t444e/ 7.3 powerstroke

T in NE · Apr 3, 2016

Been driving a 99 f250 around (company vehicle) and it's got me thinking of trading off the old Cummins or the amigo. But there's a few things I was wondering.

Do the valves need lashed or do they have hydraulic lifters?

And now I can't remember the other question.

I'm thinking regular or supercab, 4wd, 6 speed, 7.3. Any weak points to look out for on them?

mite-help · Apr 3, 2016

Unlike your older cummins, the powerstroke has roller/hyd. lifters & never need adjustment.

RBoots · Apr 3, 2016

Make sure there is no oil leaking around the turbo pedestal. Make sure there is no fuel in the engine valley, if there is, the transfer pump is bad and leaking out the weephole. If you take the fuel filter out and it is black and covered in engine oil, the injector o-rings are bad. These are all pretty basic repairs if they are bad, IF you have mechanical ability.

Ross

Dune Country · Apr 3, 2016

Bought a '99 ps new.
Has 210,000 mi and minimal maintenance.glow plugs, brakes etc.
Great truck.

495man · Apr 3, 2016

Have a 7.3 6-speed 4x4

Oil leaks are common, mainly annoying unless they are HPOP lines

Check oil pan for rust/leaks.....

Go with the NP271 manual lever transfer case, less issues than the NP273 Electric Shift On the Fly one. (vacuum lines and wiring)

The ZF6 is about as bullet proof and a manual trans ever offered in a pick up, has a trans cooler from factory.

mhmadboy · Apr 3, 2016

I got an early 99 f350 and have had no problems with it before I had an 01 f250 just ask if the cam senors were done on the truck another thing on the trucks is the fuel bowl leaks fuel in to the valley easy fix get an oring set off eBay and replace all the orings in the fuel bowl assembly also sometimes injectors go bad had went thriugh twelve of them in the 01 hope this was helpful

hd6gtom · Apr 3, 2016

T. check out the 1 you are going to buy carefully. My company used to maintain a fleet of 20+ for a construction company. We wound up hiring 1 man just to maintain them. Their drivers were not young cowboys, mid 30's up. We did a lot of injector wireing, turbo problems, torque converters, auto tranny's, brakes etc. They pulled skid loaders, dump trailers, and other general construction stuff daily. Motor oil was changed every 3500 miles, tranny's were flushed every 30000 miles. After I sold the company they went to Dodge and Duramax and cut their repair bills substantially. That was 10 years ago, I see they have purchased both Dodge and Duramax again over the past winter. Good luck with your decision.

RusselAZ · Apr 3, 2016

The 7.3 is a good engine. The clutch and pilot bearing on the early 6 speeds were a problem until you get a good luk clutch kit with the bulletproof pilot bearing.

Just keep in mind that everything about a 7.3 vehicle is getting a little long in the tooth, 13 years since the last one was built.

T in NE · Apr 3, 2016

I've got a 90 Cummins and a 90 Isuzu right now. What worries me most would be a 4x4 that's been beaten off-road. I found a supercab 6 speed last weekend, but being 2wd, it's of minimal utility except as a pavement pounder. Plus I'm in no hurry and in no position to do anything for a while here. The early super duties are a much nicer truck than the dodge of that age. Or mine. Mine could be nice but it needs a lot of work, 2wd, with an auto with no lock-up or OD. I've tried selling it, but everyone wants to buy the parts I have for it and be given the truck.

With the company vehicle, mine each run twice a week. Even if they ran daily, that's only 2 miles a day, tops, most days. Once I have some cattle it would pull a small stock trailer and if I'm lucky haul my super m out from Pennsylvania, and maybe to a few shows.

I've got some time here, and I wouldn't jump on the first one I found unless it was a cream puff.

t444e/ 7.3 powerstroke

T in NE

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mite-help

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RBoots

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Dune Country

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495man

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mhmadboy

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hd6gtom

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RusselAZ

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T in NE

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