Engine serial number that identifies a turbo 7.3?

[G. Mann]

Hey all,

Got a chance to pick up 3 trucks [package deal] and two are 7.3, one is 6.9. Both the 7.3 engine trucks have had the turbos pulled off. The engines are all core engine material to be rebuilt.

Can I tell from the engine serial number if the 7.3 engines were factory turbo with the improved rod ends and etc.. ?

I seem to recall someone here, long ago, having a listing of how to tell.. of course, can't find it now by searching..

Thanks in advance!

 

[79jasper]

It was Gary.
I don't think tagging works anymore, but @icanfixall

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[kbrennan]

If it is 1994, the stock turbo 7.3 will have an engine code VIN letter of 'K' and the 1993 stock turbo has engine code VIN letter 'C'.

 

[gandalf]

Here you go, a VIN decoder for 1987 through 1996, I think it is. The typos are some one else's. I just copied this long ago.

This, of course, assumes that no one has swapped engines. A more thorough look at the engine itself is a more reliable method.



1987 to 1996
Positions 1, 2 & 3-Country Code:
1FT Ford Motor Company USA
2FT Ford Motor Company Canada

Position 4-GVW Class Code:
C 4001 to 5000 pounds F150
D 5001 to 6000 pounds F150
E 6001 to 7000 pounds F150 & F250
F 7001 to 8000 pounds F250
G 8001 to 8500 pounds F250
H 8501 to 9000 pounds F250 HD & F350
J 9001 to 10000 pounds F350

Positions 5, 6 & 7-Series Code:
F15 F150 2 Wheel Drive Reg Cab
X15 F150 2 Wheel Drive Ext Cab
F14 F150 4 Wheel Drive Reg Cab
X14 F150 4 Wheel Drive Ext Cab
F25 F250 2 Wheel Drive Reg Cab
X25 F250 2 Wheel Drive Ext Cab
F26 F250 4 Wheel Drive Reg Cab
X26 F250 4 Wheel Drive Ext Cab

Position 8-Engine Code:
Y 6 cy 4.9 Gas EFI 87 to 93
Y 6 cy 4.9 Gas MFI 94 to 96
N 8 cy 5.0 Gas EFI 87 to 93
N 8 cy 5.0 Gas MFI 94 to 96
H 8 cy 5.8 Gas 4BBL 87
H 8 cy 5.8 Gas EFI 88 to 93
R 8 cy 5.8 Gas F150 Lt EFI 93
H 8 cy 5.8 Gas MFI 94 to 96
R 8 cy 5.8 Gas F150 Lt MFI 94 to 95
1 8 cy 6.9 Diesel IDI 87
M 8 cy 7.3 Diesel IDI 88 to 94
F 8 cy 7.3 Turbo-Diesel TPS 94 to 96
K 8 cy 7.3 Turbo-Diesel TPS 94
L 8 cy 7.5 Gas 4BBL 87
G 8 cy 7.5 Gas EFI 88 to 93
G 8 cy 7.5 Gas MFI 94 to 96

Position 9-Model Year Code:
H-87, J-88, K-89, L-90, M-91
N-92, P-93, R-94, S-95, T-96

Position 10-Assembly Plant Code:
C-Oakville, Ontario Canada
H-Lorain, OH / N-Norfolk, VA
K-Kansas, MO / P-St. Paul, MN
L-Wayne, MI / U-Louisville, KY

Remaining Numbers-Sequence of Assembly:





EXPANDED:::




F14 - F150, Regular Cab, 4x4
x14 - F150, SuperCab, 4x4
F15 - F140, Regular Cab, 4x2
X15 - F150, SuperCab, 4x2
F25 - F250, Regular Cab, 4x2
X25 - F250, SuperCab, 4x2
F26 - F250, RegularCab, 4x4
X26 - F250, SuperCab, 4x4
F35 - F350, Regular Cab, 4x2
X35 - F350, SuperCab, 4x2
W36 - F350, Crew Cab, 4x2
F37 - F350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
F36 - F350, Regular Cab, 4x4
W36 - F350, Crew Cab, 4x4
F38 - F350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
F47 - F-Super Duty, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
F53 - F-Super Duty, RV Stripped Chassis, 4x2
F59 - F-Super Duty, Commercial Basic Stripped Chassis, 4x2

The ninth VIN position is a government assigned, computer-generated check digit.

The tenth VIN position is the Vehicle Model Year.
K - 1989
L - 1990
M - 1991
N - 1992
P - 1993
R - 1994
S - 1995
T - 1996

The elenth VIN position is the Assembly Plant Code.
C - Ontario Truck: Oakville, Ontario
E - Kentucky Truck: Jefferson, Kentucky
H - Lorain: Lorain, Ohio
K - Kansas City: Claymoco, Missouri
L - Michigan Truck: Wayne, Michigan
N - Norfolk: Norfolk, Virginia
P - Twin Cities: St. Paul, Minnesota
U - Louisville: Louisville, Kentucky
V - Kentuck Truck: Jefferson, Kentucky

 

[snicklas]

Also,

I believe if you look at tge ENGINE serial number, next to the gear tower, I've read if its a turbo engine, it will say 7.3T a non-turbo is a 7.3D

There is a serial number break also, it is like 1,16x,*** engine serial..... I know its been posted here

 

[icanfixall]

The 7.3 started with serial number 509,000 and went up to 1,116,330. Then from there on it was a turbo block starting at 1,116,331 upwards from that number. Now the really bad news. Only a real complete tear down will tell you the turo lock actualy has the turbo rods.Every idi lock can use the same rods be it 6.9 or 7.3. Same with cam, crank and most every internal part. we even can use a 7.3 head on the 6.9 blocks but some info is required for that. My recommendation is we run the 6.9 head gaskets on the 7.3 because those gaskets have several more coolant passages that the 7.3 does not have. Again so info is required to do this.
Another way to look at turbo blocks is to see what the oil galley plug size is. The non turbo idi is 1/8 inch where the turbo is 1/4 inch plugs. Hope this helps.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I can't remember, are all of the oil galley plugs 1/4 NPT or just the one for the oil feed to the turbo at the back, upper part of the block?

 

[Shawn MacAnanny]

On the driver side of the block behind the engine mount the casting number on the block will also end in C3 instead of C1

 

[Macrobb]

On the driver side of the block behind the engine mount the casting number on the block will also end in C3 instead of C1

But this just designates the later casting; there are non-turbo blocks made from the same casting.

That being said... the block doesn't matter. What matters(strength wise) is the connecting rods.

 

[G. Mann]

Thanks to everyone for your answers. What a great bunch here!

As said, everything will come clear on tear down. Great tip on checking the turbo oil supply, since the turbo's are already missing, It's a quick visual check to see if the port is 1/4 inch or 1/8 th. That is a deal closer for me.. All 3 trucks are extended cab, long bed. One is a dualie 2x4. Others are 4x4.
Wish me luck.. I really "need" 3 more trucks, right?