I am looking at purchasing a 97 4x4 diesel so I don't have to smog in California. I will be pulling a fifth wheel travel trailer. That is why I am considering a big monster.
What and how do you check a diesel motor for proper performance, I hear about blow-bye, I will stay away from automatic transmission because I heard they do not last and cost 4k to replace. Any suggestions on what to look for on american diesel's. Dodges are more expensive so I will stay with a power-stroke.

All info is welcome. Thanks.

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Thanks, Juan

I know the 6.0 liter power stroke was a problematic motor for Ford. I had two friends who sold them after multiple turbo failures and other reoccurring issues.

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1972 280SE 4.5

Ok thanks. The one I am considering has the 7.3 liter.

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Thanks, Juan

friend of mine has a 97 f250 ext cab 7.3 with an automatic.i know he has over 200k on it and trans has never given him any problems.the only major issues he has had that i know of are cam position sensor,and glowplug harness which runs under the valve cover.otherwise it has been rock solid.i'd buy one in a heartbeat if one came up close to me at a decent price.i will ask this how big is your 5'er??i have a 36 ft and found that a 1 ton with duals works lots better in crosswinds etc.

6.0 was not available until after 2002 or 04 I believe. 1997 is an awesome bulletproof motor in the 7.3, you will love it.

If its a manual tranny, check the connection on the clutch pedal to the master cylinder push rod. Ford for some inexplicable reason used the crappiest little plastic bushing and metal knob to attach the end of the push rod, its the weakest point of the hydraulic clutch system IMO as it seems to wear horribly. Something to watch at least, I drilled out a few connections on the pedal and and replaced with a nice heavy bolt for the bushing to seat in on a couple trucks.
Nothing worse than going to shift gears and having the end of the master rod slip off that knob, leaving you stranded in whatever gear. Huge PITA while driving.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I have a '99 F350 PSD. Problems that come up with these vehicles can be found on this forum http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum170/

I have had good service from mine, no problems with engine or transmission. The low sulfur diesel seems to cause fuel leaks from the filter housing but that is easily fixed with new type O rings. Cooling system requires close attention, making sure the anti-freeze is clean. There is an additive called VC-8 that must be used to prevent cavitation in that big cooling system.

Brakes, especially front, are suspect. Calipers prone to rust and seizing up. Lots of info on this in the above forum. I had this problem twice and finally went to powder coated calipers.

My camshaft position sensor was actually replaced on a recall when the truck was 9 years old!

I also have a DP Tuner chip which has made a big difference, especially with towing.

Go to the forum and you will get lots of info.

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"Life is tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." John Wayne


Dave
Pawleys Island, SC

'79 300CD

All the hours of readind you need. www.thedieselstop.com

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1979 240D Caledonia Green/cream gone
1982 240D stick Ivory/Palimino
1999 E300D White/grey

Thanks guys, great info.

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Thanks, Juan

Echo what others are saying. The 7.3 is what you want.

The PowerJoke is an overly complex motor. The injectors fire off oil pressure (separate pump). That was enough for me to hear, to run away.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Im pretty sure 97 is a powerstroke 7.3 with the oil pressure fired injectors. Still an excellent motor, only complaint about that setup is that the injectors are individually far more expensive, but they rarely break.

I think the pre-powerstroke 7.3 was discontinued in 95? we have to look this up, but for years, the IDI, the IDI turbo, and the powerstroke were all the same liter after the 6.9 ended in the 80s.

Id take the powerstroke over the IDI any day, more power, more reliable, and the injection pump in the IDI does not like low sulfer fuel. I haven't met anyone who's had to replace or even service that high pressure oil pump in the powerstroke 7.3s

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

If you are going to buy a Ford diesel, the 7.3 is what you want. Not trying to start a war but I would buy the Dodge (Cummins).

Dodge, Ford. Chevy, they all have their problems.
I bleed Ford blue so that is what I prefer.
Any 7.3 Powerstroke will do you a good job. I prefer 99 up mainly because there were a few changes that really improved the performance.
The biggest transmission problem with these is what is called the diode trans used in some 2000/2001 IIRC trucks. Stay away from that one if it hasn't already been changed.
Maintenance is critical on any diesel and the Powerstroke is no different.
Oil change intervals are especially important and generally recommended as the first step in diagnosing engine run complaints.
The oil is used to fire the injectors and it MUST be in good condition.
Fuel filters and coolant are important too.
All in all the 7.3 is arguably the most bullet proof of any of them if properly maintained.

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Darrell

1984 300SD "Ole Girl"
207K

I have a 97 or 98(made in Jan 98) and the only problems with a 4x4 with a standard tranny are this: They ride rough as they had a IFS front end which a lot of people converted to a Dana 60. The stock flywheel is a dual mass type and will probably fail. I replaced both items years ago and have about 175k on the meter. The fuel tanks are very slow fillers also. But a good truck overall.
Bud

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1987 300D Turbo, 175k mi., 1998 BMW 323i Convertible, 1997 F250 4x4 7.3L PSD

97 would be near the end of the glorious 12V Cummins which is a beautiful reliable engine akin to our 617. It will take approx $2,000 to fix the 50,000 mi truck that Dodge built around the engine (steering, suspension, KDP etc).

dieselrm, mopar1973man, cumminsforum, turbodieselregister and dieseltruckresource are appropriate for Cummins

dieselbombers has various brands

Ford has a plethora of comparable sites also. Check with a bank & try to buy for loan value or less. Also see if a used car dealer will let you look at his blackbook.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I own a 2002 7.3 Powerstroke & I love it. Sure, the Cummins is a good engine & will accept power upgrades better than the PS, but the Dodge truck itself is, IMHO, a POS. Chrysler has never learned how to build a vehicle that didn't fall apart. (Flame suit on).

The 97 Powerstroke is definately a 7.3. If you pretty much leave it stock, it will last almost forever. You can make minor power/MPG adjustments, such as an other-than-stock air filter, larger exhaust (Definately recommended!). You could add a minor power chip/programmer, but don't get carried away - you can only get so much power out of that engine without subjecting it to major problems. Since the injectors fire from oil pressure, oil changes need to be done on a regular schedule. Synthetic oil is good.

Another source is http://www.thedieselgarage.com/forums/index.php? You can get a lot of info from this site, as well as others mentioned.

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1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed