I am currently putting the 164,000 mile 97 F-250 Supercab 4x4 back on the road, had it off for several reasons, but its time to drive it soon. This truck is STOCK, no mods other than the 6637 air cleaner, and a rebuilt trans 40k ago


I need to pull the engine to do the oil pan, it leaks. I figure this is a great time to do some of the other maintenance items while I have it on the stand.


here is a list of what I am thinking of doing, while on the stand and out of the truck. But would like some feedback.


Oil Pan,
3" down pipe install
glow plugs uvch and gaskets of course
clean the valley, fuel bowl, new hoses.
Fuel pressure spring (which one)?
maybe replace mechanical pump while it's out
re-seal turbo
disable or delete exhaust back pressure valve on turbo.
flush the entire cooling system
rebuild the oil cooler, It's not leaking but I figure I would rather do this while on the stand.
fuel fittings on the head? Banjo's maybe drill out maybe not.


I have been away from the forum and the 7.3 world a while. I do not want to tune this thing right now, and don't want to go crazy with mods. But I figure since the truck is 19 years old its a good time to freshen the old girl up.


I have some body issues, and minor rust to tackle as well but this may not happen until the fall after I drive this summer.

 

Put new O rings in the fuel and oil plugs in the back of the heads. Put on bellow up pipes. Pull the turbo and put in new O rings under it. Maybe a new rear main seal?????

 

You don't need to pull the motor to do a oil pan. Just loosen the motor mounts and come along the motor up about 6 inches. This is how we did my dad's 96 7.3.

 

Bellow up pipes? Do explain more on this!

 

Reseal every seal there is to the engine you will be glad you did.

Bellow up pipes (exhaust manifold to turbo collector) the ones in our trucks have a doughnut type seal that wear into the oem uppies and you end up with exhaust escaping and doesnt let your turbo work efficient (high egts). Bellows use an accordian type that expands with the heat cycles and instead of the doughnut, it uses a stainless steel gasket so in other words its worry free

 

Thanks for explaining that, I couldn't have done better myself ! LOL

 

You are right, but it is a heck of a lot easier to do the work on an engine stand and gaurantee yourself no leaks. Then like mentioned some 20 year old things can be checked/replaced easier too. You can also cut the crossmember and rebuild after but I wouldn't do that or recommend it either. It has been done many times though.

 

Thanks so far guys!
I will NOT cut the crossmember, not even an option I have failed vehicles on state inspection for this reason!


Great Idea on bellows was not aware of this
Turbo Yes will re-seal that clean it up, maybe new wheel?
Plugs and orings yes
Rear Main? How much of a pain?

 

Rear main is easy but it hardly ever fails.

 

The hardest part about the rear main is getting the old fomoco goop off lol