Red-headed step child
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From: Seneca, SC
Red-headed step child
As I read through some of these post I often here that the 2001 model 7.3s have a few differences when compared to the others. They are often called the red-headed step child of the 7.3l diesels. Can anyone explain to me what is different about them and whether or not it is anything that I should be worried about?
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From: 21791
Simply put, they have the goofy mechanical diode in some of that year's transmissions, and thats the only year where it's debatable if the truck has PMRs or Forged rods.. However, ive been around here a while and ive never heard it referred to as that...???
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From: Seneca, SC
Other than pulling the engine apart, how would I know if has PMRs or Forged rods. I would like to assume that I will never reach the magical 400 hp mark, but just in case I ever do it would be nice to know if it does have PMRs or Forged rods.
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From: 21791
Hook it, I'll pull it.
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From: Grand Lake, La.
Thats what I did with mine. Pulled the plug and used a magnifying mirror to see the nuts. Took me 5 times hitting the starter to get a positive view. I do have forged rods. There is a few of us on here that have 01' trucks with forged rods. My build date was 8/00'. I have no problems with my trans as of right now, but I am putting a few more horses on it so,,,,,
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From: Seneca, SC
I just took a look at my build date and it is 9/00. Maybe I will end up being one of the lucky ones who has the forged rods...
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Here is the easiest way to figure out which rods you have.
Here is the engine serial number break down for the forged and powdered connecting rods. Check you engine serial number on the valve cover build sticker or you need to look at the block where the oil cooler is bolted to it .
Start of production thru 1425746 are Forged Rods
1425747 thru 1440712 are Powdered Rods
1446713 thru 1498318 are Forged Rods
1498319 thru final production run are all powdered
Or you can break them then you know what you have-Ha Ha-Just kidding
The reason for the break in serial numbers is a "test" run to be sure there were not any issues with the powdered rods. Once the process was production tested the powered rod process was used until the end of production.
Start of production thru 1425746 are Forged Rods
1425747 thru 1440712 are Powdered Rods
1446713 thru 1498318 are Forged Rods
1498319 thru final production run are all powdered
Or you can break them then you know what you have-Ha Ha-Just kidding
The reason for the break in serial numbers is a "test" run to be sure there were not any issues with the powdered rods. Once the process was production tested the powered rod process was used until the end of production.
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So your saying that even though the break in the serial numbers where they went from Forged, to PMR, back to Forged then back to PMR's, that there was still some motors that had the wrong serial number from IH and had PMR's anyways in the first/second forged group?
Just a little confused, since I thought before there was a list, but it didn't show for the little test they performed which mislead a lot of people. Or has this list been used now for awhile and been proven wrong?
I would assume the 0 to be a typo, since the rest of them just go one right after the other.
Just a little confused, since I thought before there was a list, but it didn't show for the little test they performed which mislead a lot of people. Or has this list been used now for awhile and been proven wrong?
I would assume the 0 to be a typo, since the rest of them just go one right after the other.
