theses motors are by far best in my book ive go a 7.3 idi and ill never swing from it

Agreed. with the exception of cavitation.no computers is a definite plus in my book.I shouldnt have even brought it up. just worried about the unknown. but fairly low miles and been pampered its whole life. chances are no damage done or i am being ignorant

 

I'd go for the 7.3. Better rockers, better block, better head bolts, better glow plug system. Only issue would be cavitation which is easy to deal with with the correct coolant and test strips, and additives. You still need to check additives on the new for diesel's so its nothing new.

The hard part is getting the test strips and additive. Ryder fleet products is great for that.

 

cavitation,cavitation,...... why does it have to exist. the 7.3 would b perfect if it were not for cavitation.how often does it occur in a motor not maintained with sca's?

 

charger, your worrying far too much friend.spend a hour or two searching for confirmed,condemned 7.3l's by block worm/cavitation.let us know how many you find.use google and other diesel sites too,not just here (i advise this because iv done it,there isn't enough posted here over the years worth talking about.) after doing that,i think you'll rest a bit easier.be prepared during your hours of searching to find enough,that you'll be going back several years in very old threads all over.i think i found 4 or 5 iirc.one of those was a 6.9l - no kidding.

tip;
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11789244

to the original poster;
nothing lasts forever.
not even the patriots on a wining streak......dammit lol.

 

ford f250hdxlt,Thanks for the words of comfort. You r absolutely rite.Much appreciated.

 

Pros: very simple, will pull anything

Cons: very slow, fairly gutless as far as get up and go

 

they shouldn't be that bad.even without a turbo,they should still get along far faster than a normal driver should be taking off if he wants any sort of fuel economy.
if your idi truck can't get along like this if you boot 'er,something is most likely wrong.example of n/a;
(well ok,maybe the manual shift trans can't scoot along as quick,but it shouldn't be too far off...i doubt.)

 

Two ways I've found cavitation can be detected non-invasively:

- sniff around tailpipe while someone else cold starts. I hope you know better than to get a face full of soot, you're looking to "whiff the plume". If you don't smell sweet coolant, you're good.

- cooling system pH will go acidic and turn really really nasty

If you have either of these symptoms your cylinders have gone porous. If you don't, you probably got the SCA in there in time.

Cheers,
- Jeff

 

Mine accelerates nowhere even close to that. If I wail the **** out of it, I can get sorta close.

 

My 1990 f Superduty is a turtle from light to light, lol but with a load on it it pulls hard up hills, have yet to take it out of 5th gear fully loaded and its got 237,xxx miles on her. Would like alittle more go but don't have the $ for a turbo, had some people tell me to straight pipe it, but it sounded like a NASCAR and REALY ran the same. It's my first diesel, and a great work truck , pretty happy with the 7.3 with the 5:13s . After ready yr posts think ill check the coolent even with the high miles .