Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Block Curiosity

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 08:43 AM
  #1  
Talyn's Avatar
Talyn
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
Block Curiosity

What is the best block to build a motor from between the 94-03 range?
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 04:08 PM
  #2  
Cuda_jim's Avatar
Cuda_jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
Not sure if there are better blocks but some of the newer engines have powdered metal rods. The NBS forums have pictures of the carnage from pushing the PMR's too far so you may want to steer clear of them if you are building a bullet.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 04:39 PM
  #3  
Talyn's Avatar
Talyn
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
Well. I'm not 100% sure on the differences between the block years, but there were at least 4 or 5 castings just for the OBS If I recall it correctly.

But I wouldn't want to pass up a deal on a SD block if it was usable or better.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 06:00 PM
  #4  
Cuda_jim's Avatar
Cuda_jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
Here's some reading for ya....maybe you've seen this before but..........

TheDieselStop.Com - www.thedieselstop.com

Cover Page pictures from hobbies & interests photos on webshots
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 06:17 PM
  #5  
deadsenator's Avatar
deadsenator
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
From: Pugetopolis
Somewhere I have a link that 'splains the PMR issue and the serial numbers to look for. I can dig further if so desired.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 06:36 PM
  #6  
Talyn's Avatar
Talyn
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
I doubt i'm going to be that picky, but all the info is helpful.

Its so much easier having a block and a truck to take the block to the machine shop with ya know?

Get the block work done and pull my motor and start swapping parts.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 06:37 PM
  #7  
Talyn's Avatar
Talyn
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
Thanks Jim, was able to rep you for once.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 07:01 PM
  #8  
strokin'_tatsch's Avatar
strokin'_tatsch
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
The general concensus is that the OBS block is less likely to crack. A '96 or '97 block. Think I'd rather have a '97 block if I was looking.

IIRC the survey done by PHP confirmed this. Also IIRC the '99 models showed more broken blocks than others. Probably due to bad tuning due to the split year and tuners not having the proper PCM code. Unfortunately we no longer have access to the PHP survey to confirm what I think I remember. LOL
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 07:06 PM
  #9  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Choice of blocks are the one's with mech fuel pump boss.

B
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 07:29 PM
  #10  
Talyn's Avatar
Talyn
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
haha, Thanks Mad Van. =)


good info travis. thanks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 07:40 PM
  #11  
TheTowingCowboy's Avatar
TheTowingCowboy
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 0
From: Meigs County Ohio
Th eblocks in OBS 94.5-96 are spouse to be the strongest ones. Cause they were cast heavier then as the block evolved it was lightened up and not so thick. Oh oh oh gett a stroker kit for it!!!!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 07:53 PM
  #12  
strokin'_tatsch's Avatar
strokin'_tatsch
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by TheTowingCowboy
Th eblocks in OBS 94.5-96 are spouse to be the strongest ones. Cause they were cast heavier then as the block evolved it was lightened up and not so thick. Oh oh oh gett a stroker kit for it!!!!!
Not exactly true... The later blocks actually got thicker in the valley area.. Also, the '94.5-'95 blocks did not have bracing in the lifter galley areas like the '96+ blocks, so I'd have to assume they are not quite as stiff.

Also there is no such thing as a stroker kit for us nor do I think it'd help us much..
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 08:00 PM
  #13  
Talyn's Avatar
Talyn
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
I think that was a joke Travis. haha
Power Stroke...

ahh.

Found a 97 with trans, hoping its a zf5.
Really cheap.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 08:01 PM
  #14  
NavyMIDN08's Avatar
NavyMIDN08
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by strokin'_tatsch
Not exactly true... The later blocks actually got thicker in the valley area.. Also, the '94.5-'95 blocks did not have bracing in the lifter galley areas like the '96+ blocks, so I'd have to assume they are not quite as stiff.

Also there is no such thing as a stroker kit for us nor do I think it'd help us much..

Weld and offset grind?

no... bad idea. Don't do that, don't even think of doing that...
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 08:06 PM
  #15  
TheTowingCowboy's Avatar
TheTowingCowboy
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 0
From: Meigs County Ohio
What you want for the other ZF5 tranny?? =D

And the stroker kit actually was mentioned out of curiosity cause they make a 427 kit for the 6.6 D-Max, and i dont see how it couldnt help us any. Stroker kits are known for adding more low end torque... But for the money one would be it would probably only be a 'last thing to get last little amount'
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:11 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE