I am looking at 2 2000 Powerstrokes, 1 is an F550 and 1 an F450; both are 6spd's and 4wd. The 550 has 198K miles, a new clutch and stock injectors and HEUI pump. The 450 has 254K, 100K on a new factory engine and has been chipped. On the 550 should I be concerned about the miles, and might it soon need injectors? On the 450, should I be concerned that it has been chipped. I and aware of the crank sensor issues that these rigs have and am not concerned about that. Is there anything else I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance,
Nick

 

Thats a 6.0l correct? benn along time since i was talkin fords.

 

That would be the 7.3L hes talking about...the 6.0L came out in mid '03.

 

Yes look on the drivers side of the engines there is an oil cooler, where the filters attach to. They are bad about leaking, and the front of the timing case where the oil cooler bolts to that case, is bad about rotting out. Thats almost 2 grand for parts and labor. The other thing to look for is look at the anitfreez there are something called injector cups. If there is a hint of diesel in the antifreez stay away from them. Thats really the only problems I have had out of the powerstokes I have had them from 96 to 2003. Hope that is some help.

 

The 7.3 is a very good motor...I would stay away from the 6.0...A company here had about four 6.0 Fords.All had problems from blown motors to EGR valves blowing every 10K miles.

 

I have never had a problem with the 7.3s we have owned. being that its a six speed is even better, hope they work out.

 

Thanks all. BTW I would NEVER buy a 6.0 or 6.4.

Nick

 

You may have to do an injector or two, and a hpop, glow plugs and a glow plug relay, and as you stated an occasional cmp sensor, all repairs you can do your self. The only real problem with the manual tranny's are lack of lubrication, here is why. The plug on the side of the trans only fills the actual trans housing, NOT the extended E-brake housing, the trans will take atf for fluid and the e- brake housing takes a 50w synthetic gear oil , the e-brake housing has its own plug to check and fill that section, so if the tail shaft is leaking make sure you check that, the plug is on the drivers side and is a pain to get to and to refill, sounds worse than it is.

The mileage on the F-550 does not worry me in the least bit, just expect to put some maintenance into it, the remanned in the 450 worries me more, only because Ford had some major quality issues with their sub contractors who did their rebuilding, however since there is already 100k on the engine it looks like the 450 got a decent one.

Fresh oil and filters are the golden key for the 7.3, it is still a 3000 mile service interval motor 14 qts of the oil of your choice and a Motorcraft fl1995 oil filter and your good to go.

I have seen the International version (t-444e) go well over 400k hard run miles

Good luck,

Tim

 

Depending on what kind of duty cycle it had it might be wise to pop off the intake tube and check the turbo shaft for play. If the truck was frequently ran and shut off you can bet it was shut down hot and oil coked in the bearing journal. My bro in law had one that used to haul a landscaping trailer and was driven by employees and it had that problem. I watched one day, those poor trucks would get floored from place to place and than just shut down.

 

One other thing to look for is rusting oil pans (how ironic is that). Not a cheap fix as the motor needs to be lifted. Hate to admit it, but I was looking at a 01 PS before I bought the Dodge, The Ferd was 3 grand cheaper, but I went with the Cummins for the fuel economy... and the exhaust note....

 

Thanks Tim, Johnny and KLX. If I end up getting one, I'll post about it.

Nick