I had a small weep thru the weep hole. Ended up changing the pump (BMG), thermostat, belt, several pullies, and temp sending unit. Rented the wrench from O'Rielly's. After getting the fan and shroud removed the job went fairly easy. For some reason I had to fight a leak at the thermostat but after I resolved that all was good. I would have like to have changed the fan clutch but cheaped out. Maybe this fall I'll do the fan clutch and vacuum pump. I hope I can just drive it for the rest of the summer and not work on it till the fall. I also went with Nexan Roadians 235 85 16, Walmart installed them, the installer put 85 lbs in them I felt like I was on 4 ice skates. Now I'm running 45ibs it rides good to me.

 

 

Yes the truck has 3:55 gears, the 235 85 16 are OEM. Never the less I thought the back end was gonna break loose on the ride home from Walmart. All better now. As far as the vacuum pump I will buy a new one from rockauto not rebuilt, I have access to a press to change the pully, but for now I'm comfortable with the accessories up front.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-7-3L-P...IAAOxyg6pRGCX8

That worked great on my truck, even with a new pump and new stat housing.

Vacuum Pump Alliant Power Stock Replacement Ford Powerstroke 1999-2003 7.3L That is the same pump I paid through the nose for at the dealer...and cheaper than Rockauto with actual customer service! You need a puller and installer, not a hydraulic press. Just use that cheapo Harbor Freight kit.



Would 265/75R16 fit the stock wheels? WAY more selection in a common size. I dumped the 215/85s on my dually because there are nearly no quality brands in that size anymore.

 

Wow I wish I knew about that kit. I was getting worried I was never gonna get that leak stopped.

 

The kit may not be needed. I ran into the same problem yesterday about the leaky housing then had to think back about the last time I changed the thermostat. There are 2 kinds of thermostat gaskets. One that looks like a square O ring that sits on top the gasket and it leaks. (most common, that why so many people have trouble) The other gasket is thicker and has a split on the inside that the thermostat fits in. That gasket does not leak. You have to do a little digging to find who has the correct gasket. I reused the old good one.