Hi guys,

So I have an '84 F250 NA 6.9L 2WD. I've been wanting to get a 4wd for a while and a clean looking '93 F250 4x4 popped up on craigslist recently. Only thing I hesitate about is it has the 7.3 which I've read is more prone to cavitation issues related to the thinner cylinder walls. I prefer function and longevity over performance and I don't want to worry about major issues down the road. That's why I like the all mechanical IDIs over the higher performance PSDs. Anyways, I'm thinking about swapping my 6.9L over into the new truck. Am I worrying about nothing here? Both engines have around 200kish and are good runners with no blowby, major leaks, etc...

Also, the new truck is an automatic, I assume this means it is an E4OD? He just had tranny rebuilt - how long will these trannys go for?

Thanks!

 

To me the E4-uh-oh-D is a bigger concern than the 7.3. It is not a good transmission. But if he had it rebuilt, has the paperwork to prove it, and it wasn't done by AMACCO, it could last you a while. But be prepared to come back here and ask "why is my OD light flashing and my TC isn't locking out?"

Sure the 7.3 is more prone to cavitation then the 6.9, but does it mean it's going to? No, the issue is exaggerated, keep your SCAs up and drive it. If it ever fails then you can swap out for a 6.9.

 

LOL...... the E4/4R is probably one of the best automatic transmissions there is.

 

Pretty much, theyre not the best stock, but a tranny cooler and a tugger kit and they will do whatever you want within reason.

There is no reason to shy away from the 7.3, that is what SCAs are for.

 

in the past 30 years i have seen 2 IDI trucks suffer from cavitation, and they were both almost new with under 60,000 miles on them.

cavitation is way over exaggerated.
as the other guys said, the E4OD is a good trans out of the box for around 100to 150k miles. once rebuilt with the upgraded parts, they are very good transmissions, and with proper maintenance have no problems going over 200k miles.

 

i personally feel the 7.3l/E40D is by far the best combo of the idi truck era.

in stock form the engine offers higher performance.'92.5-94 they got the updated 3g alts with serp belt system which is far superior to the old 1g alt and v-belts.
all got the updated rockers.all got the updated glow plug system.all got the updated fuel/water separator.for optional '93& '94 turbo engines,the engine internals (though needlessly) got a great deal of many upgrades.

the E40D is rated to out tow any other trans equipped truck right off the lot.
the E40D is the go-to trans for high end engine performance builds,due to an extremely large and strong aftermarket build up base.im talking several hundred ponies and ft-lbs.massive engine builds. pre-95 they had their weaknesses.when updated,they're more than likely to outlast most idi trucks left of the road.

both the 6.9l/7.3l (and any high compression engine,gas or diesel) is prone to cylinder wall attack.this is easily remedied with sca's in the coolant.proper maintenance needs to be done with either engine you chose,so nothing changes there.
search the diesel forums far and wide for a few hours.count how many confirmed 7.3l cavitated engines you can find and post back your results.
(i think i found 5 once.over 3 diesel forums and 7-8 year old threads.1 of which was a 6.9l.i spent 2 hours and just wanted my time back.)

 

Thanks for all the good info guys. Sounds like I don't have too much to worry about in terms of the 7.3 or the auto which is great news.

The guy told me today that the tranny was taken apart in a shop but didn't need to be rebuilt. He did say though that the torque converter wasn't locking but it was replaced at that time and now is working fine. Is it true that the torque converters are the same ones from the 460 gassers and they have problems standing up to the torque of our IDIs? He also said that the PO had put in a "shift kit" but the mechanic had already put the transmission case back together before he could tell him to take it out. What is this about? Is this a red flag that the truck was hot-rodded? I'm not sure what exactly a shift kit is?

 

the installation of transgo's E40D-HD2-D reprogramming kit (shift kit)

 

Thanks for the link. After reading a bit more I can see that it is a good thing. (Although I hope that if the PO installed it themselves they knew what they were doing. )

 

i doubt theyre the same part as the 460, but the torque converters do wear out in these, most people just push them and they grenade and shred the tranny