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1999 problems??

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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #1  
kenworthfan's Avatar
kenworthfan
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1999 problems??

Hi guys, Im usually in the 1980-86 forums but Im looking into getting a powerstroke hopefully sometime soon. I was talking to a buddy of mine and he said that he heard the 99s have trouble with there heads because of small head studs, or something along those lines. Is this true? I have been looking into finding one with around 100,000 to 150,000 miles which seems possible, but while im looking I have found 99s with over 400,000 miles which seems to say they aren't to bad. Let me know what you guys have experienced with these and if this is true or not.
Thanks
 
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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 10:58 PM
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From: Millbrook Alabama
Originally Posted by kenworthfan
Hi guys, Im usually in the 1980-86 forums but Im looking into getting a powerstroke hopefully sometime soon. I was talking to a buddy of mine and he said that he heard the 99s have trouble with there heads because of small head studs, or something along those lines. Is this true? I have been looking into finding one with around 100,000 to 150,000 miles which seems possible, but while im looking I have found 99s with over 400,000 miles which seems to say they aren't to bad. Let me know what you guys have experienced with these and if this is true or not.
Thanks
your buddy is wrong. 7.3's have 18 head bolts PER HEAD. Head seperation is not a major concern on a 7.3 until you start pumping upwards of 45 psi of boost.

He may have been refering to a 6.0 which only has 20 head bolts TOTAL.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 11:06 PM
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Thank you very much bdrummonds. I knew the 6.0s had problems like that but I heard him say that about the 99s with the 7.3 and it didnt make since because I know the 97s run forever and it seems the 00s up do also. Thank you for the quick reply also. This maybe a newbie question to these trucks but what is the difference between the 99s and 99.5s?
Thanks again
 
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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 11:11 PM
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Visseroth
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From: Northern Idaho
As with most rigs, maintain oil, keep things running as smooth as possible, don't let it catch on fire, keep the dust out and the 99's are almost as good as the late 99 to 03's, big difference being the rear seats on the super cabs and turbo size. I don't mind my small turbo, after all it's not the size that matters but how you use it, right?!?!?!
 
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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 11:15 PM
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From: Millbrook Alabama
Originally Posted by kenworthfan
Thank you very much bdrummonds. I knew the 6.0s had problems like that but I heard him say that about the 99s with the 7.3 and it didnt make since because I know the 97s run forever and it seems the 00s up do also. Thank you for the quick reply also. This maybe a newbie question to these trucks but what is the difference between the 99s and 99.5s?
Thanks again
No problem KW fan,

early 99s have a smaller turbo, smaller injectors, and smaller HPOP swash plate. The front unit bearing hubs on the 4x4s have to be upgraded to the later models when they go out, which also takes a larger rotor.

now with that being said there is nothing wrong with an E99, but most people end up changing out everything for the later model stuff.

My 99.5 has 303,000 on it and I hope it runs forever..... scratch that, It WILL run forever. Maintenance is the key to these engines, find one that has been taken care of, and you will get many years of service out of it.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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From: Mesa AZ
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I think your buddy is mis-informed. We have lots of 7.3 Power Strokes in our work fleet and not one of them has had any problems holding onto their heads. (The 7.3 Power Stroke was available from 1994 1/2 through 2003). My truck is a '99 and it came with head bolts (not studs).

The 6.0 liter Power Strokes are a different story. They do have a reputation for letting their heads get away from the block.

At any rate, most people here will tell you the 7.3 is your best choice. Not sure where you are located, but if you are near the Phoenix area, there are a couple of 7.3s in the auction this weekend. Arizona trucks rarely have any rust issues.....

Check it out...
Sierra Auction

Last Saturday I was bidding on a nice 1999 F550 4x4 chassis cab with only 90k. I gave up at $5,000. The winning bid was $5,600. (do'oh!) Oh well, maybe I'll have better luck this weekend.
 
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 10:23 PM
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Wow, thank you guys for all the info. Im very impressed with how fast you guys replied and being happy to help. Up at the 80-86 forums people seem to get a little grumpy at times and jump on the newbies. gchavez Im in northwest Indiana but thanks for directing me towards a possible place to buy from.
Thanks again
 
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Old Apr 28, 2010 | 12:02 AM
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The guys here are laid back, easy going and may get annoyed at times with newbie questions but none the less they are great souls here that don't mind trying to help to the best of their abilities. I have enjoyed the company on this forum.
 
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