1989 7.3 Powerstroke Cam and lifters

[capt324]

I am currenly looking at a truck that the owner says starts and is drivable but needs a cam and lifters. The truck is a 1989 Extended cab F350 Dually with only 90,000 original miles on the 7.3 powerstroke engine. I got the carfax report on the vehicle and the mileage checks out. I am not a diesel guy but 90,000 miles for a diesel is low. What would cause a cam and lifters to go in this motor so soon and is this a common problem with this motor? For the price of the truck if all I need to do is to replace the cam and lifters I would buy it but I do not want to buy it if the motor is totally trashed. I am a gas motor guy and cams and lifters do not usually go bad. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[dieseldan2005]

Not sure what would cause that to fail, but an 89 will not have a powerstroke in it. It is a non turbo indirect injection 7.3 diesel. Unless he put a turbo on it aftermarket. The old idi's and the newer powerstrokes are different. Depending on what he wants for it, it might not be worth the money. If it was a 95 with a powerstroke then maybe.

[skip97IH]

are you sure it is a power stroke and not an IDI

[capt324]

Thanks for the info. As I say I am not a diesel guy yet. The add did not say Powerstroke or turbo, my mistake. I guess it is the idi 7.3 as you say. He is only asking 1500.00 for the truck and I am only looking for a work truck to do some towing and hauling with. Overall, was this a bad engine? I know this one needs some work but the truck overall is in good shape so even if I have to put some money into the engine to me it doesn't seem to be a bad deal for 1500.00. I would be doing all the work myself so it is not like I would be paying for labor. What do you think? Thanks again for the info. I really appreciate the input.

[planeoldguy]

Originally Posted by capt324

Thanks for the info. As I say I am not a diesel guy yet. The add did not say Powerstroke or turbo, my mistake. I guess it is the idi 7.3 as you say. He is only asking 1500.00 for the truck and I am only looking for a work truck to do some towing and hauling with. Overall, was this a bad engine? I know this one needs some work but the truck overall is in good shape so even if I have to put some money into the engine to me it doesn't seem to be a bad deal for 1500.00. I would be doing all the work myself so it is not like I would be paying for labor. What do you think? Thanks again for the info. I really appreciate the input.

Yank that engine, drop in a late '90's powerstroke, under 5k you have a great truck.
I did it a few years ago, the wiring was the hardest part and it wasnt that bad.

[skip97IH]

That dosent sound bad if the body is in good shape. I am not sure what the price difference would be for a rebuild versus a complete upgrade to a PSD. Good luck