How big of a job is pulling the valve covers?

[Glenstr]

I'm thinking this should be one of my nice-weather (not -30) to-do projects this year. My 99 just turned over 440,000 kms and the last time I had it in the shop the mechanic said that problem I was having at the time could have been due to the wiring harness under the valve covers (turns out it wasn't) and that it was a pricey job to get done, I forget what he said they were worth at the dealer but they were not cheap in any case.

So I am thinking that perhaps I should replace them while its nice, and the old engine is getting quite a few km's on it. So my questions:

Where is a good alternative to buy these harnesses other than Ford? Are the 3rd party ones as good?

Just how big a job is this? Just a quick glance under the hood it looks pretty daunting..

thanks!

[F350_6]

You can get the updated wiring harness from International for much less. Tell them it's for a 2000 T444e motor. Pulling the valve covers isn't too bad. It's getting around all the junk in the way that makes it a pain. It can be done without too much difficulty, it just takes time.

I'd recommend you stop by your local Ford dealer and look under the hood of the 08 trucks first. After you see that nightmare you'll feel much better poking around under the hood of your 7.3

[Jett]

I would agree this is a warmer weather job. Not too bad, you just have to remove the intercooler tubes and a couple other things like the CCV. Use 1/4" drive socket for the valve cover bolts tucked up under the firewall. Valve cover gasket is reuseable.

I used zipties or I've read you can use a couple dots of superglue on the Under Valve Cover Harness to make sure they don't come loose (as they tend to). I think there might be additional clips available too?

While you're in there at least test your glowplug resistances, or just go ahead and replace them. I got factory replacements on eBay for pretty cheap. $8ea maybe? If you do replace them, use a piece of tubing to thread them in and out after starting them with your socket wrench

[jackson007]

Well the passenger side is by far worse than the drivers side. I just replaced my glow plugs yesterday and it probably took me 3 hrs. Just don't be afraid of taking things off. According to the manual your supposed to take off the heater hoses but I didn't want to deal with the mess and hassle so I just moved them out of the way and worked around them. Hope you have little fingers.

[klhansen]

Originally Posted by F350_6

I'd recommend you stop by your local Ford dealer and look under the hood of the 08 trucks first. After you see that nightmare you'll feel much better poking around under the hood of your 7.3

AMEN to that!

I've had my VC's off a number of times. Gets easier each time, somehow (and no, I haven't left anything off ). Not that bad a job, can be done in an afternoon, but a buddy helping out makes it go easier. Get a pad for laying on top of the engine, and a short ladder.

UVC harnesses from Int'l are the way to go. #1830844C93
They're the SAME ones that Ford sells for about 3x as much. Latches are improved on them, so there's less danger of them coming loose. And at your mileage, definitely just replace the GP's.

[Glenstr]

Thanks all, for the good advice. I will check with Diamond International on my next trip to the city. I saw them on ebay once, but I forget where and I'm not sure I want to get them from there in any case.