I've found that there is limited info on the 7.3 vans so I am going to start posting informational threads as I go along.

This is about the infamous intake resonator.

I pulled all of my intake box out from under the hood, found that every clamp is in the most inconvenient location possible so a stubby straight blade or a midget nut driver is a must to get all the intake plumbing clamps off.

Once I got the box loose from the intake it became clear that it wouldn't come out from the engine bay, not enough room in the front and not enough room over the turbo so be prepared to remove the downpipe, I only had to remove the clamp - I did NOT need to remove the pipe completely just slip it down a bit and the box comes out.

Now to plug the hole that is left in the main intake tube...
I've heard of some guys using PVC and a cap but the temperature concerned me since PVC can potentially soften up and I didn't want pcv magma sucking into the turbo. I opted for a 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" exhaust adapter and a piece of steel plate to weld over one end. The 2 1/4" end fits into the intake hole perfectly and the taper to 2 1/2" acts like a flange to keep the pipe from being sucked into the intake under WOT.

Re-installing was fairly easy, the engine pull plate that international puts on these 7.3's happens to be a 1/2" In front of the fixed intake coupler (the one that houses the ccv fitting) on top of the engine and it's nearly the same elevation so slipping the main tube that goes from the filter box to that junction back on was a PITA, I recommend some WD40 (or wet graphite, which is all I had on hand).

I have long been skeptical of the way ford added the giant plastic shroud I front of the airbox that routes the airflow to pull intake air up from the front of the radiator so I re-installed the airbox assembly but not the plastic shroud, if you do this you should note that the hood prop rod attaches to that shroud so be prepared to adapt or leave the rod flopping.. Easy fix but worth mentioning.

RESULTS! The truck had a BIG power improvement and I can honestly say it's QUIETER without that damn resonator box on it! I've heard guys say it's too loud without the box... NOT my experience at all! I'm stoked, more power, less BS in the way and I imagine better fuel economy (I will check and report back on that). I have pics of the plug I made but don't know how to upload them so feel free to advise.

 

Good post. Of course pictures would make it better.

 

/\ What he said. Upload your pics to Photobucket, and link to them here by using image tags. Here's an example, but you'll want to remove the spaces between the brackets:

[ img ] url to your photo [ /img ]

Mark

 

I know, I didn't take as many as I should have ... And I don't know how to upload them from my phone.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a shot

 

Welcome to the world of E350 Vans w7.3's!

 

I had 2 vans that I took the box out of. I never checked fuel mileage after it. I don't think they were any louder. But more room under there.

 

More follow-up, I decided that I needed more air so I got out the dremel and hacked up the airbox some more. definite change in airflow, I can now hear my turbo from under the hood a little bit and I get a bit more growl from the air box than previous - not in a bad way, kind of reminds me of the AFE on my '97 F350. So result is good, still trying to carve out some time to build a complete airbox for this thing. pic to follow...

 

I just realized I totally abandoned this thread

I will breathe new life into it with pictures and stuff this week. Even months later I cannot say enough about the airbox mods, they are a must in my opinion.

 

Some teasers until I get the intake pics dug out.





On the Metolius River near Sisters, OR





High-up on the Columbia River rim in Northern Washington.





On the Willamette River in Independence, OR

 

Nice looking van. Is that a quigley conversion or a sportsmobile? I thinks that's what they are called at least.

 

Thank you! It's a Quigley, works great. My only complaints are the control arms are not sufficient and have already been welded up once and the they need an additional steering stabilizer added to smooth out the wheel on the highway. Otherwise it's been a fantastic truck.

 

I always have said if I had to have a van which I hope doesn't happen (no offense) I would go that route. I just like the way they look. They look really good with a brushguard on them

 

I totally agree, we needed another family truck and I knew we needed more seats than another crew cab could offer so we could haul the kids and grandparents around during the holidays and stuff. And a minivan was NEVER an option! So it came down
to a 7.3 excursion or a 4x4 7.3 van. I had to travel 2000 miles to get one but I'm glad I did. One of the next mods is an iron cross brush guard/winch bumper combo. I seriously love this thing.

 

More true words have never been spoken. I tell my wife the same thing. And that is one sweet looking brushguard