Ok...questions about FORDS...please don't laugh
 

I have a few questions...

We have 3 ambulances sitting out here. My boss has decided that a more aggressive maintenance schedule is needed.

These are all three 7.3 turbo power strokes. One is a 97, one is a 99, and one is a 01. The 97 and 99 are both E350 and E450 respectively, and the 01 is a F350.

What would you use in the transmissions on these vehicles?

What goes in the rear end?

Anybody know what the severe duty schedule is or what would someone reccommend?

Anything else you can put up would be of great help.

Thanks!!

a bomb....never had luck with ford trannys

Whattya mean what would you use in them?

If these are ambulances and service vehicles, I would buy the service manuals and put exactly what is recommended by the factory in all fluids. Remember that this type of vehicle comes with liabilities. If you have a breakdown or failure that causes someone to perceive the failure was caused by incorrect fluids, then you can bet that a Lawyer will turn over every rock looking for an angle. So I would stick strictly to the factory recommendation word for word. just my view

Use Schaeffer ATF in the tranny, will make run nice and cool. I think they have a website. The rears are probably limited slip so you will need friction modifer in you gear oil, not sure on wieght. Not sure on matenience schedules, should be the same as any other vehicle.

Thanks guys...

I agree with the tranny bomb...:D one has had four trannys in it since it was new!

I tried to convice the boss that the Dodge severe service schedule was the one to use, but he doesn't seem to think that provides enough "weight".

Beats me...the schedules that Ford has in it's book suck.

If they where mine and I didn't want a heck of a lawsuit, I'd take them to a dealer and have all that done, when it's time, EVERYTIME, that way you most likely can't get sued for not doing it. Unless you got 200 billion in insurance and don't care. But what do I know, we only have 3 million in liability, but we don't run an ambulance either [laugh]

I'm not sure there is a good solution to the wear and tear a Ford goes through...check this out:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=38592

What rear axles do they have? Our twin '99 E-450's have Dana 80 rear axles, 4:10 ratio and came from the factory with 75W-140 synthetic gear lube.

Definitely use a synthetic ATF, or a blend such a Schaeffer's in the auto's. Much more thermally stable basestock, and you'll be able to achieve a longer change interval. I'm sure the '99 and '01 have the 4R100, but the '97 will have the infamous slushbox E4OD transmission.

The most important thing IMO is checking the supplemental coolant additive (SCA) levels. This additive is important, as powerstrokes have been know to develop cavitation erosion of the cylinder walls if this additive chemistry is depleted in the cooling system. I believe it's Motorcraft FW-16.
How long do you keep a rig before trading or re-mounting?

Sgrooms, you have a PM. A good website awaits you.