97s arent terribly unique but they do have some differences. No tailgate panel, available CCSB in 96&97, Superduty style fuel bowl cover on later 97 models, o-ringed style steering hose 8/97 and up, and a 10hp bump from 215 to 225.
Thats all that comes to mind, thats all i can think of right now. 1997 was also a long model year. Production of cars usually lasts from july of one year to the next but "1997" obs trucks were made from July/Aug. 1996 to somewhere up to January of 1998.

 

97 model year PSD also had a heavier, stronger block. This is most noticeable in the lifter valley. 96 and prior models had an open slot for the lifters with one large lifter guide hold-down plate. 97 and later have this area divided into 4 sections by reinforcing webs.

 

 

Good stuff Bill! I didnt know that. I assume all 97 and up blocks were like that?

 

Confirm with the serial number in the pic I posted. I originally thought it was a SD production change until I tore apart my 97 project truck engine and noticed it wasn't the same as my '96. A little reading straightened me out :hehe:

 

My trucks an 11/97 and my engine was made in 10/97. My truck was made towards the end of obs production so i guess i would have that different block.:dunno:

 

Y'all seem to know your powerstroke very well.. so here we go. i have no idea about them but like what they have to offer.. I'm looking into getting a 96 F350 CCLB but i was told i would not be able to chip it because it is not computerized. how true is this? and what is the purpose of an exhaust chip?

 

CA emissions late 96 and 97 trucks were also sporting AB injectors (and different PCM tuning). The CA emissions 97's also use a different GPR with a shunt on it and separate leads for each bank of glow plugs connected to one side of the shunt.
Taskforce... all PSD's are computer controlled. Whoever told you that, you need to go back and kick him in the nuts. At least 5 times. Never heard of an exhaust chip...

 

LMAO thanks he said that they were mechanical injectors or something did not make much sense to me but i ran with it.. now at 195,000 miles do you think that the 96 will still have alot of life left and power? lol what can i do to extend the life of it.. money is not an issue.. but i would like to keep it in the range of about 5000 give or take a little bit

 

At 195k if its been cared for in the past, its just getting broken in. Freshen up all the fluids, keep up on oil changes, fuel filters, and coolant additive and it will last you a long time.

 

I bought my 96 with 135k on her. She now has 230k. Even with all the mods, never really given me any problems thats not expected from abuse! Keep in mind the auto tranny or clutch is the weak link.

 

with 5k to spend you can do a lot of things.... At this point your injectors are getting tired, may cause the idle to be a little un even. Id look into stage 1s or a good rebuilt set of stock injectors if you dont want much more power.

Id say other than maintenance you should be good to go other than that. There isnt a lot that "wears out" on these trucks. But heck for 5grand you could pull the engine and rebuild it too

 

Heck, mine wasn't taken care of too well, and it's running great @ 298k LOL