I've been searching threads on forum on this but was looking for some more direct advice.

Recently purchased a 1999 F350 7.3L flatbed for extremely cheap ($500). The previous owner was a farmer who used it rarely(126,463 miles on it when I bought it). He had multiple issues with it and kept the maintenance records and it looks like the dealerships mechanics could never get it fixed.

Issues its having: Excessive blowby,excessive smoke (white/blueish white sometimes) tends to stop once warmed up(30-45 minutes)and random stalling whether during idle or driving(happens maybe once every few days).
I recently changed(yesterday) all the fluids, oil(5w40 Royal Purple), transmission flushed and filled, and coolant. I put on 75 or so miles and oil dropped a bit but teani amd coolant are the same. Going to drive it to 250 and recheck the fluids today.
Its had injectors changed at 124,500 miles(2017), CPS changed 2 times, fuel diagnostics and other sensors changed. The only thing not touched ever was the IP for the most part.
Outside of a 6.354 perkins I've never messed with a diesel. Should I start by checking the IP/timing? Or where would be the best place to start? I plan on doing a complete overhaul(stage 2 injectors, performance transmission, complete engine overhaul including performance pistons heads etc)at somepoint but would prefer to wait until this coming winter.

Thanks guys,


PS if anyone is looking for pre 1990s perkins parts etc let me know. I spent ages finding parts for mine in the US before I finally found a scrap yard with them in devent condition.

 

Got to see if its oil or fuel causing the smoke. I would check the glowplug relay first cause its easy. They smoke a while if they arent warm. Could have a hole in a piston, especially if it feels like it has a miss, oil analysis will show lots of fuel in the oil.

 

Will it blow the oil cap off when you remove it and turn it upside down with the engine running?
What did the fuel filter look like when you changed it? If it was black, you may have oil getting into the fuel system, which is a sign of injector o-ring failure.
Pull the boot off the turbo and see if the turbo wheel has signs of wear. That would be a sign of a faulty air filter.
A sticking IPR can cause some of the issues you mention.
I would also like to know who did the injectors, and what injectors were used.
The Under Valve Cover Harnesses could also be a problem.