEG · Mar 28, 2012

timswi said:
Personally, I wouldn't replace anything until it's needed...Some of the things you mentioned may have already been replaced..Why spend the money (I'm talking u-joints and suspension).

I would certainly go over all of the fluids though...General good practice on a used vehicle..

Sounds like a driveway plower to me...Every "for hire" truck I've seen has evidence everywhere.

I will probably see how the truck drives on the way home before purchasing u-joints for the truck. If it seems pretty decent on the longer drive to my house than I was able to drive it to test it out then I'll probably just leave the u-joints. It definitely needs ball joints though. They were noticeably bad on the test drive, and there's a bunch of play in them. The current owner (an auto mechanic by the way) said that he replaced the lower ball joints I believe, but the lowers are cheap enough that I'll just replace them both to be sure. Good u-joints are expensive enough that I'll likely keep the current ones if they seem okay. I'm also thinking of going with Moog ball joints from Rock Auto instead of the heavy duty NAPA's. They seem to be very good quality and also carry a lifetime warranty and they are half the price of the top of the line NAPA's. I've heard that MOOG makes good stuff, anyone have any negative opinions of them?

As far as the CPS, I'll definitely pick one of those up to have as a spare. I won't drive a truck much farther than around the block without some basic hand tools so keeping a 10mm wrench in the truck won't be a problem. Any other gremlins to worry about? I know that this generation of F350 isn't built as stout as the current generation, but everything still looks to be pretty well built and I'm guessing it should handle a 13,000 pound GVWR trailer about as well as my current 2500HD. I'm glad to hear you chime in as well Soundguy, as I know you're a big fan of the 7.3 Powerstroke.

timswi · Mar 28, 2012

Lt CHEG said:
I will probably see how the truck drives on the way home before purchasing u-joints for the truck. If it seems pretty decent on the longer drive to my house than I was able to drive it to test it out then I'll probably just leave the u-joints. It definitely needs ball joints though. They were noticeably bad on the test drive, and there's a bunch of play in them. The current owner (an auto mechanic by the way) said that he replaced the lower ball joints I believe, but the lowers are cheap enough that I'll just replace them both to be sure. Good u-joints are expensive enough that I'll likely keep the current ones if they seem okay. I'm also thinking of going with Moog ball joints from Rock Auto instead of the heavy duty NAPA's. They seem to be very good quality and also carry a lifetime warranty and they are half the price of the top of the line NAPA's. I've heard that MOOG makes good stuff, anyone have any negative opinions of them?

As far as the CPS, I'll definitely pick one of those up to have as a spare. I won't drive a truck much farther than around the block without some basic hand tools so keeping a 10mm wrench in the truck won't be a problem. Any other gremlins to worry about? I know that this generation of F350 isn't built as stout as the current generation, but everything still looks to be pretty well built and I'm guessing it should handle a 13,000 pound GVWR trailer about as well as my current 2500HD. I'm glad to hear you chime in as well Soundguy, as I know you're a big fan of the 7.3 Powerstroke.

Cool..Seems you know far more about the truck than you let on....Moog does make good stuff......Carry on and good luck!!! Congrats.:drink:

Remember the TBN rule:...Without pictures, it never happened.

Lt CHEG · Mar 28, 2012

timswi said:
Cool..Seems you know far more about the truck than you let on....Moog does make good stuff......Carry on and good luck!!! Congrats.:drink:

Remember the TBN rule:...Without pictures, it never happened.

I can't go letting out all of my secrets. I haven't been able to pick the truck up yet and I don't want someone snatching it away from me.

We had a verbal deal over the phone, but I don't want to take any chances. When I fill everyone in on the price, I'm hoping that everyone will see why.

timswi · Mar 28, 2012

Me too!!!

JJZ 109 · Mar 29, 2012

I'd take a look at the cooling system as well. I bought my low mileage '97 F Super Duty 7.3 last summer out of PA.
While I've had no issues other than a bad vacuum pump, I did discover that it was full of orange antifreeze, probably DexCool type stuff. Not what it needed. So I flushed the system and used the proper coolant, pre charged with SCA from Tractor Supply. NAPA also carries an SCA supplement to add to coolant if it isn't at the right level. You'll need test strips to determine that.
The thermostat housings are known to be flimsy and a common leak point. Those can be had from NAPA. I also bought a stainless steel reinforcing ring for the housing from a guy on ebay. So far, so good with that setup.
I don't rack up tons of miles on this truck, as it's used seasonally for my seamless gutter biz. But just to save a little money I stocked up on some oil and fuel filters. I found some good spots online to buy them reasonably. I'd be glad to pass them along if anyone is interested.

Morning Wood · Mar 29, 2012

You need to run a coolant additive in that truck or the coolant will eat the block. The additive is available from ford. No one has mentioned the dual mass flywheel. If it goes you are looking at some serious money to replace it. Go with a aftermarket single mass flywheel. Way better. Truck that old, brake lines, fuel lines all probably gonna be shot or close to it. I had a 96 psd and the rust got the better of it. The engine takes 14 quarts of oil so beware.