Besides a radiator and water pump what other things could be issues of the following?

Ford F250 Diesel 7.3L Truck.
Radiator and water pump leaks water badly. In addition, it also leaks water (badly) somewhere near the rear of the engine.

 

I thought they were 6.9l until 1987 or '88 ???
Not really a diesel guy, but If I were faced with a water leak at the back I would be looking with a mirror at the head gasket and freeze plugs.

Maybe you can rent a cooling system pressure tester and put some dye in the coolant?

Keep on top of the coolant situation, use low silicate antifreeze and SCA additive when you get your leaks fixed.

Welcome to the forum!
There is a pre Powerstroke diesel forum here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum117/

 

There is an oil cooler on the driver side of the block that has both oil and coolant plumbed into it. These are prone to leaking. Other areas, like core (freeze) plugs and head gaskets can also be a source for coolant leaks near the rear of the engine. I believe there is even core plugs in the ends of the heads, as well as back of the block inside the bellhousing area.

 

I would fix the obvious leaks first. I do not like diagnosing leaks at the rear when there are leaks at the front. Any leaks at the front(oil , water, etc.) will blow back when driving and make it look like there is a leak at the rear.

I have even seen rearend pumpkins that look like they have a oil leak, only to find out it was a engine oil leak and it was blowing back and hitting the rearend housing and dripping from there.

 

Being that this is an "86", the 7.3L diesel must been a drop in for I think a 6.9L was only available for an "86".

Is there anything unique or difficult about replacing the radiator?

Is replacing the water pump similar to a car with a timing belt?

Is there anything unique or difficult about replacing the water pump?

Also please make any other related suggestions.

 

Nothing unusual about it. Changing the water pump should be easier than doing one of those foreign cars with a timing belt. One trick to it though that will hold up the whole process. Ford likes to use those thread-on clutch fans. This is one of them. On my truck I had to take a torch and make the very large wrench it took to loosen the fan from the waterpump. I made one wrench and then made another piece that bolted to the pulley bolts to hold it. A very large set of channel locks may work. And read the note on the fan shroud. These are left hand threads, so turn it backwards to get it off.

For the radiator, its very very heavy. And it's a little bit expensive at the parts store. But they carry them.

 

OK, Thanks so far for all the info. I'll move over to the https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum117/[/quote] recommended link.