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7.3 bottom end question/verification

4.8K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  hansel  
#1 ·
I lost two cylinders in my 2001 7.3 F350. Am looking to pick up a used block and have a chance to grab a 7.3 out of an Ambulance. Have 18 to chose (100-130k miles) from but they are late 90's models. I've read and been told all 7.3's are the same in the short block except for the use forged or powdered rods.
The heads and all other accessories are interchangeable with my 01 to the older block. Trying to pick up engine asap just want one final source to give a thumbs up before I drop 700 on an engine and a few grand on goodies before I drop it back in.
I read an older thread on here about serial numbers for forged rods and how to check the inspection port.
Other than head gaskets,Arp studs, a Stealth Hpop, bigger intake plenums some seals and new injectors and glow plugs any other easier to do out of truck bolt on's I should add to the list also.

Thanks..
 
#2 ·
I didn't see one question mark...so what is it?
 
#3 ·
You need a DI block, not an IDI block. The compression ratio is different. Also, there were some minor block upgrades I believe starting in 97 that reinforced crank areas and cylinder head tie in. So, I'd look for a 97-00 block if you want to get the forged rods and the updates.

If you are planning on doing bellowed up-pipes, I'd get them bolted up before putting the transmission back on. Also, have the heads checked out and new injector cups put in before you put it back together.
 
#4 ·
You should look for a 99 or later block (up to 01 for forged rods, or inspect for forged rods to be sure). There were some differences between 94-97 OBS blocks and the Superduty (99+) ones, so that the crankshaft and block are not interchangeable between the older and newer style. Also if you wind up with a 94-97 Powerstroke block, you'll need to block off the fuel pump port in the valley. The pump on the OBS trucks were driven by the camshaft, while your truck has an electric fuel pump.

Like RT said, be sure it's not an IDI block. It has to be a Powerstroke (94+)
 
#5 ·
The engines I'm looking at are out of 96/97-2000 ambulances all are DI. Maybe one was older and IDI but had like 600k on it. The rest are fairly low (200-300k) and one for some reason is at 156k with all the maintenance paper work (no Speedo change) just low miles.
Like I said just trying to get my ducks in a row on what to grab and look for or avoid before I drop 700 on a block and 4-5 k on parts for my build up.
69mach1377, sorry about punctuation earlier I was on my IPhone, hot and walking around a junk yard.
I'm about to snatch my engine and see what the real internal damage is and just do a rebuild on my bottom end. It's an early 01 so should have every thing I need. I just get the feeling I'm gonna be pulling shrapnel out of my oil pan.
Thanks for the help...
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the help I ended up with a 00 Powerstroke with 168k started up and ran after 4-5 turns. Had all the service records in the cab, oil was changed every 2500-3k miles everything looked clean so I'm gonna start pulling my engine next week and swapping out parts and doing some up grades( head gaskets, ARP studs, injectors,Stealth pump,etc).
Are the 2001 heads on my engine better/worse or is it a must change? Haven't set them side by side just trying to figure out what I have to change and which parts are better from either newer or older engine..
 
#7 ·
There's no difference in those heads. Are you building a dragster? Otherwise no need for the studs.


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#8 ·
I can't give you much, but what I can give you is I use too drive an ambulance for almost 17yrs. and because the mileage is 130,000 according to them, that's road mileage, that does not take into the fact that the trucks runs while on scene, and at the hospital. If I was picking one I'd have a machine shop fresh'n it up, I would not bolt it up without having the lower end refreshed. Those engines have had a hard life, trust me:yesnod: