97' powerstroke

[trick450r]

so im really close to buy a 97' f250 powerstroke. Just wanting opinions and advice on what to check out before i lay down the cash...thanks ahead of time.

[RedRider4]

THERE REALLY GOOD TRUCKS DUDE(RIDE LIKE CRAP BUT GOOD) MY GRANDFATHER HAS ONE THAT YEAR

[MR.BIG]

Just check the ball joints and for oil leaks. Tons of power!

[Giz400ex]

Originally posted by trick450r
so im really close to buy a 97' f250 powerstroke. Just wanting opinions and advice on what to check out before i lay down the cash...thanks ahead of time. whats the mileage on it??

[parkers30]

I got a 96 not too long ago, 187k on the clock now, great truck so far, check out the front end (parts are $$$$$) and make sure the transmission has been taken care of

[trick450r]

200k miles, it was used as a masonry truck to the body is alittle beat...but its got no rust on the body or underneath. No leaks, balljoints seem good, and it rides fine...i drove it today.

[JW450R1]

they really didn't have many problems.ball joints,cam positioning senser,and sometimes in winter hard start.glow plugs,or relay,or
valve cover harness.just stay away from the 6.0l
i hear the 6.4l is comming out very soon,with 2 turbos....what fun thats going to be.......

[ex kid]

i've heard of some that have had crank sensors go bad...

[Giz400ex]

Originally posted by trick450r
200k miles, it was used as a masonry truck to the body is alittle beat...but its got no rust on the body or underneath. No leaks, balljoints seem good, and it rides fine...i drove it today. Mmmm, how much $$$$? 200k is getting up there and diesels are NOT cheap to repair.

[wvspeedfreak]

I bought a 97 F-350 crew cab this past winter.I looked for a mid to late 90's diesel truck for about a year before I actually found a decent one.The problem I found was that trucks that old had usually been beat on pretty hard but I just couldn't afford a new one.I finally got lucky and found one that was a 1 owner truck that was garage kept by an older couple and primarily used just for towing a camper to Florida.
I haven't had any problems with it so far but being a mechanic I can tell you a few problems they are noted for:
(1) Camshaft position sensor failure.They are not hard to replace but when they go they go all at once and you aren't going anywhere :D
(2) The transmissions themselves aren't that bad if you keep the fluid changed regularly and keep it out of overdrive when you are towing in hilly terrain.The torque converters however are rather weak and alot of transmissions get replaced when in fact the converter is all that is actually bad.
(3) On the 7.3 Powerstroke it is verry important to keep the engine oil changed every 3000 miles.Due to the way the injection system is designed dirty oil can wreak havok on it.
Also change the fuel filter and check the air filter regularly.If you find a truck that has been serviced like it should be it will last you a looooooong time ;)

[trick450r]

thanks for the info, the price is right at $3000, im having a co-worker who was a diesel mechanic look at it after work today, and my friends dad whos a mechanic and a ford truck guru look at it on saterday...if it gets a clean bill of health, it will be sitting in my driveway on sunday.

[Giz400ex]

Originally posted by trick450r
thanks for the info, the price is right at $3000, im having a co-worker who was a diesel mechanic look at it after work today, and my friends dad whos a mechanic and a ford truck guru look at it on saterday...if it gets a clean bill of health, it will be sitting in my driveway on sunday. That's a pretty decent price! Hope everything goes good! Good luck:D

[DieselBoy]

is the body rusty?

[Giz400ex]

Is this a 4x4????

[trick450r]

the body does not have even 1 spot of rust anywhere, it is a 4x4 XLT

[DieselBoy]

nice, got a pic of it? my friend sam has a 97 and all it's ever had done is glowplugs & an alternator. it has really, really high mileage and it still hauls like a new one.

[trick450r]

Originally posted by DieselBoy
nice, got a pic of it? my friend sam has a 97 and all it's ever had done is glowplugs & an alternator. it has really, really high mileage and it still hauls like a new one.

nah, no pics, its red with a grey stripe

There a ***** to start in the cold... If you don't plug a extension cord into the little plug that's in the grill overnight don't expect to start it in the morning.

My dad has a 96.

[trick450r]

Originally posted by nofearrider1
There a ***** to start in the cold... If you don't plug a extension cord into the little plug that's in the grill overnight don't expect to start it in the morning.

My dad has a 96.

GOOD POINT, i forgot to check for a block heater yesterday...THANKYOU, i'll take a look tonight...

