I am looking for some info/input on the 1994 E-350. My dad is looking at one. It would be used on the farm, haul hay, equipment, livestock, up to about a 60 mile radius. This is a former Ambulance, (just cab and chasis now). It is an auto (which I don't really like). We test drove it this evening, seems to be pretty tight and is showing 64,XXX on the odo. which I questioned and they said is correct. It is an ambulance from a small, samll, small town's dept near here, so I guess it is possible. Anything to watch out for with this E-350. Any information would be great...good or bad. Or if you are selling an older ton diesel, lol let me know!!

 

Sounds OK 94 was the regular old 7.3 Turbodiesel right?

 

'94 was the transition year from the 7.3 idi to the 7.3 powerstroke could be either one. If it has a mechanical IP it's an idi. If it's an idi check that regular maintenace was done especially concerning the cooling system, they have a bad rep for cavitating. If 64K miles is actual miles the motor is just barely broke in be it an idi or psd. The trans would be the weak link, as all slush boxes are imo.
Cam

 

If it's an auto it's an IDI not a Powerstroke. Powerstrokes where only available with a 5-spd in 94. Come to think of it I am pretty sure the Powerstoke was only available in the F-series in 94 and was not used in the E-series until the following year. Look for an hour-meter, most ambulances have them because they spend a ton of time idleing. I wouldn't want one with too many hours on it.

 

I dunno about the 5 speed. That 94 will either be a non turbo idi or a turbo non intercooled idi. With an E4OD trans. (4 speed with a lazy lockup)The Fords with the ambulance prep pack (check door jamb) are tough. It will have lots of idle time and lots of cold starts with no warmup but they will go forever. If the price is right I'd buy it if I needed it. Ambulances get great maintenance, as you don't want it to quit with grandma in the back having chest pains. Most in cold climates also sit in warm bays until required.

 

I have a 98 1ton Dually 12valve- - - - Check the classifieds. Its the black and silver dually 4x4 in Lexington NC!

 

Great van very good trans to , 94 was the last 7.3 diesel before the Powerstrocks . 95 was the big diesel change . They were all built in Lorain , Ohio and back then I was the heavy hole mechanic in the plant . I never seen one with a standard come off the line in a diesel setup . I drive mostly Dodge's now but if I were to buy a full size van it would be a Ford they make the best one in my book . I would not be afraid of it with that low of mileage , I have the same 94 van in a motor home class c and it has been flawless .

 

Thanks for all the replys!!!! That is one part of what makes this site soo great!!! I think he can get it for $4k, and then he has to put a steel bed on it. Sounds like it might be an Ok thing for him to do. Thanks again for all the info!

 

Did a little check ( just cause I couldn't remember). The only diesel available in the E-series in 94 was the 7.3 IDI non-turbo. The Powerstroke was a mid year (94.5)addition, but only in the F-series and only with a 5-spd manual. E-series diesels came with either the E4OD 4spd overdrive auto, or C6 3spd non-overdrive auto. Other then the lack of OD the C6 is a much better tranny compared to the early E4OD.

 

Sounds like a neat project - great compact size work vechile.

Good engine and trans, just alot of in-town miles (hours) as others have stated. You don't take an ambulence on an out-of-town trip, now do you?

The ambulence body could be worth a fair bit by itself. Is it aluminum? That could be worth a fair bit even as scrap?!

 

They have already removed the back "box" off of it. It is just the van type cab and chasis at the moment.

The trans is the E4OD, from the sounds of it (4 spd w/OD).

And one more thing.......is it wrong that I have already thaought about little things to do do bomb it a bit First off the exhaust looks like about a 1 1/2" pipe, so..........

 

You might want to check a bit more. Ford ditched the C6/diesel option around '91 or '92. An ambulance with a 4:10 and a C6 would have a 60mph top speed. Even with the IDI and E4OD they only did 80. You could also get a powerstroke with a auto trans in 94.

 

E4OD was the only trans you could get in 94 in a E250 or E350 and they were a lot better trans than a C6 and yes the turbo 7.3 in a van did not come out until 95 and the 94 7.3 did not have the oil spray nozzles to help with cooling . The only problem I can think of with the whole set up was it was a little bit of a dog and the glow plug relay other than that they were mostly trouble free unit .

 

Sounds like an opprotunity to get out he cutting torch! Easier to replace that littel pipe with no body on there. How about a stack?

 

I have an 87 E-350 dually which was an ambulance. 6.9L diesel. It was converted to a flat bed.

When I bought it there was 86,000 miles on the odometer, at 116,00 it threw a rod. I was pretty disappointed as these engine should last much longer. The only thing I can think of is the cold starts and long idle time but who knows.

Good luck whatever you do.