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.
@@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...
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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 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 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.
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
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!
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.
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
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
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
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.
@@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
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.
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.
Why would you rebuild that truck? The same reason that my 1978 GMC K-35 (bought in 1984), is still on the road...it's a good truck, and I can rebuild it from the ground up for a fraction of the cost of a new one! I've done the body/paint on my Jimmy 3 times and the drivetrain twice over the years. She's in my shop again for another complete rebuild now. This time, her ORIGINAL block will be sleeved back to standard bore. I can't even imagine how many miles I've put on her over the past 35 years, but, she's the truck that my wife (of 32 years) and I dated, and, brought our 3 kids home from the hospital in! She's family, and, she ain't going anywhere other than home! If I had to buy a new truck to replace her, I'd have to spend at least $70k. I'd also have to settle for an automatic transmission, and, a bunch of other crap that I don't want or need! Then, to top it off, I'd have to deal with my wife and kids giving me hell for trading in a REAL truck for a poser! No thanks! I'll keep rebuilding my truck until I can't do it anymore...then, I'll do it again just for spite!
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
(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.
Buddy just bought a 7.3 at a dealer for $8000, 165,000 miles. Auto Trans blew bout a week later, revved up, revved down, then wouldn't work in any gear D:.
It nice to see that somebody still gives a enough of a shit to fix things rather than tell the customer to "just buy a new one"
That's by far the best sounding 7.3 I've ever heard. Great job
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.
Got a 7.3 at my shop rn with 1.3 million miles on it. original turbo and engine.
What year is it?
Let me guess they didn't tune it?
@@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...
to bad its a ford lol
I thought I was the only who thought like that. @@kentrushton6135
There is just something wonderful about the sound of a 7.3
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!
I have one of these trucks too... trying to learn- what's the egts?
@@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.
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.
My 7.3 has 567,000 on the clock. Still runs like brand new one. They just don't make em the same!
Hey, Zach, have you serviced the in tank filters or done any fuel system mods?
zach wells
No way it runs like a new one
zach wells
I agree on that I have a 2003 f350 7.3 710,000km on the clock and still runs and drives no issues
@@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.
@@jacoe33333 so what don't add more than 100hp and don't bend the rods. better yet leave it stock and hit high milage easy.
$7,000 rebuild is a lot better than paying $70,000 for a new truck.
To add to your they run forever I've got almost 700,000 on mine but shes not far from giving up
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.
Big Bossman but there’s a reason why doboss garage on RUclips has so many videos cough* bc there dodges
👍 yes
Thats what i thought just after " is it really worth it?"
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.
Bill, I have a 2002 f350 with a 7.3 and your videos are awesome! They have helped me a lot with fixing her up.Thanks!
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 dont own a truck, i've never owned a truck, i dont think i ever will own a truck, but i love your videos.
yeah, I drive an f150 ha. Guy is fun to watch.
I really enjoy his expertise.
Get a good engine and model year and you'll love it
Weirdo
🤣🤣🤣 nice
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.
ReFracture I cant agree more hell a new f350 cost close to 70,000
ReFracture so true, my old f250 something goes wrong and i can smack it to fix it
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
This reminds me of the episode of King of the Hill, when Hank tries to save his good old red truck ... I tell you what.
7.3 is one of the best Diesel engines ever designed that CAT style injection system is truly immaculate
You betcha bottom dolla
I love watching your videos. They're always very informative and well done. I have never owned a powerstoke myself but I have respect for them.
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.
Aaron .J
That’s because ur broke
@@austinclark8335 No it's because some people are smart and don't want to dump their life savings into a POS 6 or 6.4
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
Austin Clark is the video on your channel the nicest truck you’ve ever owned?
@@austinclark8335 ik im late here but just because you dont have 60k to put in a new truck doesnt mean ur broke lol
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.
$7k rebuild? That’s cheap! I would expect something that labor intensive to be in the $10-$11k gallery. You do good work. 👍🏻
300k miles is considered premature failure in this engine. Great
any car or truck is in my book worn out after 150k
+Ryan Diesel engines last a lot longer than gasoline engines, if you take care of a diesel they can go well past 1 million miles easy...
you must not know diesel engines then...
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
Clearanceman2 buy you would have to change everything else but the motor
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
RUclips as a treasure in so many craftsmen sharing their knowledge. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Very nice video. Your detail of explanation is top notch. You can tell when a person cares about their job.
Great information, well done video. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thank you for the nice overview. I just gave my 2001 SuperDuty to my son with 285,000 miles on it. Love the sound at the end of the video!
Bad piston and the 7.3 will probably still keep trunning for another 20 years. Can't kill the 7.3!
7.3 with proper maint dont dies
Slave lake agrees
Thanks for all the videos you all put on BIG help
I own a 2003 7.3l virgin no mods 159k miles love my truck. Original owner
Still going strong?
@@ziegaubrey1643 understatment of the decade lol he's taking that to 750k no problem
Rebuilding the engine cost a lot less than a new truck!!!!
Awesome job on the rebuild! Starts right up and sounds brand new.
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
Looks just like it should.... like you've never had it apart.... very clean professional work
Seeing people with that many miles on there 7.3 makes me feel a little better about theses trucks
I sure wish I had a friend like you nearby with all of that knowledge.
With all of the shade tree mechanics out there on the internet, it's nice to see actual truck knowledge, instead of opinion! Nice job!
My 7.3l excursion just turned 480k. 100% stock. Should I need a rebuild, it's going to this guy's shop.
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 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.
This guy does in 6 hours what would take me 6 days
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
His name is Mr.Powerstroke !
Great video - really helpful tip with the fuel pressure or the lack there of -and the advanced timing
Thanks
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.
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
you are the powerstroke guy i come to for valuable information on these powerstroke motors thanks for all the videos!
I have a 99 with 190k. I just learned a ton of great info. THX for sharing your expertise. priceless..
Still going strong?
My Excursion sounds just like your rebuilt engine. I love Dad's truck, glad I found your site.😁
i have a 97 f250 with the 7.3L powerstroke with 320k miles and it still runs amazing
Still going strong?
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!
Good work and glad you're around so working people can afford a decent truck without having to finance something new
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.
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.
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
Fantastic video sir!! Straight to the point, lots of great information in it. Thank You!!
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
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.
Literally Bill is the surgeon of Powerstroked
I'm not a ford guy at all but I really love your video and made me reevaluate my feelings towards 7.3
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.
Great information. Every time I watch one of your videos I want to go out an buy a Powerstroke truck. :)
"Important to replace the brass end of connecting rod"
Eh? Brass? No no man, it's bronze. Brass makes poor bearings for high load.
Not if its lubricated
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.
Another excellent video Bill.
chatrkat Challoooooo!!!!
Great video, Bill. Lots of good information.
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
Nicely done. If only everybody followed this same practice
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!
Still going?
another great teaching video, Professor Powerstroke!!
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.
What brand of 15/40 do you recommend? Since you have seen so many of these engines on the inside., what do you consider "great" oil?
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
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
Best 7.3 guy on internet hands down !! Thanks for info i think lol!
He sure was, Rest In Peace to the legend Bill.
great video, thanks for doing this. Lot's of good stuff here, awesome work!
Thank you for making a new 7.3 video. It has been a while.
Cool video, I have a 7.3 with almost 220,000k miles and it sounds identical to the rebuilt one!
Great video, I love diesels. I don't own one but I drive a 2010 Prostar with a 455 hp 1550 lbs. of torque 15 liter Cummins with 428,000 miles.
You got a red cummins wich is a bullshit engine
Not only that its a prostar
Im sorry
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
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.
THANKS FOR THE LESSON IN DIESEL ENGINES.
My stroker has 686k miles
+Tj Clark mines at 425, now i wanna go check compression though! hahah
Jacob Sommerville I’ve got 173 and it’s a 97 dually. Got it for 5k
So, Tj, have you done any fuel system mods/serviced the in tank fuel filters?
@@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
TiresBiggerThanTexas I’ve got 68000 miles got mine for 7k.
your vids are always so educating!!Thanks for your work.
Its a sad day when a 7.3 gives up the ghost :(
Yes it is
An angel dies......haha
Love my 7.3 I'll cry when I cant fix her anymore
It was still running though. Even with a bad piston.
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.
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.
Why would you rebuild that truck? The same reason that my 1978 GMC K-35 (bought in 1984), is still on the road...it's a good truck, and I can rebuild it from the ground up for a fraction of the cost of a new one! I've done the body/paint on my Jimmy 3 times and the drivetrain twice over the years. She's in my shop again for another complete rebuild now. This time, her ORIGINAL block will be sleeved back to standard bore. I can't even imagine how many miles I've put on her over the past 35 years, but, she's the truck that my wife (of 32 years) and I dated, and, brought our 3 kids home from the hospital in! She's family, and, she ain't going anywhere other than home! If I had to buy a new truck to replace her, I'd have to spend at least $70k. I'd also have to settle for an automatic transmission, and, a bunch of other crap that I don't want or need! Then, to top it off, I'd have to deal with my wife and kids giving me hell for trading in a REAL truck for a poser! No thanks! I'll keep rebuilding my truck until I can't do it anymore...then, I'll do it again just for spite!
Excellent video. Now I know why it cost my buddy six grand to get his F250 repaired.
Wow makes me want to go find a good old 7.3 and keep it for life .
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
lucian kristov average logger run heavy n hard 7,3 favorite moter and here getting 300k + workin hard daily
Well, watching this video, you gotta remember. The 7.3 IDI and Powerstroke are ENTIRELY different motors. The only similarities are displacement.
lucian kristov I have had 5 idi with crack blocks.
(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.
Yea that need to quick doing that shirt so that allison I'm building has something to power it :)
Man I wish this guy was my uncle so he could work on my two powerstrokes
I'm so jelous of the knowledge this guy has regarding the powerstroke or any diesel for that matter man what a great job he has.
+Jorge Lopez did you check the level and condition of the gear Oil in the Differential ?? Also could be a bad U joint
I picked one up for 4K with 310kmiles on it... 01’ I love it I’ve put 5 in it and it’s running strong strong
Scratch that I put like 9 in it🤢😭
So you say it didn't turn out well????
I smiled when it was started. Sounds great
My 7.3 excursion has 283k and I really want to see it hit 500k, 750k, etc!
Always more good information. Thank you.
Awesome details on what to look for thanks
Buddy just bought a 7.3 at a dealer for $8000, 165,000 miles. Auto Trans blew bout a week later, revved up, revved down, then wouldn't work in any gear D:.
Sorry if done already but did you check trans oil level ?
your buddy paid too much anyway
buddy got the trans replaced under warranty :)
nvm good for him
Always good to watch
What broke the motor in spot was I was playing around with nitrous, it is what it is 💀💀💀💀💀
Tyler Harrington, connecting rod broke. Watch the video: "Spot the shop truck dies at 798,169 miles"
this guy knows his shit with the powerstrokes