Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Some Questions?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 17, 2007 | 10:38 PM
  #1  
BigDog83's Avatar
BigDog83
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Gilbertsville, PA
Some Questions?

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
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 10:47 PM
  #2  
61 uni's Avatar
61 uni
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
From: East Tn
this site will answer most of your questions

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevebaz/_i...az/index3.html
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 07:27 AM
  #3  
Cuda_jim's Avatar
Cuda_jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
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.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 10:13 AM
  #4  
tjbeggs's Avatar
tjbeggs
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Club FTE Silver Member

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.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 12:42 PM
  #5  
glasseater's Avatar
glasseater
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,842
Likes: 2
From: hillsborough nj
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..
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 12:51 PM
  #6  
Neal 97 250's Avatar
Neal 97 250
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
Likes: 5
From: Johnson City, TN.
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.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 08:45 PM
  #7  
BigDog83's Avatar
BigDog83
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Gilbertsville, PA
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.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 08:55 PM
  #8  
tjbeggs's Avatar
tjbeggs
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Club FTE Silver Member

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!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old May 18, 2007 | 10:13 PM
  #9  
10bands's Avatar
10bands
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Check out these pics. Courtesy of tjbeggs.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...99659029QDJYXr
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:40 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE