General question on 97 7.3 Diesel

[ebedsilva]

I'm looking to buy a 97 350 with a 7.3 diesel. It has 275k on it. I have never owned a diesel and looking into this one because we travel about 500 miles with a double axle enclosed trailer (all steel and very heavy not aluminum) about every other month. I figure a diesel would be the way to go and should pay itself off. My truck wastes a lot fuel hauling the trailer. My questions are:
1. how long do these engines generally last?
2. is there anything i should particularly look for when test driving?
3. what kind of fuel mileage does this truck usually get?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[big white bufflo]

ok ? 1 these motor can last with proper care 500,000 there out there it a bullet proof moter and tryed and true they are relible and ez to work on ? 2 talk to owner see what has been done to engine the commen things are crank sensors vacume pumps fuel bowl heaters the trans on these are weak but they hold up try staying away from unit that have performance mods to them a simple tuner is ok and mileage i had a truck that got 19 it had 355 axle i had one with 410 that got 15 as long as u keep it under 70 or 2000 rpm there very good on fuel . the newer truck are good but they do have issues front axles egr turbos head gaskets rear brakes. i have a 350 4dr 4x4 and plan on keeping it a long timei love the body

[ebedsilva]

Originally Posted by big white bufflo

ok ? 1 these motor can last with proper care 500,000 there out there it a bullet proof moter and tryed and true they are relible and ez to work on ? 2 talk to owner see what has been done to engine the commen things are crank sensors vacume pumps fuel bowl heaters the trans on these are weak but they hold up try staying away from unit that have performance mods to them a simple tuner is ok and mileage i had a truck that got 19 it had 355 axle i had one with 410 that got 15 as long as u keep it under 70 or 2000 rpm there very good on fuel . the newer truck are good but they do have issues front axles egr turbos head gaskets rear brakes. i have a 350 4dr 4x4 and plan on keeping it a long timei love the body

Thanks for the info!

[jyount]

Used to have a 97. Loved it. By far the best truck I've owned. It had 130k when I got rid of it, but as for the engine as long as the oil was changed regurlarly (VERY) did I say (VERY) important on a powerstroke; I wouldn't be scared of 275k. Keep in mind though the rest of the truck still has the mileage on it, so find out what has been done to maintain it. The injectors fire off of the engine oil, so it HAS to be clean or it takes them out. Do yourself a favor, goto to dieselstop.com and look it over. Look me up, I had pictures of my old truck on there too. johndeerebones username

[fordtrucksonly]

Check for just a few things, after motor is warm, pull the oil fill cap off and check for excessive blow-by (white smoke), put your hand on the drivers door and make sure it has a smooth idle, visually inspec for leaks etc, generally you can tell how a trucks been treated by how clean it is not only outside, but inside. Good luck!