Hey guys,
Just to let you I had a 06 f350 CC 6.0 loaded but had to get rid of it (Trying to by a house) and I decided to buy a 97 F250 7.3 with 48k on it. I know the 6.0 inside and out but not the 7.3, So thats why I am aksing for advice.

1st question is what kind of gears are in a C5 rear axle, I think its limited slip not sure though?

2nd Question- How do i change the fuel filter on the 7.3?
3rd Question- My tranny shifts real hard from 1st to 2nd- Is this normal?
4th Question- If I do a tony wildman chip will I toast the stock tranny?

Sorry for all the questions at once I didn't want to spread them all out. These are the main concerns I am asking for advice right now. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Greg

 

this site will answer most of your questions

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/_i...az/index3.html

 

C5 = 4.10 LIMITED SLIP

The 7.3 is a very reliable engine but it has it quirks. But as you know, posting your questions here ususally get it running OK.

The fuel filter is under the decorative cover on top of the engine. Removing it makes the job a little easier. You can inspect everything a little better too. I ditched mine along time ago. Use a long screw driver across the lid to help get the top unscrewed. The little yellow lever is for draining the filter. Put something under the front of the engine to catch the fuel. I momentarily open the drain while the engine is running to get the crud out of the bottom of the housing. Shut it down, drain the housing, replace the filter, fill the housing with fuel and restart. It will run bad until the air is purged. ~2-5 minutes.

The hard shifting tranny may be a sonnax kit iinstalled in the valve body. It's not normal but better than slipping. BTS sell a great valve body ($225). Search this forum for BTS (Brians Truck Shop). If you are adding a chip or injectors be sure to let BTS know, he'll get the right valving for your application. That may have answered you last question, Tony's chips can hurt your tranny, as does any power adder. These e4ods are the weak link in a great power train IMO.

 

Yep what those guys said. I will add a few things though. AS far as the tranny shifting hard on 1-2 it seems to be pretty common. My 95 did it my 97 not so much. I kinda liked it and wished the rest of the shift were like that. a BTS valve body will probably help and it will help your tranny last longer no matter what you do for a ship or not.

you might already know this but I will say it anyway. If you do get a chip there are few things that need to be addressed on these trucks first. First off the down pipe if junk! you need to get a 3" round DP. you will see what I mean when you look at the DP especially from underneath. The second if the air filter box. It is also junk. It flows more dirt than it does air. You will want to look into a kwik filter or a full blown tymar intake then at the very least you need a pyrometer to keep an eye on the exhuast temps. and your auto tranny will appreciate a trans temp gauge. A boost gauge is optional but nice.

 

yeah pretty much they just answered all your questions, but i have one lil thing to add that saves a couple pennies... never EVER get a fuel filter from autozone... and also NEVER get an aftermarket fuel filter cap... always get the ford ones, i've had problems with the aftermarket ones leaking... and the autozone fuel filters are about 1/3-1/2 the size of the ford ones..

 

I have found that NAPA has good filters. They are WIX and they do offer the fuel filter cap. But I haven't used their cap only the filtes so far.

 

Thanks for your help fellas and tjbeggs, I was already ahead of you on the exhaust and air intake. I have a 3" downpipe going into a 4" with dual 6" stacks and I have a AFE stage 2 cold air intake on it too. I did that stuff the first day I got it lol.

 

Good to hear. I never know who knows what so I error on the side of giving too much info rather than just expecting them to know! Welcome to the OBS(old body style) family!

 

Check out these pics. Courtesy of tjbeggs.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...99659029QDJYXr