Had the good fortune of finding a 15 passenger PSD last May. I've decided it's a definite keeper. Actually, I don't know how we survived this long without it...

Have about $2,200 into it on needed parts and service, to date. Here's a list of what I'd like to do, right after I win the lotto... In order, "1" being most want...

(I threw the brake caliper in there because it looked a little iffy on last brake pad service, and I was kicking around the idea of 'upgrading' the calipers, but it doesn't look like there's a whole lot of options out there)

 

wow I bought my 2003 E350 club extended almost 5yrs ago at 360,000 km for $1500 and have only spent maybe 1500 on repairs yet.
1 used superchip tuner $150.
1 napa premium water pump>1 free replacement at 4yrs.
1 napa premium vacuum pump
1 set premium grooved front rotors 2 for 1 deal
1 set premium grooved rear rotors 2 for 1 deal
2 front calipers>loaded
2 rear calipers>loaded
2 sets front brake pads
2 sets rear brake pads
10 good used tires 10ply 16"
1 drag link(wife bent it bouncing off a rock)
1 serp belt
1 fuel bowl drain reseal kit.
van just rolled 490,000 last fillup and is mechanically fit , body falling apart


that vehicle performs well with very minor mods . don't mess with it too much.

 

Wow. I wish I had that kind of luck with trucks.
The last HD truck I bought used- that I swore would forever be unmentioned since selling it- was a huge money pit.
But, in all fairness, my trucks get extreme duty cycles. It's a daily driver and pulls our +9,000lb travel trailer regularly.

Our current 350 I picked up with 50k miles. Basically sat in a church parking lot for 12 years. Guessing not the best maintenance, either. Since it was my very first diesel (I didn't even know diesels didn't have spark plugs until I bought this thing), I jumped in without any research and bought it without knowing what to look for whatsoever.

All in all, I'm very pleased. Pretty sure I dodged some of the more serious bullets one might find on a poorly maintained 7.3. In hindsight, probably would've offered a bit less especially since the dreaded delaminating fuel tank became a problem.

Here's my service log since buying it. You can see the very first expense for fuel filter, trans and oil change was ridiculous because (I didn't know a diesel from a jet airliner) I took it to the local dealership (assuming it would get done right... but, let's not get into that)

 

$348.79 for Transmission fluid change, fuel filter, and oil change from a dealer is a bargain. I flushed my transmission myself and it cost nearly $200 as I used 24 quarts. I spend $80 on my own oil changes. If you change fuel filters yourself, that's another $50.

 

I've owned a Suburban 2500, Excursion 6.0, E-350 7.3, Excursion V10, E-350 V10, and now an E-350 Ext V10 and one thing has always been true: heavy duty trucks are expensive to maintain. They go through ball joints and brake pads like crazy -- esp when they're tow vehicles. And if you don't keep them maintained (ie: fresh fluids, lots of undercarriage washes) they'll fail at the most inopportune time and end up costing you big money.

 

The E-350 owners manual calls out 17.0 quarts for the 4R100. Do u have a larger aftermarket pan?

The problem with having the dealer do that oil change, was they didn't siphon out the HPOP reservoir. According to the previous owner records, the last oil change hadn't been done for about 20,000 miles. So needless to say, it was bad. Only having gasser knowledge, I had no idea there was about 2 quarts of nasty oil still sitting in the top of the engine. When I checked the oil level about 500 miles down the road, it looked like the dealer never changed it. The oil was completely filthy.
Wasn't until I started doing my research (and reading these forums) that I learned this. Oh well, another reason I like doing everything myself.

 

If you understand the HUEI oil system on the PSD you will soon realize siphoning the oil is retarded....People who insist on this have no clue on how the engine really works....and just want to spread this inbred level of misinformation...kind of like the people who insist 911 was an Inside Job and the Moon landings were faked
On my PSD I have had better luck with Hankook and Michelin Tires...All Front end components I changed so far have been Moog....Just read my sig. and you will see what I have ...Since I have the POS E4OD, I have replaced 3 solenoid packs already so a Trans pan with a drain is important..My truck is a construction vehicle so when I replace stuff I buy the best, since I carry a lot of weight and Tow heavy as well ....The only thing I would add is get a Chip or a PCM flash from this guy.....http://www.dp-tuner.com/ better than the Edge I think...Also Install Guages ( Trans Temp / Boost / and EGT ) I have them on a 3 pillar Pod....Good luck

 

You can download the relevant Info here on your Engine Model....Coffee Table Books I explains what I am saying a little bit better ...This guy has a lot of good information too...dieselmann's Page

 

Tnx blageurt

I don't make a habit of skipping oil changes, so I guess I don't know what the best method for making sure *all* the engine oil is changed out. Like I said, when I checked the level on the next diesel fill-up, the oil on the dipstick rag looked like tar. So, either the dealer ripped me off completely and didn't change it... or not all the oil was changed out?
Dunno. Evacuating the HPOP reservoir seemed legit...

Had a respectable source say MOOG aren't what they used to be... recommended ACDELCO... used to be you could just buy the most expensive, right?

Forgot to include the trans gauge... installed a Ford matched the other week. Looks like around town it runs pretty cool-- of course, the weathers been in the 30's...

The muffler looks like it blew out its seam... what could I expect with a straight pipe? This is our DD, and we tow a lot. Last thing I want is to turn the passenger area into a deafening resonance chamber for the kiddies...
Thanks for links..

 

look forget about that 1.5 litres of oil that remains in the head and HPOP...it does not matter...look at the oil flow of the engine in the first link ..it recirculates constantly...if you really want to be **** about it add some seafoam and change the oil again after 2k ....
As far as Moog goes here in Canada they are still OK in my opinion...I believe Ford OEM is Spicer....As far as the Striaght Pipe goes it might be a little noisier ..so maybe Install a Walker BTM ......the main thing is you get rid of the CAT....don't throw it away just replace it with a pipe...some guys wrap the exhaust or you install some of that Dynamat if it gets too loud