Hello all,

This site has been a wealth of knowledge and I thank everyone for the time and effort that goes into some of your posts.

I have 2 trucks currently, 1 is a 2000 f250 with 90000 miles. The other is a 1999 f350 with over 200000 miles. I'm keeping the f350 because it has DRW and a flat bed with work boxes. My plan is to swap the motors if everyone thinks that will be worthwhile. Both have the 7.3 and I'm assuming that both have the same tranny (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm wondering if anyone has a step by step to pulling the motor, trans, or both if it's possible to keep them attached. I saw a blog but it was incomplete. I have 10's if not 100's of questions that may be answered in a post that I haven't located yet. For example, does the motor come out the front or is it lifted out. Are there any special tools that I need that I absolutely can't do without? Things like that.

I also work on e30 BMWs. And there is a wealth of directions with pictures, that is the reason I'm asking before I jump into this. I will be working at a shop on a military installation that seems to have everything excepts speacialty tools.

Any input is welcome. Please tell me if I'm being crazy. I plan on selling the f250. Of course I'll be honest about the mileage, I'm not doing it to make money....I'm doing it to save money on the f350 (out of pocket).

Jason
Baltimore, MD

 

If nobody responds and I do end up tackling this project, I will take pics and try to do a step by step of simply removing and installing the 7.3.

Can someone verify that the 1999 F350 and 2000 f250 will have the same trans, fuel line locations, harnesses, etc so I don't have any huge surprises?

Also any help on gaskets (exhaust), special tools (fuel lines), tricks of the trade, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Jason

 

Welcome to FTE. I'm sure someone smarter than me will be on soon to answer some of your questions. When you pull the motors would be a great time to do some mods.

 

I'm new to the diesel thing, so any mod suggestions and prices if you don't mind, would be a big help.

I think I'm going to switch the transmissions as well. I don't know if there is anything to back it up but it seems like if the motor has 200,000 on it so does the tranny and I'd feel better if they stay together anyway.

Thanks,
Jason

 

Try this link: http://www.dzljim.com/Ford/engine%20removal.htm

If nothing else you will get a laugh out of it.

 

That is a fantastic, and funny, write-up. Does anybody have strong opinions on whether to pull the engine up and out of the truck or to disassemble the front of the truck and pull it out straight?

Also, I've heard that you can unbolt the condensor and compressor and move them aside without evacuating the system. Please correct me if I'm wrong. How much money is it to evacuate and recarge an a/c system? By opening a closed system am I opening a potential can o' worms?

Jason

 

It will be easier to just disassemble the front, been there done that. Its not all that much time to take it off either. Yes you can do like when I did mine and unbolt the compressor and condenser, just wrap the condenser with bubble wrap or something and use a bungee cord to hold it off to the side. Easier and cheaper than evac and charge. Yessir its a can of worms, but easily worked around.

 

Thanks for the tips so far.

Is the fuel line tool the only specialty tool I will need?

Jason

 

It should be I believe, aslong as youve got a pretty good selection of sockets, wrenches and all that good stuff.
I would recommend when you start tearing the stuff down, if its your first time on the 7.3. grab some masking tape and lots of ziploc bags, put a group of bolts for whatever part you took off and label with a sharpee, it helps alot. Goodluck with it!!

 

You can't pull the motor and tranny attached to each other.

As far as the motor goes... you can pull all the AC stuff aside and not unhook anything so nothing will need to be recharged. Remove everything off the front including the top front crosmember. It usually takes us around 6-8 hours to pull a motor. Plus label and bag all bolts, believe me you will thank yourself for that later...

As far as the tranny goes pull it off with the transfercase attached... it will balance perfectly...

I know this is very vague... but just didn't have too much time... Good luck.. If you have any more questions just ask... It won't be too hard to do ... just time...

 

I'm not looking to spend a ton of money, but what are some mods that I can do easier with the motor and trans out?

I read about the quarter trick under the valve covers. What about trans cooler upgrade or any other upgrade while I have parts off?

Jason

 

If I were to do some somewhat cheap things while the motor was out I would stick in a set of headstuds and valve springs. It would be real easy for you to stick on a regulated return. The trans cooler is pretty easy to install ... just go with a 6.0 cooler.

You can always add some additional sound deadening to the firewall and above the tranny...

add a set of bellowed style up pipes or get new donuts for yours...

I will see if I can come up with anything else...

 

If you want to replace the Valve cover gasket and harness I would just get a new one. They are re-designed and not supposed to come un-done. You should be able to get them at international. The 6.0 tranny cooler would be a good choice since you have everything torn apart. Don't forget to stock up on beer......LOL.....