Possible tractor hauler

I have a chance to buy a 1997 Ford F350 with a 7.3 power stroke, 243,000 mile. This is really a clean truck, with fair rubber, flatbed with gooseneck hitch. The guy is asking $5,500.00. Just thinking that since my F150 will most likely be totaled from the recent accident. This might be a good chance to move up to heavier truck. Is the power stroke from the earlier years a good engine? What issues did they have with this year model trucks?

In my opinion, better than anything Ford is putting in their trucks now..

The only engine issue I know of is the cam sensor. You can just keep a spare they are relatively easy to change. The auto trans is fairly weak, but it survived me. I hada 95 and a 97, never had major issues.

The newer engines have more power, but that is a rock solid engine. That's a bunch of miles, but if it runs and drives good it should serve you well. About the best tell on those is how they start cold. Try to get the opportunity to start it after it sits over night. If it fires right up that's a real good sign.

Whenever I think about buying something used, I ask myself one question. "If I buy this today and decide to sell it tomorrow, would I at least get my money back"

I've never owned anything but Ford Diesel's. Three of em that generation. They're darn good rigs. The only thing I would be scared of is if it has had a performance chip in it. Of the half-million miles I've put on em, the only one that's given me a lick of trouble had a chip in it for about 100,000 miles, until it cracked a piston. They just can't handle the additional heat created, without the intercooler the Superduty's have ...

Ben

If you want a ford you can't find a better engine

We have a '99 F350 with similar mileage- its been a great truck. Starts well, plenty of power (Mrs. WA hauls horses around with it most of the time). Plug it in when its cold, service it regularly. The price seems right. Ours has the 6 speed manual, which I prefer to the automatic, but both are fine.

SOLD! That is a solid truck. As the others said the cam sensor is a weak spot. But 30$ and a 10mm wrench and 2 min and your on the road. I have had 10 of these and loved them all.

Everyone wants the 94 1/2 to 97 Powerstrokes in a 3/4 and 1ton trucks, Very popular truck. The price is a little high but then again there getting harder to find one. One thing I will tell you is that it is cheaper to buy parts from Ford for the engine than the parts house. Oh one more thing they don't like 15w40 Rotella to well from what I found. I looked for 4 years to find my truck and it wasn't easy to find a 96 F350 extend cab 7.3 auto flatbed for $4500. I jumped on it when I found it! I wish I had bought one new when I had the chance. Bandit

If you know what a cam positioning sensor is and carry a spare one with you along with the tools to change it, you'll never have a problem with the one in the truck and will never have to use the spare.

Thanks for the replies. Now if insurance co will settle this claim for a decent price. I will certainly make an offer on it.

I had a 97 3/4 ton with the 7.3 in it. Had a touch over 300000 when I got rid of it. I ran Rotella in it, as well as in my old 91, and if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't use it. My 91 had close to a half million miles on it when I gave up on it. I also owned a 2000 1 ton with a 7.3 in it, which is why I now own a Dodge.
The 97 was a great runner, and got about 20 mpg until I pulled, then it was down around 13.

A fair statement, but.......
Not meaning to start an argument, but when I buy something used, my first few questions are:
1) Do I need it?
2) Will it do the job I need it for?
3) Do I >>LIKE<< it enough to live with it long enough to get my moneysworth?

In 1994 I bought a used 1988 ford f250 with a naturally aspirated 7.3 diesel. This truck had 76000 miles when I got it from a local ford dealer. This truck previously had a front blade on it which I didn't want. Shortly after getting this truck It needed a complete front end rebuild. It soon had brake issues. The rear seals needed replacement as they seeped oil on the rear break shoes. New seals and complete brake job. Come summer we used this truck to pull our 22 foot camper. The temperature gauge came all the way into the hot area. We stopped at the ford dealer in Fergus Falls, MN. They said the radiator needed to be rod out. They should have checked for cavitation of a cylinder or more but they did what they did. After leaving for the remainder of our vacation the truck continued to over heat. I believe the gauge was accurate because the heat pealed stickers off the air cleaner and other places under the hood which were in place before. The steering column was even hot in the cab. This truck had a 3 speed automatic and only got 13 MPG empty or pulling this small camper. Long story short it was traded for a new Dodge. I thought having only 76000 miles it would have had many years of service left. Hopefully your truck is better than mine. Richard

7.3 is a great motor.

LOTS of difference between a N/A '88 Ford and a '97 Powerstroke.

I've owned both.

Ben