When Did they start putting the 7.3L diesel into the ford trucks? I am looking at an 87 f250 with a 7.3L diesel in it with 300,000 miles on it. I have checked with my buddies and they said they didn't start putting them in until 88! Any feed back would be great. Thanks

 

1988 was the first year for the 7.3 liter. 83-87 Used the 6.9 liter. The 7.3 has a little more power but the 6.9 is a great motor also. I have had really good luck with my 6.9. It could be a case of someone put a 7.3 in a 87 though. They interchange pretty good that way I am told. I have had very minimal problems with my 6.9 since I have had it. I am getting all the bugs worked out of the truck itself from the previous owner. I have a big wad of wiring on my garage floor right now I have removed from the truck while cleaning things up and wiring the power windows and locks the way they should be. I bought this truck with 80,000 original miles I was told. I did a carfax on it the other day and found out it has 180,000 miles on it. Oh well. You would never know it by driving it and I will probably keep it until it falls in a heap anyway. Take it easy and good luck with the 250

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

Ford put the 7.3 in 88-94 1/2. Some one probably switched them. Dosen't a 7.3 with 300,000 seem a little high. How do you know it really has that many. I you are really interested in the truck, make sure you do a compression test on all of the cylinders. Also remove the air cleaner housing, and watch the crankcase gases enter the intake manifold. If the smoke is excessive then the engine probably has a lot of blowby.

Hope this helps.

 

If it's been weel maintained I would not be afraid at all of a 6.9 or a 7.3 with 300,000 miles. I would be a little concerned over the axles and transmission though. Make sure and check it out good. Fordiesel69 has a good point on checking the compression though. You can use an automotive compression tester to do it with. You will have to make an adaptor to thread into the glow plug hole and remove the two wires from the drivers side of the injector pump so it doesn't fire. If it maxs out the gauge you are good to go.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6