Stupid question on the 7.3 Navistar diesel.

[Andertusa]

Were the later 7.3's that were used in the later model medium duty International trucks( Like a 1997 School bus, for example) basically the same engine as the ones that were put in the Ford light-duty trucks years earlier?

 

[chris142]

Nope. Completly different.

 

[Brad S.]

I drive a school bus that is actually a 97, with one of the engines you speak of.
It looks more like a PS then our IDI. Injectors, GP's are all under the valve cover.
Sucks on fuel mileage, 6-7 mpg is the best in a month that I've been able to do, very, very heavy, too.

 

[icanfixall]

94 was the last year our idi was installed in any truck or buss so I'm told. Could be wrong but don't think so. If you can lok at the engine and see any injector hard lines running to each injector then its an idi engine.

 

[Andertusa]

So, if they are two completely different beasts, does anyone know how difficult it would be to 'rod' a later 7.3 Navistar? What parts and that could be used, how much boost can it take, etc?

 

[79jasper]

The later navistar is a T444E aka powerstroke diesel.
Can take quite a bit more boost.


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[fordf350man]

they are not an idi but it is a powerstroke basically, i have one that came out of an 1997 international street cleaner, they just call it T444E, there are some differences like the pcm programming(from what i am told) and i guess the fuel filter housing might be taller on the international ones, cant confirm that, if you do a search on google for 7.3 powerstroke T444E differences then you will find all you need to know, the long blocks i know are the same, sensors and components are the only difference from what i read

 

[79jasper]

IIRC, the T444E is better for swapping because it has more of a standalone type PCM.
Just going off memory though.


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[Ruger_556]

Were the later 7.3's that were used in the later model medium duty International trucks( Like a 1997 School bus, for example) basically the same engine as the ones that were put in the Ford light-duty trucks years earlier?

No, it's a 7.3 Powerstroke (T444E). It has an engine mounted ECM so it's preferred for swaps. Completely different engine than an IDI.

 

[Andertusa]

The bus company I work for is likely to sell either the 97 International Thomas 77 pass. with the 7.3 they have, or the 97 Freightliner Bluebird with a 8.3 Cummins 77 pass. they have after this year, and I'm debating which to consider.

 

[fordf350man]

what are you going to put this engine into? myself i would do the 7.3, have been proven reliable more than enough times and will have plenty of power to pull anything you need if its going into a pickup, i dont know much about any cummins engine really,

 

[Andertusa]

@ Ford350 I'm looking at actually buying the busand using it as such, but I'll admit that these rigs don't exactly accelerate too well, so the idea of getting some more power would be nice.

 

[fordf350man]

hmmm, well i don't have experience with buses so i cant give you any advice, im sure other will be able to,

 

[OLDBULL8]

@ Ford350 I'm looking at actually buying the busand using it as such, but I'll admit that these rigs don't exactly accelerate too well, so the idea of getting some more power would be nice.

Fourteen ton don't accelerate to fast with an underpowered engine. If you want a 5 to 7 MPG that's what you'll get, along with a Go and Stop and long hours of Idleing. Better check on what transmission it has in it, if it's an Allision, there darn expensive to overhaul or repair. If it has air brakes, a CDL is required. Do a lot of research on it.

I owned one once, but it was a gasser, put a 2 speed rear end in it, with a 5 speed OD transmission. Was a gas hog even with that. Converted it to a Motor Home, then it has to be inspected.

 

[typ4]

8.3 can run forever with proper maintenance. can be turned up easy IIRC