Originally posted by trick450r
GOOD POINT, i forgot to check for a block heater yesterday...THANKYOU, i'll take a look tonight...

Block heater, thats what its called:o I couldn't think of what to call it lol

[rollie]

Originally posted by trick450r
nah, no pics, its red with a grey stripe


sweet a gray stripe!, lol that sounds sick tho sean, you should lift it :cool:

[DieselBoy]

Originally posted by nofearrider1
There a ***** to start in the cold... If you don't plug a extension cord into the little plug that's in the grill overnight don't expect to start it in the morning.

My dad has a 96.

I agree. My F-350 seems to start OK without it, but when its really cold the engine cranks over SO SLOW. Make SURE it works. They're not to expensive, though. I think I'm going to put a new one on mine before winter. Also, dont start it up and go. Let the engine warm up for a while. I usually let it warm up for 15-20+ minutes if its really cold.

oh, one last thing...youll need diesel conditioner in the winter so it doesn't wax up/freeze

i have to zip-tie my plug to my tow hook, its WAY too short, and getting it back out sucks.

[Giz400ex]

Originally posted by trick450r
GOOD POINT, i forgot to check for a block heater yesterday...THANKYOU, i'll take a look tonight... I'm pretty sure thats a standard item but maybe for autos sold in the upper half of the u.s.. I never came across a diesel that didn't have it. A for cold weather, if you want you can mix diesel with kero?? But, here in NY its illegal to do that but?????

[trick450r]

so i bought it, he wanted $3200 because it had about 50 gallons of gas in it. But i got it for $2800, Im picking in up in a few days. Anyone has any tips on how i can keep this thing running for a while lol:D

[Quad Boy 660r]

What kind of mileage are you getting in it, if you dont mind?

Sounds like a good deal.:D

[trick450r]

Originally posted by Quad Boy 660r
What kind of mileage are you getting in it, if you dont mind?

Sounds like a good deal.:D

dont know yet, i'll let you know in a week lol...they said 15-21 around town and up to 27 on the highway

[TM426]

my 97psd didnt have a block heater. It started every time in the cold very easily. I had two batteries but did not have a block heater. My truck was too tall to fit in the garage. I would suggest two batteries. It think the compression is 17.5-1 thats alot to push with one battery.

[wvspeedfreak]

Trick450r I got your pm but couldn't reply because your inbox is full :p Here is the picture you asked about.

[Quad Boy 660r]

Wow, that is much better than I had thought. I hope it really is that good. For your sake.

May be a dumb question: Is that a '97 that wvspeedfreak posted, and if not, is a 97 the new or old style.? Thanks.

I am thinking about purchasing a similar truck next year.

[wvspeedfreak]

Originally posted by Quad Boy 660r


May be a dumb question: Is that a '97 that wvspeedfreak posted, and if not, is a 97 the new or old style.? Thanks.

I am thinking about purchasing a similar truck next year.


Yes,the picture I posted is of my '97.

[trick450r]

Originally posted by wvspeedfreak
Yes,the picture I posted is of my '97.

SICK TRUCK wvspeedfreak, mine is only a single cab, otherwise it looks the same (go figure)...haha

[Quad Boy 660r]

Yes, very nice truck.

[LTZ400rider]

Originally posted by DieselBoy
I agree. My F-350 seems to start OK without it, but when its really cold the engine cranks over SO SLOW. Make SURE it works. They're not to expensive, though. I think I'm going to put a new one on mine before winter. Also, dont start it up and go. Let the engine warm up for a while. I usually let it warm up for 15-20+ minutes if its really cold.

oh, one last thing...youll need diesel conditioner in the winter so it doesn't wax up/freeze

i have to zip-tie my plug to my tow hook, its WAY too short, and getting it back out sucks.

letting your truck warm up doesnt do chit, drive it around lightly for 10 minutes thats all that you can do. letting your truck suck in cold air for 20 minutes wont warm it up, unless its a gasser

[DieselBoy]

Originally posted by LTZ400rider
letting your truck warm up doesnt do chit, drive it around lightly for 10 minutes thats all that you can do. letting your truck suck in cold air for 20 minutes wont warm it up, unless its a gasser

:huh :huh you seem to have totally missed the point of "warm up".

[trick450r]

Originally posted by DieselBoy
:huh :huh you seem to have totally missed the point of "warm up".

lol