[xj4life]

Well i posted up a few weeks ago that i was looking at buying a '90 F-250 with the 7.3L off a friend. You guys gave me some good advice and i've searched through old and new posts and have learned a lot about the truck. I've driven the truck a few times now and gone over it pretty throughly. Got a few more questions now.

1) It looks like the valve covers are leaking. Not sure how long its been like this (97K miles on the truck) but he said its been like that since he's owned it (2 years). I'm not to worried about it, but i'd like to take care of it at some point. How hard it is to put in new gaskets? Driverside looked easier than the pass side.

2) Tranny is an auto. If you really get on the skinny pedal it shifts smooth. If your just puttin' around the 1-2 up shift is hard. Don't think this is a bad thing but i figure i'd get your guys opinion as i'm not a engine/tranny guy.

3) Lastly I was going to check the coolant for SCA's but didnt have time to pick up test strips. I do plan on checking them before i give him the money. I did do a visual check, coolant color looked good, nice and green. Can the color tell me what brand it is so i make sure i get the correct test stips? I'm guessing its the Ford Coolant with DCA-4 so i need the Fleetguard strips.


Thanks

 

[cdnsarguy]

Valve covers are easy but you will have to remove the filter to do the pax side, then thread it back over the intake and out. I use Felpro VC gaskets torque is 6 ftlbs, but retorque a week later. You may even get away with just tightening the old ones. If yours has the GP controller ground wire attachec to the VC don't forget to re install it or you'll be back asking why no gp ops.

Tranny sounds like the FIPL may need to have the volt setting checked, you can search for that.

My view is with that mileage and if driven easy by PO I would not worry about low/no SCA but thats me. Green would indicate standard low silicate A/F just what we use, well most of us. Brand is not decernable in the green, if he got it from Ford that is what I use. IH (fleetguard) or NAPA (fleetguard in house brand) usually have the correct SCA test strips.