I love my 7.3. I've got 425k miles on it and it's time in my business it's grossed over a million dollars of revenue. So I call it my million dollar truck.
@@ruthlessreid9172 Just bought a 1997 with 131,100 miles. Never tuned, left all stock. As I too will be leaving it all stock. It was well taken care of by an elderly owner. It's amazing what happens when things are not beaten to death by the ultra tuner 5000HP mega MAX chips...
I love you guys. Quality. No bullshit quality. I'm happy to see that there are still people out there who care to rebuild these motors. I'm a certified Ford Technician and I left the industry because the dealerships around me just wont pay to treat customers right anymore. If I ever need my 6.0L motor rebuilt and can't do it myself, I GUARANTEE you I'll drag it all the way from Texas to Georgia so that you PROFESSIONALS can take care of it. I'd be honored to have yall take care of it. Keep doing what you're doing gentlemen.
@@dieselfuel9794 Do you know what the differences are between a 2002 and earlier? I just saw that 2002 and up they stopped using forged rods apparently. i am looking to buy a 2002 tomorrow but now I am not happy about this. People say that if you will add over 400 hp then the rods will break.
My 97 f350 has 233,000 mi on it and runs like a top. Its had a trailer behind it everyday of its life. Im very strict on maintenance with it cause I want it to last. Never let egts get over 1000. Now with the new 4" exhaust it doesnt even get that hot. Love powerstrokehelp!!!! Taught me 90% of what I know about these pickups! Thanks Bill, your vids have saved my ass and a few others too!
@@mdevidograndpacificlumbera1539 Exhaust Gas Temperature. If you chip or modify a 7.3, monitoring the exhaust gas temperature becomes very important, because the engine is being pushed beyond its metallurgical design capabilities.
As a mechanic I get a solid impression that this guy is a good mechanic. It would be an honor to work in the same shop. Great video with proper information.
Great video. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to listen to a master of his craft make a huge project seem like no big deal. I love the extreme attention to detail. I don’t own a 7.3, but if I did, I would take it to you for TLC.
Still a better deal to drop 7 grand in an old good truck than spend 40+ on a new one. It's insane what people pay for new vehicles just to satisfy their egos.
I need help with something my 95 psd feels like it stalls for a split second then keeps going like nothing happened I think it's oil pressure drops maybe an air pocket I'm clueless can you help me?
ReFracture a problem with these trucks is that they use the same truck for the gas, as they do the diesel, as far as I can tell. The engine outlasts everything. especially the doors, and transmission.
I own both a 7.3 (343k mikes) & 460 (189k). I've owned them forever and i take good care of them. Look at the sticker from the worlds largest seller of Ford trucks in the midwest (nobody pays near these crazy prices from them, they deal, BUT look at the prices anyways) www.woodhouse.com/search/vehicles?make_id=11&model_id=544
lucian kristov They last forever yes the engine itself but you have to replace everything else. Radiators, alternators, water pumps, wheel bearing, transmissions, injectors, and how every many other parts wear out after 150k
Man I tell you I'm not a powerstroke person never really have been or worked past a 7.3, but you telling it like it is and saying the real reasons of failure I can appreciate another respectable engine builder doing what you do! Keep up the good work!
this happened to our 7.3, we went to see it in the shop with the engine disassembled and the body up in the air and i took a picture of it too, but it was definitely worth fixing. Since then we have gotten a newer truck and this one has been given to me, I love it.
I'd much rather buy a 7.3L over the 6L or the 6.4L. It seems to be a lot safer of a engine and seems to be less problematic than the other 2 and I refuse to spend $60,000+ on a brand new truck.
I have a 6.0 now and I dont mind it. Have to California it out of the state now though. Also have a 7.3 idi that puts more torque to the ground than my 6.0
I would love to work with this man, i would soak up the information he spits out like a sponge. Its hard to come across someone who is so passionate about what they do, more so from a mechanic.
I have 1988 f 250 xl With 7.3 I love it. 343 000 kilometres Years ago I didn’t know any better an d used either several times. Glow plugs wear out quickly. It always concerns me to hear that I should not have done that But it still runs strong, good compression in all cylinders, all is well. Excellent video !!!!!!!! You are a true professional, I have learned some good things about the 7.3 Thank you
I'm about to pick up a '97 F-350 7.3 4x4 CCLB with 340k miles for $3,500. Runs flawlessly. I'm stoked af, but I guarantee at some point your videos will become my best friend. lol Idc, truck is totally worth putting money back into
Big fan, I'm a rookie in a fleet that faced out diesels and went back to chevy 6.0l gas. I did my first oil cooler, egr cooler, and high pressure pump. Took me a week to complete due to going back to parts to order more parts.
