Looking at a 1990 F350. Thoughts and opinions?

[Lonesome7.3]

We would like to make a deal on this dually. Most likely I will only have a trade to offer because we are broke. However, on the slim chance the guy takes it I want to make sure I am getting into something worth getting into. The truck has a 7.3 IDI and needs tires. As you can see they have small car tires in the front. The drives are very old and in need of replacement as well. The interior is in pretty decent shape but the red is a little over powering. The body has what I consider minor issues with the exception of some flair damage. The engine fires right up and sounded good. I did not see any mods what so ever and very little in the way of leaks. It has a flip up gooseneck hitch that will not flip up. The hitch has obviously not been maintained and is rusted closed. It did have a brake box at one time but all the wires were cut and left in place. I will have to assume all the trailer wiring will have to be redone. Also, the tailgate is trash. It looks slightly bent from the outside until you drop it. It is all mangled. We need this truck to haul so the areas of the most concern are exactly that. Over all I think it would be a good truck with some minor work. However I do not think it is a $4500 truck. It has been treated rough there is no way the detail job on it can hide that. Shoot me some ideas and a ball park real would value.

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[DmaxMaverick]

No way it's worth $4500. KBB only ranges $1200 to $1800 (fair to excellent, this truck is fair, maybe). The 7.3L IDI is a rather anemic powerplant (despite the displacement, monstrous footprint, and mass), and only slightly less anemic with a Banks or ATS turbo and exhaust system (about the only worthwhile mod to be done). They are reliable, though. The (E)4OD trannies were one of Ford's worst trannies, if that's what it has. The previous 3 speed autos weren't much better behind the Diesels. Tires and minor repair alone will exceed the truck's value (not including the purchase price).

[Lonesome7.3]

I agree it is worth no where near the $4500 asking price. I wish there were more trucks in this area to chose from. I really wish I could find an extended cab GMC with a 6.5.

[NH2112]

I wouldn't call the 7.3l anemic, you have to realize that they were designed at a time when nobody expected trucks to be able to accelerate uphill at max GCWR. Numbers are ~185HP @ 3000 & 360 lb-ft @ 1400. The turbocharged versions WERE anemic for turbo'd engines, though, most likely because Ford didn't want the factory turbos to exhibit performance similar to their soon-to-be-released PowerStrokes. One thing to remember is that, just like many of our 6.2ls, these things have been working their butts off for a quarter century or more. I wonder if the same will be said about Duramaxes, PSDs, and ISB/QSB Cummins after 25 years?

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/ford/0703dp_international_diesel_engine/index.html

Value? Entirely subjective. I paid $1500 for mine and have put maybe another $1000 into it, with $500 for a solid flywheel conversion coming up sometime this summer. The value I see in it is not having to pay much more for a newer truck when this one will do 90% or more of what the newer one will do, and just be a little slower and noisier in the process. Plus, there's not a single repair to any of the truck's systems that I can't do in the driveway with basic and relatively inexpensive tools available at any auto parts store.

[Lonesome7.3]

You made some very good points. With some work an old 7.3 IDI can put down some power. They are and can be very reliable and strong. I would still rather find an affordable 6.5 dually though.

[NH2112]

IMO the main benefits of the 6.9/7.3 are the heavier construction (no block cracking here!), the trouble-free piston oil sprayers, and a MUCH better overall setup. You can remove the valve covers without an IP R&R or bending your injector lines, since the injectors are at the tops of the heads. You don't have to pull the intake to R&R the injector pump, just disconnect the wiring & throttle cable, disconnect injector lines from injectors, and remove 2 bolts holding the IP gear housing to the timing cover.

I don't like the glow controller as well as the 85-93 models for the 6.2l, although I haven't had any problems with the one on my Ford. I wish it used hydroboost instead of vacuum-boosted brakes, but again, haven't had any problems with mine. There are 4 V-belts on mine - 2 for P/S, one for fan & alt, and 1 for the vacuum pump - which makes for more hassle when you have to replace them. Cavitation is an issue so DCA or pre-charged coolant is pretty much mandatory, but I don't know why it's not a problem with the 6.2l/6.5l.

Then there are heavy-duty things like a forged steel crank & rods, gear-drive oil pump, and everything generally being much more massive than in a 6.2l/6.5l. I do like the actual Chevy/GMC truck a little better, though - the pre-88 styling is just more appealing to me than Ford's. Of course, GM was still only offering 4-speed manuals in '88, which makes Ford's ZF 5-speed the clear winner even though its 1st gear is only 4.14:1 for the diesel model. :)

[Lonesome7.3]

There is always give and take on this sirt of thing. I do prefer the older engines whether it be a GM or Ford product. Er, I mean GM or International.

[NH2112]

I just drove mine for the first time in 2 weeks since getting my Jeep registered, and it sure felt a lot faster LOL Unfortunately, the DMF hadn't healed itself and is still making a lot of noise. Maybe I'll do the clutch & flywheel job next month. Gotta find where the air's getting in lines, too, I had to crank for about 10 seconds.

[Lonesome7.3]

What do you use it for?

[NH2112]

Just for hauling now & then, I do debris & rubbish removal from time to time. While the Jeep was down I used it as a daily driver.

[rustyk]

I agree there's no truck like that worth $4,500. However, the 6.9/7.3L engines are about as bulletproof as it gets; moreover, they are simple and straightforward.

Years ago, I had a customer with a 6.9 on its third truck (500K+ miles).

[Lonesome7.3]

Just like the 6.2/5's if you take care of them they will run forever. Unlike my Powerstroke that has turned into a money pit.