1991 F250 7.3 IDI Diesel with AUTO TRANS

[JGrefenstette]

My name is Jim. I a relativly new member. There is a guy i know at work who is selling a 1991 Ford F250 7. 3 liter IDI Diesel, automatic, 4x4, it has almost 270,000 miles on it. He recently replaced the glow plugs and the injector pump. He is asking 4,000 for it.



My question to yall is, are there any specific questions i should ask besides the obviouse, is there anything i should be concerned about or look for in this particular year and model? Also, how much life should i expect out of the trans with almost 270,000 already on it. and is this a resonable price.

Thanks

Id apreciate any input

 

[HGreen]

Having just recently got rid of my 1989 F350 4x4 7. 3 lt diesel with just over 250,000, I may be able to help you. First the Automatic Transmission, in 91 they still had not figured out how to build the E4OD, one of the big problems was they used bushings instead of bearings to support the output shaft. Ask him how many times he has had it rebuilt. It wasn't until the mid-90's that rebuilders and Ford found the fixes which included more bearings and larger oil passages and this wasn't until my third rebuild at about 2 grand each.



Another problem that comes up is from cavitation, that's where bubbles in the cooling system settle on the piston jacket and super heat, and the burst of steam eats away at the wall, eventially they erode a hole and you get fuel or oil in your antifreeze. I never had this problems as I always added Ford's additive, even before they released a TSB.



You get the other routine maintenance items, water pumps, vacuum pumps, axle seals and glow plugs and relay. Really my truck was great, I just got tired of it, and went Dodge for the Cummins.



Hope this helps.

 

[JGrefenstette]

thanks that is a big help.

I apreciate it.

 

[JGrefenstette]

one more thing, he mentioned that the power steering had a dry spot when held dead center. So if your driving down the road and are holding the wheel completely streight it has a slight bit of play in it, he said that it does not have this proble when turning however. Could it possible be leaking powersteering fluid or have a pump thats about to go?

 

[CUMMINS01]

Prob ready for a rebuilt my old 6. 9L was ready at 200k your giving about 2k to much for the truck

 

[HGreen]

The steering box is adjustable for play, there is a screw with a locking nut that stands out when you look at the box from the top. I adjusted mine several times.

 

[JGrefenstette]

Thanks, that sounds easy enough to toy with as far as the steering box goes. Also, about it posibly needing an overhaul? what are some symtoms or telltale signs to look for that would point towards an overhaul? I am mostly concerned about that E40D Trans. but @ 270,000 mi. it just might be ready

 

[bmoeller]

I wouldn't give over $2500 for it, unless it had a fresh engine and transmission. I paid $3800 for my '86 in, '99, I think it was. Turned out to be $2k too much. WAY to much nickel and dine crap. It only had 113k miles on it then.



That I why I bought a different truck. This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. Very repairs. BOMBs on the other hand,... ... ... ... ..... In that case, it has also been my most expensive one I've had. :-laf But, worth every penny.

 

[JGrefenstette]

how much do you suspect a new trans would cost. Also would it be wiser and/or cheaper to put a 5 speed manual in it. I would prefer a manual but my budget wont let me be that picky.

 

[KBennett]

I had a friend that had one and his complaints were poor mileage and no power. He traded it for the Beetle in my signature and I bought the Beetle from him



He is shopping for a Dodge now.....

 

[JGrefenstette]

I just talked to the guy yesterday and he told me the Transmission is origional. Never been rebuilt or replaced. Now with it havin 270,000 on it, that should indicate that the engine hasn't been stressed that much, because those motors will far outlive the trans, and considering that the trans is still origional? That should be a good thing in a way. However could that also mean that the trans is just about to go? whats yalls thought on it? oh and he also said that it has never failed to start right up and never stalled out. he did mention however, that he had the ignition replaced and eversince, to start it you must have the steering wheel in the streight position and/or pull up on the gearshift for the switch to line up. Is this somthing to be concerned about, or just a little querk that should be overlooked.

 

[dpuckett]

Also ask about the heads. I'm not sure exactly, but they had problems with the 7. 3 IDIs heads. Had to do them about every 180K like clockwork. I think the bottom end holds up well enough; the top end and fuel system leave lot to be desired. I'll second the low power and poor MPGs.



Still no Cummins, but I'd take one over a gasser.



If you can live with an older 4x2 Ram, I'll have one for sale soon. PM for details.



Daniel

 

[JUeckert]

dont know if it helps,but i sold a 90 model just like what your looking at - the auto and 4wd option for 2500. 00 a little over a year ago. truck had nearly 400k on it and was fairly clean. had lots of calls about it,even with the miles. if the coolant system has been fairly maintained and the truck checks out after a long test drive,offer him 3000. 00 /3200. 00 for it a see if he bites.

 

[Got Smoke?]

My personal opinion is to walk away from that truck. Period.



My cousin who is one of my best friends has a 92 F250 IDI 7. 3 with auto. In the past 2-3 years he has invested back into the truck what he originally paid for it ($7K 5-6 years ago). Cavitation got him about 2 years ago now, and the thing sat in my basement for nearly a year while he worked on it occasionally have to figure most of it out himself as two mechanic "friends" individually started helping at certain points... . then disappeared unexpectedly. He had to have the back to cylinders sleeved, and new cylinder heads because his old ones were cracked or just to worse for wear. He spent I think between $3K & 4K just on the motor rebuild, and he really didn't do anything spectacular.



Then very shortly after he got it back on the road the trans crapped out. There went another $2800 for a Jasper HD rebuild (Goerend was out of cores, he wanted to go that route) which so far has held up great.



Oh yeah right before the motor went out a couple years back his left rear axle just walked out one day. The spanner nut? Not sure if that's it, but the threaded nut that goes on the end of the axle tube, I think it has some kind of bearings in it? Locked up, split, and became welded to his axle tube. He got it off, but the tube was deformed so he had to salvage another sterling 10. 25 rearend (Thanks MoreMPH of 2L Motorsports).



Oh yeah then there's the absolute JUNK Dana 50 TTB front axle. The pinion bearing locked up in the front axle 3 years or so back and basically destroyed everything in the front chunk. So he was 2wd in a 4wd truck for 3 years while waiting to come across a good deal on a Dana 60. Luck finally came through and he just got his straight axle conversion done about 4-5 months ago.



So he's invested more than $7K back into a $7K truck in 5-6 years? He won't buy another truck because he "loves his truck"... . I've given up hope on convincing him, however..... he swares if that international boat anchor ever craps out again its getting a CTD! Oo. He's got a little sense. :-laf



WALK AWAY!

 

[JGrefenstette]

haha. well i sure appreciate the responses, i got exactly what i was looking for. I know its no CTD. Its just the next best thing to a gas.

Dpuckett, how much are you asking for the ctd you want to sell. Got any info bout it.

 

[Dl5treez]

... and the thing sat in my basement for nearly a year while he worked on it occasionally have to figure most of it out himself as two mechanic "friends" individually started helping at certain points... . then disappeared unexpectedly.

Surely Harris Diesel Performance could've got that hot rod up & running, no?







:-laf

 

[JGrefenstette]

ya fellas thanks for the help, i think ima walk away from this one. Hopefully ill be able for find a 1st gen. for cheap that will be not all played out.

thanks again.