Gearing up for the first "Big trip"

finally03gt · 11-18-2015, 06:52 AM

Been under the hood of my TV, 1996 F350 for 2 days..haha. In late December we are dragging the TT from Houston to central NM for a winter trip. This should be interesting.

TWP723 · 11-18-2015, 06:59 AM

Envious!

finally03gt · 11-18-2015, 02:13 PM

I'm a tad anxious. First trip with the F-350, and alot of unknowns for me there. Oh and recently discovered it has an open rear diff.

**norty1** · 11-18-2015, 02:19 PM

My last truck was a 96 F 350 CC DRW. 7.3psd.

finally03gt · 11-18-2015, 03:02 PM

Thats what this is, only SRW. I just replaced the UVCH and soldered in a newer model connector to replace my melted one. I also replaced the O-rings on the HPOP. It idles uneven when it starts until you high Idle, and I'm not sure how concerned I should be about that.

**norty1** · 11-18-2015, 06:20 PM

One thing I added was a transmission temp gauge. The transmission in mine was prone to over heating and I had to have it re-built several times before I could monitor the temps.

finally03gt · 11-18-2015, 06:30 PM

I think its common on the E4OD transmission. I plan to use an app called Torque Pro to monitor temps, IF I can get my OBD port working...

cekkk · 11-19-2015, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

One thing I added was a transmission temp gauge. The transmission in mine was prone to over heating and I had to have it re-built several times before I could monitor the temps.

My 4R100 overheated twice. Both times the gauge was in the normal range until it almost popped into the red. I don't know if the gauge was bad or is just crappy frm the beginning. On a cool or even coldish morning it would be in the normal operating range in a short time, maybe a quarter or half mile. So I installed a gauge and now know what the temp is.

A neighbor and his sons have owned the Pikes Peak racing world in several events for decades, and he told me the problem was not keeping my revs sufficiently high when pulling a load up long, steep grades here in the mountains. He also pointed out that the transmission cooler was inadequate and recommended I put in a 6.0 cooler. That information has ended any overheating problems and so far I've not had to rebuild it.

dsmith3 · 11-19-2015, 06:17 PM

We pulled our 2015 Flight 32BHDS to Wyoming this summer. Water/Coolant temp was the only thing that would get in the "hot" range (due to EGTs) and only when we were going over Raton pass and up to Laramie from Cheyenne.

"Must-have" mods made to my '99 7.3:

1) 4-gauges on pillar (EGT, Trans temp, Water temp, Turbo Boost - Autometer full-sweep dials)
2) K&N cold air intake
3) 6.0 Trans cooler
4) 4-inch MBRP exhaust

NOTE: So pleased with the water temp gauge. Factory gauge doesn't even move until about 240 degrees and then it moves suddenly to almost the "hot-red" range. Gives me peace of mind to know what's going on under the hood.

finally03gt · 11-19-2015, 10:05 PM

What's that trailer weigh?
My temp gauge moves, but stays on the cool side. Seems to be common with the 195* T-stat. I put in an EGT gauge, the others I plan to monitor with Torque (when I can get my OBD port working). I've heard the K&N's aren't great for turbos. The initial filtration level isn't high enough, and they get a bit restrictive once they start collecting. Today I installed a 3" down pipe and open element air filter. I'd like to get a trans cooler, but no time or money for it now. I do have some type of cooler mounted in front of the radiator, and I have trans. lines going to the radiator, so it's some type auxiliary cooler??

cekkk · 11-20-2015, 12:53 PM

I removed my K&N and replaced it with a Ford/Donaldson AIS. And the stock 7.3 transmission cooler is really small. My 6.0 is a 26 row, but I think they made one with over 30.

**norty1** · 11-20-2015, 01:04 PM

When I bought my old 7.3, it already had an extra tranny cooler. I think that transmission was the weak link to a bulletproof engine.

cekkk · 11-20-2015, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

When I bought my old 7.3, it already had an extra tranny cooler. I think that transmission was the weak link to a bulletproof engine.

x2

Racinforthefinish · 11-20-2015, 02:46 PM

With my 7.3 I went through two transmissions under warranty and when I had to buy the next one I went with the B-D performance transmission out of Canada. Larger ports and larger pan among many different parts. 200,000 on it and not a hitch.

cekkk · 11-20-2015, 03:32 PM

A couple rebuild shops on a Ford diesel forum had great reputations for beefing the 4R100 to near bullet proof level, according to the posters. So about three years ago I checked the price. Both the California shop and the one in a southern state, can't recall which, charged roughly $3500. So last year I was going to make an appointment for the California shop as I was staying close to it that winter. Price had shot up to $5500! Same for the southern shop. So I'll be babying this one.

dsmith3 · 11-20-2015, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finally03gt

What's that trailer weigh?
My temp gauge moves, but stays on the cool side. Seems to be common with the 195* T-stat. I put in an EGT gauge, the others I plan to monitor with Torque (when I can get my OBD port working). I've heard the K&N's aren't great for turbos. The initial filtration level isn't high enough, and they get a bit restrictive once they start collecting. Today I installed a 3" down pipe and open element air filter. I'd like to get a trans cooler, but no time or money for it now. I do have some type of cooler mounted in front of the radiator, and I have trans. lines going to the radiator, so it's some type auxiliary cooler??

When loaded for Wyoming trip trailer weighed in around its gross (10K).

My K&N is large open-element like yours and is high performance:
http://www.knfilters.com/mobile/mPro...kBEiQAF8EFdeWM

I looked into several dash-mounted monitors/programmers but my early-99 OBD did not provide for several important temps including Trans temp. Therefore, I went with manual Autometer gauges (and love them).

spoon059 · 11-20-2015, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finally03gt

In late December we are dragging the TT from Houston to central NM for a winter trip.

Am I reading this right...? You are leaving the warm south and headed into the frigid gates of desperation in the midst of winter? One of these things is not like the other...

Hope you enjoy the trip. About 2 months after you travel the wrong way we will be headed to Florida in February for a 2 week trip. Our first long tip with the new trailer and new truck.

I hope that both of us have incredibly boring drives to and from!!!

finally03gt · 11-20-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cekkk

I removed my K&N and replaced it with a Ford/Donaldson AIS. And the stock 7.3 transmission cooler is really small. My 6.0 is a 26 row, but I think they made one with over 30.

Mine is a Baldwin PA 2818?? huge filter and no box. So far so good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

When I bought my old 7.3, it already had an extra tranny cooler. I think that transmission was the weak link to a bulletproof engine.

Thats what I'm hearing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmith3

When loaded for Wyoming trip trailer weighed in around its gross (10K).

My K&N is large open-element like yours and is high performance:
K&N part 57-2531 information

I looked into several dash-mounted monitors/programmers but my early-99 OBD did not provide for several important temps including Trans temp. Therefore, I went with manual Autometer gauges (and love them).

Torque can do trans, but it takes a custom PID. As I understand it the problem with K&N is the oil concept. The filtration efficiency is low when first clean, so it's rough on the turbo. Then once the oil starts to collect a little and the filtration efficiency goes up, it gets restrictive. But that's all just reading on forums. No experience myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoon059

Am I reading this right...? You are leaving the warm south and headed into the frigid gates of desperation in the midst of winter? One of these things is not like the other...

Hope you enjoy the trip. About 2 months after you travel the wrong way we will be headed to Florida in February for a 2 week trip. Our first long tip with the new trailer and new truck.

I hope that both of us have incredibly boring drives to and from!!!

Thanks. Kids want snow for Christmas.

dsmith3 · 11-20-2015, 07:14 PM

Combination of high-performance cold air intake and 4-inch exhaust makes my 7.3 PSD feel like a Porsche! Amazing acceleration response (and boost) with no chip. Great truck!

Racinforthefinish · 11-20-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmith3

Combination of high-performance cold air intake and 4-inch exhaust makes my 7.3 PSD feel like a Porsche! Amazing acceleration response (and boost) with no chip. Great truck!

now add a chip, respool the turbo where it starts working at idle,and add a Banks waste gate, of course now you need a performance tranny!

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