How you guys doing on mileage on your 7.3? I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a 7.3 with 290K Seems like a lot of miles; however, thinking on a 7.3 that's nothing. Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks!

 

305k here...

If you search the forum, you will find a thread for "most miles on a 7.3 X" and several MPG threads that talk about fuel efficiency as well. If the truck you are looking at is on the original tranny, budget for a replacement. If it is in good shape, and not rusted out, 290k should not stop you.

 

Thanks Nicmike, What's the typical budget for a new tranny?

 

Are you doing the work? If so, you can get a HD4R100 from Ford for about $3000, add a real diesel torque converter for around $650, add a John Wood valve body for around $250, and then add in another $150 for fluid, gasket and new nuts and bolts to install.

If someone else is doing the work....who knows.

 

Oh dang. That's pretty expensive. Do the trannys usually fail at 300K+?

 

Not necessarily, however....

Many improvements and engineering upgrades were developed for the 4R100 after production stopped. They can really be made into solid transmissions nowadays. Ford is installing all these improvements in their rebuilt units. If the truck is still stock, it will likely be near the end of its service life at 300k miles.

 

300K+ is about the average life span of one of these. Of course, you will find people with 600,000 on the original unit, but those are somewhat rare. Yes I would probably budget for a replacement fairly soon but as long as it works there's no reason to yank it right away unless you plan on taking an RV across the country.

I would not necessarily shy away from a truck with 290k on it, as long as it was reasonably maintained and not abused. I would still expect to have to tackle a few issues as soon as I got it though.

 

I agree, the engine should be fine if properly maintained...the weak link is the torque converter and/or transmission. It also depends on how the truck was utilized prior. My F350 4x4 is in the shop right now getting a rebuilt/upgraded transmission and torque converter with 175,000 on the clock. My wifes Excursion (grocery getter) 2wd has a stock torque converter and transmission with 215,000 on the clock. The key to keeping the 4r100 alive is fresh fluid and low temperatures.

 

I have a friend with a 2000 F250, just over 700 on the original engine. He is a certified Ford mechanic so he does his own PM. Last time I talked to him, he did say its getting tired. Im sure he'll nurse it to a cool mil.

One thing to check, blow-by. Take the oil cap off, turn it over on top of the tube, while engine running kind of hold it over the hole with your finger on the edge, dont push down on it. If the pressure blows it off the tube, you have issues. If it just sort of floats there, you're not too bad. Im sure theres a gauge of some sort but thats my cheap way of measuring.

 

Interesting!

 

You are correct, and I have it.

 

i have just shy of 330k on mine now. running super strong still

 

290k on a 7.3 is like the 100th wash on a pair of Levi's. They are just getting broke in and starting to be comfortable. I have 320k on mine and wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. I would rather have a 18 year old truck with high miles than one that was started to go to the store and shut down continually which is why it has low miles. These motors were made to work and most internal wear occurs at start-up over the lifetime of an engine. High mileage is an indicator it was rolling. Transmissions, ball joints, water pumps, injectors, suspension, hoses, etc need replaced on any 18 year old vehicle, including low mileage ones. The Excursion is the largest SUV made and the 7.3 is the best motor International made. That is a winning combo that is worth fixing the wear items to keep these rigs on the road. Tow like a Superduty and have more passenger and storage room than a Suburban. I will keep my Excursion until it becomes too big a rig to drive as I age. I am 47, so I hope to be in it at least another 20 years.

 

315k on my 2001 F-350 when I sold it. Buyer insisted on having an inspection done at the local Ford dealer prior to buying. Only thing they could find was slightly low HPOP pressure.

 

So when I took the cap off, there was no pressure; however, there was smoke coming out of the tube. IS that bad? New to diesels here. Also, are V-10s out? I heard the motors aren't great, so I wasn't even looking at those. Plus, I heard the gas milage is bad too. I plan on pulling a bumper pull...nothing crazy maybe 30ft, which is why I wanted the 7.3.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark