well we have a 96 in the shop that had no low oil pressure, filled with 10quarts oil over full and it started, pulled engine figuring the pickup tube was cracked common, and found it is in good shape no leaks, pulled pump and found the gears worn and been wearing sidways, distroyed front cover and oil pump cover, ordered a front cover and found the 96 cover is discountinued from ford and international, no new ones in the country.

well had this half way good idea and had my parts guy check on a 2000 sd cover and pick up, can still get them, so i gave tech hotline a call and talked to them for a while and asked them if this is possible. well found out the 97-2003 trucks the cover is the same.

94-95 is one cover 96 is another and 97+ is the other cover.

the 96 cover has a deaireation valve in the cover and hotline side it was basically worthless made no difference from the 95.

found out the 94-95 cover is a direct replacement for the 96 everthing works. can use the 97+ cover but you will need these part to make it work on a 96- truck (cover, pickup tube, hpo resovoir, and oil pan). guess you learn somthing every day.

just thought i would throw this out there in case anyone has a 96 and in the need of a cover and want a new one

 

I have a 96, sounds like a nightmare. Thanks for the info.

 

Found that out when mine cracked. I just coverted to a SD front cover oil pan and all. It's a much better casting when you set them side by side. The 96 does have an anti drain valve like the 97+.