Hello everyone,
I'm so excited, I just recently bought a 97 F350 Powerstroke and wanted to share. The truck has about 142K miles and is in good shape (for the year) is an automatic, and a I believe has the Dana 4.10 rear differential. I found the listing for it online and went to look at it about a week or two ago, it turns out it was owned by a pastor at a Baptist Church here locally. I have driven it quite a bit (1,000, miles or so) so far and absolutely love it. While its not the easiest vehicle to drive as its very heavy and the steering is a little loose compared to my 2013 Taurus, I can tell it will make for a good towing vehicle. When I initially got it it ran fair, but gradually as I have driven it and done some minor maintenance, its been running much better. When starting the two batteries crank the high compression diesel right up, the coldest temperature weve had so far was in the low fifties, while that's not very cold, I did note that there was still only the usual and acceptable minute amount of blue smoke coming from the exhaust during warm up.I believe it hasn't been ran much and when it was, it was typically only for short distances. The pastor was the original owner and purchased it for his cooler installation business but since the congregation has grown hes dedicated more time to the church and for the last ten years or so hasn't needed it to do any hauling.
This is the first diesel I have ever owned and am very curious about the 7.3 and have been reading about its various intricacies. Its a very interesting engine that, by today's standards, is rather simple. The main difference between this diesel and most being produced today is the injection system and its utilization of oil to hydraulically power the injectors. I have read a lot of great reviews concerning the longevity of the engine and transmissions (with proper maintenance of course) and plan on keeping the truck for a very long time.
So far the aforementioned maintanence I have done was, changed the HPOP and engine oil (Mororcraft 15W-40 & Motorcraft filter for the engine oil), had the fuel filter above the engine changed, changed the rear differential fluid (Valvoline limited slip synthetic), changed the air filter (I think the Ford quick lube shop said it was a Purolator), and I've been adding Motorcraft cetane booster to the fuel with every fill up. The truck shifts smooth and fast. Though I was also told the transmission fluid condition is acceptable, I still plan on having it changed with Mobil 1 Synthetic.
Now that I know the truck is mechanically sound I am going to allocate my spare time to fixing some of the minor flaws, up next on the agenda is repairing or replacing the slowly leaking rear fuel tank, and then moving on to the restoration of some of the flawed cosmetic aspects, but before I do that could you guys please let me know if there's anything else you would suggest I do from a mechanical standpoint to ensure the longevity and that its in the best running condition. And Lastly, I would also like your opinion on switching the oil to 5W-40 TDT though I live in north Florida; I would like the added assurance of the oil circulating quicker at startup and the higher viscosity of a synthetic in hotter summer temps to come.
Photo of the 97 F350
Thanks, and I look forward to your responses
Amir
I'm so excited, I just recently bought a 97 F350 Powerstroke and wanted to share. The truck has about 142K miles and is in good shape (for the year) is an automatic, and a I believe has the Dana 4.10 rear differential. I found the listing for it online and went to look at it about a week or two ago, it turns out it was owned by a pastor at a Baptist Church here locally. I have driven it quite a bit (1,000, miles or so) so far and absolutely love it. While its not the easiest vehicle to drive as its very heavy and the steering is a little loose compared to my 2013 Taurus, I can tell it will make for a good towing vehicle. When I initially got it it ran fair, but gradually as I have driven it and done some minor maintenance, its been running much better. When starting the two batteries crank the high compression diesel right up, the coldest temperature weve had so far was in the low fifties, while that's not very cold, I did note that there was still only the usual and acceptable minute amount of blue smoke coming from the exhaust during warm up.I believe it hasn't been ran much and when it was, it was typically only for short distances. The pastor was the original owner and purchased it for his cooler installation business but since the congregation has grown hes dedicated more time to the church and for the last ten years or so hasn't needed it to do any hauling.
This is the first diesel I have ever owned and am very curious about the 7.3 and have been reading about its various intricacies. Its a very interesting engine that, by today's standards, is rather simple. The main difference between this diesel and most being produced today is the injection system and its utilization of oil to hydraulically power the injectors. I have read a lot of great reviews concerning the longevity of the engine and transmissions (with proper maintenance of course) and plan on keeping the truck for a very long time.
So far the aforementioned maintanence I have done was, changed the HPOP and engine oil (Mororcraft 15W-40 & Motorcraft filter for the engine oil), had the fuel filter above the engine changed, changed the rear differential fluid (Valvoline limited slip synthetic), changed the air filter (I think the Ford quick lube shop said it was a Purolator), and I've been adding Motorcraft cetane booster to the fuel with every fill up. The truck shifts smooth and fast. Though I was also told the transmission fluid condition is acceptable, I still plan on having it changed with Mobil 1 Synthetic.
Now that I know the truck is mechanically sound I am going to allocate my spare time to fixing some of the minor flaws, up next on the agenda is repairing or replacing the slowly leaking rear fuel tank, and then moving on to the restoration of some of the flawed cosmetic aspects, but before I do that could you guys please let me know if there's anything else you would suggest I do from a mechanical standpoint to ensure the longevity and that its in the best running condition. And Lastly, I would also like your opinion on switching the oil to 5W-40 TDT though I live in north Florida; I would like the added assurance of the oil circulating quicker at startup and the higher viscosity of a synthetic in hotter summer temps to come.
Photo of the 97 F350
Thanks, and I look forward to your responses
Amir
