Ambulance w/ blown engine

[radojet80]

What a way to do a first post. Anyway, my chief had sent our 1997 E-350 7.3L turbo ambulance to the shop after it died on our way to a call. I'm not too sure about all the details of the shop said, but something about the oil pressure got low and shut the truck down. I watch my gauges and the pressure was fine. After a month in the shop, they call us today and say the motor is now trash. They've been starting it and moving it around the shop. They said the the high pressure pump went out and now there's metal everywhere. My chief has asked me to put another motor in it. I've done plenty of gas engines, but never really done much with a diesel. Now I'm searching for a 7.3L to go back in it. Ok, here's my questions:
1. What year ranges do I need to look for to be compatible?
2. Anything I need to be aware of with the swap?
3. I know diesels' fuel pressure is high- Do I need to bleed the system and reprime it? If so, how?

Any info would be greatly appreciated by myself, my department, and the community we serve. Thank ya'll in advance.

[Ryan Rønning]

Try to find a engine as close to the year as possible but most any year engine older then that should work.
Its not that hard a swap and we will all be here to walk you through it

[Marty]

Where are you located? If you're closeby to me, or one of the techs maybe we can help. Afterall it's for an ambulance!!!

High pressure oil pumps don't just Grenade and throw metal everywhere. I'd ask for it back and start diagnosing yourself.

The 7.3 short block will work from 94-03 - but since yours is a 97 it will have a camshaft driven fuel pump in the valley rather then an electric fuel pump on the frame rail. So if you get another block, get one from 94-97 unless you want to mess with removing a factory freeze plug from the valley.

[radojet80]

Originally Posted by Maintain

Where are you located? If you're closeby to me, or one of the techs maybe we can help. Afterall it's for an ambulance!!!

High pressure oil pumps don't just Grenade and throw metal everywhere. I'd ask for it back and start diagnosing yourself.

The 7.3 short block will work from 94-03 - but since yours is a 97 it will have a camshaft driven fuel pump in the valley rather then an electric fuel pump on the frame rail. So if you get another block, get one from 94-97 unless you want to mess with removing a factory freeze plug from the valley.

Thanks for the heads up on the years. Yeah, the Chief wants to get the truck towed back and have me find out what's going on with the block that grenaded after we put whatever one we find in it. We're in New Caney, Tx. It's a little north of Houston.

[bigcountrysg]

There are a couple guys down in that area on here. I am sure they would be more then glad to help you out in someway. I think that is where half our members are from.

[Dieselking]

Tell the chief to ask your township or county to buy you guys a new ambulance

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by Dieselking

Tell the chief to ask your township or county to buy you guys a new ambulance

They want to keep the long live 7.3L.

[Dieselking]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

They want to keep the long live 7.3L.

obviously it aint working out as planned. why not just get a new truck less headaches and what not. besides the fire departments and what not are due for new trucks every couple of years.

[BigRed]

Yep there is plenty of guys on here from Houston. I don't know too terribly much about the 7.3's but RedMule is from Brazoria which is real close has put an engine or 2 in his truck and knows what is going on. Try looking on CraigsList for a used motor I see them all the time, just not sure what you are wanting to pay.

[BigRed]

7.3 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel Enging

Not a bad deal...