97 vs 2001 head swaps.

IDIoit · Oct 17, 2014

good afternoon strokers.

when I got my 01, i had to change head gaskets.
instead of waiting for the machine shop to do them, i had purchased another set and had them gone through. before i started the project.

now im working on a 97 PSD, both are 7.3's

i installed the 97 into my rig, well, she dont turn completely over.

i pulled the glow plugs, and have came to the conclusion that there is some rust at the top of one of the cylinders.

now the heads have to come off.

will these 01 heads work on my 97?

they look about the same.

wanting to tear her apart, with fresh heads ready to go.

thanks in advance

lindstromjd · Oct 17, 2014

Yes and no. Bolt pattern is exact same, as is the workings of everything else on them like valves and whatnot, but the internals of the heads are slightly different. I wouldn't do it, because the SD heads have a "dead head" fuel return system. There's no real return line back to the tank like on the OBS, which is what makes for easier bleeding and slightly better fuel flow through the heads and injectors. This also means that if you plan on using the SD heads, you'd have to use an e-fuel set-up specific to the SD engine (not like an OBS conversion kit) and there'd be no way around it. If you're up for that kind of challenge, then go for it and don't look back. But if it were me, I would use OBS heads on the OBS engine.

IDIoit · Oct 17, 2014

Figured I'd atleast ask.
Thanks man, this is a long term project, so I may as well pull the heads, and have them done.
And see what the damage is on the cylinders. Hopefully it's not pitted

79jasper · Oct 17, 2014

I thought the return ports were just plugged?
Or is the regulated return add the return from the regulator itself?

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Double-S-Diesel · Oct 17, 2014

heads the same, sd just has plugs

lindstromjd · Oct 17, 2014

Well then... I was under the impression that they were a slightly different design. Didn't know it was just plugs. I knew the regulated return was built into the SD fuel filter, and a completely different system than the OBS return. I'll just go back to my corner now...

IDIoit · Oct 17, 2014

lindstromjd said:
Well. I'll just go back to my corner now...

No worries man, it's not your fault you have a Chevy in your signature!

They look pretty damn identical.
Anyone else care to chime in?

94f450sd · Oct 18, 2014

The only diffence you may run into are the intakes.there were a couple different designs used.94-97 had 2" intakes.some of the SDs had i think 2 1/2" intakes.i know the bolt patterns were also changed.other than the intakes the heads are identical.

Double-S-Diesel · Oct 18, 2014

forgot about the intakes, they will need changed as the 97 has smaller holes

IDIoit · Oct 18, 2014

The heads I bought for my 01 were off a 99. They also had the smaller intake plentums

94f450sd · Oct 18, 2014

IDIoit said:
The heads I bought for my 01 were off a 99. They also had the smaller intake plentums

You should be good to go then.

94f450sd · Oct 18, 2014

Double-S-Diesel said:
forgot about the intakes, they will need changed as the 97 has smaller holes

IIRC the intakes cant be swapped.the bolt pattern was changed when the intakes were changed.

79jasper · Oct 18, 2014

Yes, the plenums are different. Not a big deal though.

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IDIoit · Nov 13, 2014

soon as the sun comes up, im going to be pulling this 7.3 apart.
i sold the block and heads to my brother. im keeping everything down to the injectors.
just happend to purchase another engine with a zf5 and transfer, should make some of my headaches go away.
everything is intact!

ill lay them side by side and give you th exact external differences.

IDIoit · Nov 14, 2014

So, here it is folks.
Virtually ZERO differences inbetween the 97 and 01 heads
On the left, 1997 7.3
On the right 2001 7.3
Am I missing something?
even the casting numbers are the same.
1825113C1

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97 vs 2001 head swaps.

IDIoit

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