88, F350 diesel. What to look out for?

[mowingman]

I am thinking of buying an old 1988, F350 flatbed with the 7.3 diesel and a 3 spd. auto trans. It has 91000 original miles, newly rebuilt trans., new alternator, near new radiator and water pump, and new tires. Known problems are: a fuel gauge that does not work, leaking power steering pump or hoses or both, and the ignition key is hard to get out of the switch.Once you insert it, it is very hard to get it positioned so you can turn it to start truck. Truck starts right up, and runs and drives good. I think I can get it for $3500.00 or so.
What should I watch out for that might cost a small fortune to fix? I am not familiar at all with the non turbo 7.3 engines. Were they a good solid engine? How about the 3 spd. automatic trans.? Ok or not?
Thanks
Jeff

[ksttac]

my buddy has one with 300k on it runs like a charm, just not gunna win any races but it pulls good. the tranny is ok but he just had it rebuilt,

[mowingman]

Well, I went ahead and bought this truck today. Gave $2900.00 for it. turns out a friend of mine who owns a trans. shop did the recent trans. replacement and verified that it is under warranty. I need to get the key switch problem fixed, check the oil leak on the PS pump, fix the fuel gauge, and put it to work. Hope I did not make a mistake, but it sure seems to run good.
Jeff

[pipelayerjdh]

You should be fine. They are great engines and the C6 is one of the toughest trannys Ford has ever made. Definitely a good work truck.

[Eric]

I sold one of the same year, flat bed and everything that my dad bought new and gave to me to sell to get my truck and it's still on the road with over 600,000 miles on the stock motor with no rebuilds. It had the death wobble and the fuel gauge didn't work but it was still a pretty good truck.

[7.3badboy1990]

very goood truck but it you have the time and money you get the c6tranny is bad

[diesel_19]

the are great motors mines got 240k and runs like its a new one but mines got the e4od tranny that i just got rebuilt but there tough and good pulling trucks just not fast.

[2000blackbeauty]

Be very weary of a little problem they are known to have. Some of them easily cavitate since they just bored a 6.9 to get to 7.3 they didnt compensate for it in the sleeves. Get some SCA test strips and maintain it at every oil change. Put in additive regularly. The C6...well...if you blow it up. your awesome...and look on the brightside. you could just hang out after a demo derby and pickup a whole semi load of cars that are probably equipped with a C6 for next to nothing. Cmon. think positive.