Ford 7.3 Longevity?

John Harmon · Jun 13, 2009

I saw a '97 Ford F350 Dually with a for sale on the window so I stopped to look at it as we need a spare truck occasionally.The guy got in and started it up and it started well and sounded like any 7.3 turbo so he shut it off and handed me the keys and said lets take it for a ride.First thing that caught my eye was the speedometer and then 312,000 miles was next. The Guy showed me the log book for maintenance and this engine has never had a valve cover or the oil pan off it. Some Inj.pump work and a water pump replace and that was it.

Question?? How long do these engines go with out major engine work. I had a '99 with a 7.3 but it only had 67,000 when I traded it off so I have no reference to go by.Any answers?

JDemaris · Jun 13, 2009

The 7.3 diesel has a "B-10" rating of 210,000 miles. That means that under hard use, 10% need major work at that mileage point, and 90% do not. It also has a B-50 rating of 375,000 miles (50% fail and 50% don't)." Keep in mind the "B" rating is for heavy use, not for a truck used like a passenger car.

My 85 Ford 6.9 diesel has 380,000 miles and it's never been apart. My 94 7.3 has 280,000 and never been apart. My 82 Chevy K10 with a 6.2 diesel has 260,000 and has never been opened up.
I'll add that my 87 Chevy Suburban with a 6.2 diesel made it to 520,000 miles before it blew to pieces. Up to that point, it ran perfect and the engine had never been part. Had a few injector-nozzle changes, water pumps, etc. When I stripped it for parts, the crank journals, pistons, bearings, still looked unworn. But, the block was cracked at the main bearing webs and the crank broke into three pieces.

30_Eric · Jun 13, 2009

I don"t remember exactly what year had the problems with cavitation. Problems with the cylinder walls being too thin. If they maintained the supplemental cooling additives and all the other maintenance I"d bet it still has a lot more miles to go.

markct · Jun 13, 2009

never had a valve cover off?so no one adjusted the valves in all those miles, shoulda been down atleast a couple times!

Anonymous-0 · Jun 13, 2009

Jd, what's the B10 rating for a 2008 duramax?

Greyhorse · Jun 13, 2009

That model doesn't have an injection pump, hard to believe it hasn't needed an injector with those miles too (require valve cover off). I would be a little skeptical about the guy and his paperwork. They are very good long lived engines but injectors do go bad with that many miles on them.

Bob · Jun 13, 2009

And just HOW would you suggest they should have adjusted the non-adjustable valves with hydraulic lifters???????????

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Jun 14, 2009

Those also have the valve cover gaskets with the pass thru connectors for the injectors that are notorious for melting. Not an expensive issue, but 312K is a lot of miles for that not happening.

Gun guru · Jun 14, 2009

I would be more worried about the Transmission, 312K miles is a lot but the transmission is junk---one of Ford's worst, especially the warranty returns. Ask about major overhauls.

What is the asking price?

John M · Jun 14, 2009

250000, according to GM dealer, but Isuzu rates it at like 300000. Ill have to find that info and post it.

John Harmon · Jun 14, 2009

He claims no major downtime and the Transmission[5 speed] has the same rattle sound in lower gears as my old 94 had so no mystery there.

RodinNS · Jun 14, 2009

300 plus on any engine in a pickup is pushing the envelope. It could go 300 more or it might blow up tomorrow.
Price would be the deciding factor for me... Basically an amount of money I could afford to be without tomorrow if it did blow up because there's not really any point fixing that if it did blow. At the end of the day it's just an old truck that's probably as well or more worn than the engine. If it was 2 years old and 50K on it then you'd have something to work with if you did have major trouble. Just something to think about...

Rod

Wesley Stephens · Jun 14, 2009

if it's cheap enough, I'd buy it and run it till it quit.

Aaron Ford · Jun 15, 2009

I just took my 97 F350 with 253K on it on a 1400 mile round trip. No problems and 18.9 MPG with an empty 7K flatbed behind it.

If the price is right...

Aaron

farmer101IL · Jun 15, 2009

(quoted from post at 16:42:53 06/13/09) I saw a '97 Ford F350 Dually with a for sale on the window so I stopped to look at it as we need a spare truck occasionally.The guy got in and started it up and it started well and sounded like any 7.3 turbo so he shut it off and handed me the keys and said lets take it for a ride.First thing that caught my eye was the speedometer and then 312,000 miles was next. The Guy showed me the log book for maintenance and this engine has never had a valve cover or the oil pan off it. Some Inj.pump work and a water pump replace and that was it.

Question?? How long do these engines go with out major engine work. I had a '99 with a 7.3 but it only had 67,000 when I traded it off so I have no reference to go by.Any answers?

I have a 97 with a314,000 on it 5 speed hasnt skipped a beat bought it with 200,000 on it 17 mpg 2 owners before me it was used for hwy use hauling a goose neck light loads. Never been a part . Had to change a solenoid for glow plugs 50000 miles ago thats it. oh ya an alternator when i first got it. change oil every 6000 miles uses about a quart in 6ooo miles.

Farmer

Ford 7.3 Longevity?

John Harmon

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JDemaris

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30_Eric

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markct

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Anonymous-0

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Greyhorse

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Bob

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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Gun guru

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John M

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John Harmon

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RodinNS

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Wesley Stephens

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Aaron Ford

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farmer101IL

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