I just wanted to share this I have a 2000 f350 7.3. My truck had lost of power and pounding the web all things pointed to the fuel tank screens well I dropped the tank and sure enough the screens had not algae like I thought but rust now where is it coming from well when I dropped the tank I didn't know about the vapor lines and it was hanging from it so I didn't want to break the plastic nipples so I cut the hoses reel fast and found when I looked at it carefully. if I would known about the vapor lines I would have disconnect them from the tank and left the hose on the frame and cleaned the screens and it would have went back together thinking its clean now and I'm good to go I just got bad batch of fuel and I should be more careful. well since I cut the hoses I wanted to take it down and replaced the hoses and do a nice job well to my surprise the vapor lines have a steel line that the rubber hoses connect to , I got it they didn't want the rubber hoses rubbing on the frame so they split it with a steel line when I took it off the clamp and lowered it guess what came out rust ! so Bill can you make a note in your video's to tell the guys and girls to check this steel tube because I could have missed it all together and who knows what could have happened be doing it again in two months or trash my injectors it would have not been good .thanks your channel is very helpful
Good info on the fuel pickup screens. Just checked mine and they were almost plugged. Been having a little longer crank than normal so I figured it couldn't hurt to check them
Mr. Hewitt, I love your videos man. The quality is beyond reproach sir. I don't know much about automobile mechanics, much less diesel, but I'm in the market for a 7.3 and after watching your videos on how to buy, what all the upgrades are and now this one, it appears that I know more about these vehicles than all of the mechanics (so far) I've taken a few potential vehicles to. Once I make my purchase, I intend on purchasing the master mechanic video tutorials from your site. Thank you for your expertise.
I have 1 2001 Excursion 7.3 with 267k miles. I run 15w40 Royal Purple with Mobil 1's Extended Service oil filter. I change the oil every 10k miles. As part of the service, I suck out the oil from the high pressure oil reservoir and refill it before filling the crankcase with oil. It should be needless to say the oil filter is filled with oil prior to installing it. Change the fuel filter with each oil change. I also clean and re-oil the K&N air filter at each oil change. I have a TS 5 position chip and run it on the 75 hp setting ONLY except for towing when I use the 50 hp setting. It gets 23 mpg at 70 mph regularly. This engine along with the 12v or 24v Cummins are the most durable 3/4 ton and 1 ton motors you can get.
Dang this is what my 95 7.3 245K truck has been doing it smokes on first start, then cleans up, but stills smell of diesel. Went to start it the other day no start I am diagnosing. Distribution test showed weak cylinder on No7. I guess I need to find a shop to rebuild it. Great informative video!
I had a old 91 f250. IdI no turbo. Loved that ole truck! She would start every day. Didnt matter how cold it was. Always did good maint. She ran like a top.
Criss Soto It's a company truck and you don't know much about Cummins engines. It now has 507,000 miles, it don't use to much oil, don't smoke and has never stopped
I am happy to report my 7.3 just getting broken in 400k on her. I am full-time #vanlife in my Ambulance conversion RV and meet people daily here in CA with these 160k sprinter builds. These things will never see this kinda miles using the death fluid DEF on top of this lil 6 cyl. They are running. The older sprinters may come close but don't look for a 7k rebuild on them when needed. Love my 7.3 straightpiped - my Prius exterminator
My 92 has 300k on it and never did nothing to the motor but oil change. Think its hydro locked but I planned on having it gone thru and time to refurbish truck.Thanks for showing this video
Love my 96 F350 crew cab duel. 7.3!!! It just turned 338k and I'm just now considering a rebuild as I tow 5th wheels all over. Would like a reman with screw in studs, stage one injectors with a stepped up turbo and good tunes to make those 7% grades a big less nail biting towing 11k.
I own a 99 f350. 350,000 miles all stock runs like a new truck. Oil changed every 5000 miles 3000 when towing. Best 6,000 dollar truck I ever bought. Still looks new.
Rebuild, rebuild, and, rebuild again! Even though I've never owned a 7.3, or any other diesel pickup, I have many friends that won't have anything else! The only diesels I own are in semi tractors. I run Cummins in them but wouldn't hesitate to buy a Ford with the Navistar 7.3, aka DT (?) 444.
I have a jacked up 1989 f250 7.3 with 35's with almost 300k miles on it. it burns no oil and it still pulls like a tank. With MD salting the roads i think the frame might fall apart before the engine.
I just love my 99 F350 with the 7.3. I even have the rattle but been told it is the transmission. This motor and transmission does not give me any issues. The body is getting rotten but motor still runs strong. Just bought a new F250 gas but I'm keeping the 99 and getting rid of the wifes F150 pos. Great video btw!
@@operator8014 I have 313,000 on my 2002 and haven't had to rebuild the tranny yet. Mostly just easy highway miles and towing 10,000 lbs of boat and trailer 3 or 4 times a month. Redone the interior 7 years ago and drivers seat is now looking sad. Will never get rid of it. Best motor Ford ever made
love your videos. lots of nice info and enjoy watching and learning about all the different parts/ how they go bad/ where they go bad/ life span of parts/ common problems and nice general info. keep it up!!! only thing is I wish you would have shown us how it ran before you rebuilt it, I know you showed us a different one but yea
I hope he's pulling our legs when he said a 7.3 has a catalytic converter. The 7.3 is exempt from federal emission standards, due to the emissions reduction measures at the time made the engine run worse and less efficiently
dead holes on diesels can be from bad injectors(leaking). air in the fuel will damage injectors. getting the air out of the fuel is key, diesel fuel tends to foam up in recirculating fuel systems. the OEM 7 micron fuel filter needs to be upgraded too
shit scares me...I have a 7.3 idi and I love my truck...all the videos online about diesel failure and blown blocks and shit makes me worried.i take good care of my block and do regular maintenance ...shit just keeps me up at night sometimes
Literally every engine made since 1990 lasts +300k miles. Even your everyday 4.8/5.3 ls regularly make it to 300k without burning much oil. A diesel should last 700k, min.
Where exactly is your shop? I have a 2002 F350 7.3 with 280K miles which I am keeping. I might need some work done soon and if you are near by, you know. Great vids.
I have a 354k mile 7.3 and nothing has ever been done to it, that I know of. I can hardly see the engine from all the oil and dirt on it. Bought it cheap and keep it cheap . Just use it to tow livestock, hay and tractors around my properties. Knock on wood, don't wanna jinx the fucker.
I have a 2001 E450 Shuttle bus with 307k miles. One can assume that most people don't put tuners on shuttle busses! I just hope she lives another 93,000.
An ex coworker had bad glow plugs in his. At work he couldnt get it started. At lunch I towed his truck over to the building so he could plug it in. Still couldnt get his fired up after 4 hrs block heat. Fortunately we didnt have starting fluid. I did a trick i learned with my old 57 Jd 520 gas tractor with a weak starter. Propane torch on the manifold. Or his 7.3 i had my butane torch and i put it on the spider pipe and a few minutes it fired up.
I wish you were here in Colorado! A good diesel tech is hard to find here. People often take there trucks to a dealer where a kid fresh out of school screws it up even worse! LOL
My wife bought a 2000 Ford f350 w/a7.3l turbo charged engine. On may 27th 2016 we were driving home and found ourselves in a pretty good bit of water, about a foot and a half. the truck stalledout at about a 1/4 mile thru the water. my neighbor pulled us out.i waited about 35minutes to see if it would start.surprisingly it did. upon starting it I noticed that there was a pretty good bit of white smoke coming out of the tail pipe. NO WATER IN THE OIL,STARTS UP FINE , but when she went to drive it on the feeder by our house, she called me and said the truck started to shake at about 45 mph. still smoking she asked what the problem could be Injectors, turbo, rings, and hopfully not the pistons. What should i do. It is our only vehicle since I recently lost my job and had to send mine back to keep food on the table for my kids
A 7.3 with regular service should go 400,000 miles before a rebuild. At 175,000 the injectors wear out and don't fire when cold. Customers shoot ether in the air intake and the rest is history. Also, people don't plug theirs in overnight on a super cold day, and they don't let them idle and warm up for 20 minutes. Even in a southern climate it's a good idea to let the truck run for 5 minutes before driving it. The weakest link on a 7.3 is the oil pan. In Georgia you won't have a problem, but in the Northeast where there is lots of bad weather, the brine and the road salt will eat up a Ford alive. They rust as soon as they leave the showroom. Very disappointing that Ford decided to use a garbage stamped steel pan on a heavy duty 4wd truck instead of aluminum or stainless. From what I understand that is not a Navistar pan, but a "better idea" from Ford. Disappointing what garbage steel Ford uses (Look at the rear wheel arches and the rockers) and what a poor job of undercoating they do. I spray my oil pan with WD 40 every oil change. Then again, nothing lasts forever and Ford wants you to buy a new $70,000 truck. It may be worthwhile to dump $9,000 into a southern rust free truck with 200,000 miles but not in the Northeast when the truck is half rusted away already. Nice video Bill. South of the Mason Dixon stuff comes apart easily. Not so easily up North where everything is rusty. Let's also keep something else in mind. A lot of guys need their truck for work. They can't be down for 2 weeks, and if they use the truck 100% for business they can buy a new truck and depreciate it. From a tax perspective it may make more sense to scrap the old truck or trade it in. On a good note, I would never buy a Dodge. They rust away even faster.
(0:40) ETHER!!!!!!! Or Starting fluid. That's what the bus company I used to work for used on all the diesel buses that were the least bit hard to start. Instead of taking the time to fix it correctly, they ALWAYS took the LAZY way out, then wonder why the engines are no good before their 15 year life span is up. Especially the older T444E's (7.3L), Vt365's and GM diesels. You make a good point at 2:45 about "not just an injector" but damaged engine. As for the buses with that particular problem and the oil (blue smoke) smell, I was told they also needed new "computers" which they were too cheap to invest in. So now most of those buses (T444E/ 7.3) had since been scrapped, all from neglect. I think it's pretty safe to bet the "wannabe" mechanics there don't have a clue about what you're talking about.
