Buying a used 94-97 OBS stroker

[Canadian Stroker]

Hey guys, been lurking here for a little while now and have finally signed up. So I've been bitten with the powerstroke bug and am looking to purchase one in the next little while. So just looking for some advice as to what problems I should be looking for with them. Any particular years to avoid? Which tend to suffer from rust damage the worst, engine/transmission problems, etc. Anyways, thanks in advance, seems to be like a very friendly helpful site so I look forward to the responses.

[cingularchris]

Just look around and search the years you see in your price range for the common bugs for that production date. I have a 97 5speed and early 99 6speed, both 7.3 turbos. The 97 leaks fuel at the massive banjo bolt and the 99 leaks oil from god knows where (since I have replaced every o ring and gasket known to that model) but both are very dependable. I realize this is not much input. I meant this post as more of encouragement. Keep in mind that these trucks weren't intercooled until the early 99 model!

Let your first mod be a chip. Thats your best bang for the buck. After that do a boost fooler. Its real cheap and will buy you another 2-3lbs of boost. Straight exhaust and cold air inlet are probably already in your plan but thought I'd mention it just in case... 6L intercoolers are supposed to be bigger so keep an eye out for one of those used and cheap.

Thats all I can think of for now. Good luck and I'm sure someone else will chime in here shortly.

chris

[Canadian Stroker]

Whats a boost fooler? (sorry, I'm still kind of a newbie)

[cingularchris]

I've also seen them called MAP foolers. A guy on e-bay used to sell them pre-fab, thats where I got mine but I couldn't find one listed. Maybe he stopped. He use to list them as "big boost". Anyway, some guys here on this site just make them out of fittings you could get at the hardware store. I'd search it here and see if you can get one of them to send you a parts list and just make one when the time comes.

chris

[Canadian Stroker]

Cool, thanks for the tip.

[Canadian Stroker]

any other advice people?

[towmysho]

Originally Posted by Canadian Stroker

any other advice people?

Change the cmp (cam position sensor) before it goes out on you. Ford issued a recall on these items recently.

That's one of the first things I did when I got my '96 PSD (in addition to changing the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, flushing the coolant, tranny fluid, Viton O-rings for the fuel drain valve, new O-rings on the leaky IPR, new oil-cooler gaskets, plugging up the dipstick/crankcase oil leak, adding a coolant filter, and I still need to change the fuel pump since it's leaking ).

Man I love the 7.3!!!