AmigaDave
Registered User
Forgive my ignorance and impatience. I have spent hours over the last few days trying to figure out which transmission the 1988 F250 XLT w/7.3 idi engine I just purchased has inside of it. I tried checking by VIN, with no luck, and joined here in hopes that some of you can help me out.
My "new to me" truck has (probably) about 329,000 miles on it, but still runs strong, so i don't know if it has ever been rebuilt, or if all 7.3 idi engines last this long while still running great. The transmission only shifts into 3 forward gears, and will not shift to a higher gear until well over 2000 rpm's with no load, and shifts are "hard". There is so much oil leaked under the engine & transmission, it is difficult to tell if it is from one, or several leaks, and if it is from the engine, or the transmission, or both.
The first thing I did after purchase, was an oil and filter change, plus all other fluids flushed and replaced, including the gear oil in the differential. I have purchased some Automatic Transmission Stop Leak, because I did not want to pay the extra expense of having the drive through oil change guys add it, at an extra 300% markup, but now in hindsight, I probably should have just let them do it, as I don't know how hard it is to put this transmission stop leak into my transmission.
I have read alot about the E04 automatic transmission for 7.3 idi equipped vehicles, and assume that stands for an electronic overdrive 4 speed automatic transmission, so I am wondering if perhaps my transmission is faulty, and the overdrive is not working? On the freeway, I am seeing over 3,000rpm's at 65mph, and the truck feels like it needs another gear. I think I have also seen that there are many other options for transmissions, that can be used directly, or adapted for use with my 7.3 idi engine. This is a under $1,500 purchase, part time use (after I get my other car fixed), working truck, for trips to Home Depot, Lowes and the dump, so I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a new or rebuilt transmission, unless absolutely necessary.
All suggestions will be helpful, specially how do I identify which transmission is currently inside my truck, and what are good options for replacement transmissions? Can I expect to stop all oil/fluid leaks in this old of a truck, without needing to rebuild everything?
This is my first ever Ford product, and first ever diesel engine vehicle, but I do have a small amount of mechanical abilities and since I am retired and on a small fixed income, I have much more time than money.
Thanks in advance for any answers.
My "new to me" truck has (probably) about 329,000 miles on it, but still runs strong, so i don't know if it has ever been rebuilt, or if all 7.3 idi engines last this long while still running great. The transmission only shifts into 3 forward gears, and will not shift to a higher gear until well over 2000 rpm's with no load, and shifts are "hard". There is so much oil leaked under the engine & transmission, it is difficult to tell if it is from one, or several leaks, and if it is from the engine, or the transmission, or both.
The first thing I did after purchase, was an oil and filter change, plus all other fluids flushed and replaced, including the gear oil in the differential. I have purchased some Automatic Transmission Stop Leak, because I did not want to pay the extra expense of having the drive through oil change guys add it, at an extra 300% markup, but now in hindsight, I probably should have just let them do it, as I don't know how hard it is to put this transmission stop leak into my transmission.
I have read alot about the E04 automatic transmission for 7.3 idi equipped vehicles, and assume that stands for an electronic overdrive 4 speed automatic transmission, so I am wondering if perhaps my transmission is faulty, and the overdrive is not working? On the freeway, I am seeing over 3,000rpm's at 65mph, and the truck feels like it needs another gear. I think I have also seen that there are many other options for transmissions, that can be used directly, or adapted for use with my 7.3 idi engine. This is a under $1,500 purchase, part time use (after I get my other car fixed), working truck, for trips to Home Depot, Lowes and the dump, so I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a new or rebuilt transmission, unless absolutely necessary.
All suggestions will be helpful, specially how do I identify which transmission is currently inside my truck, and what are good options for replacement transmissions? Can I expect to stop all oil/fluid leaks in this old of a truck, without needing to rebuild everything?
This is my first ever Ford product, and first ever diesel engine vehicle, but I do have a small amount of mechanical abilities and since I am retired and on a small fixed income, I have much more time than money.
Thanks in advance for any answers.