reliability of old 7.3 engines pre Powerstroke. (1990-1993)

[E350]

carringb: I agree with you on expense vs benefit vs practicalities involved. So, with my unconditional waiver of liability, blah, blah, blah, and without incurring any liability on your part, what coolant do you suggest running, what SCA additive, and what SCA test strips (?) and where to buy it all?

[rockbender]

I'm pretty sure I used Fleetguard DCA4 and got it and the test strips from my local International (big truck) dealer. I think you can get it at NAPA as well.

Oil, FWIW, is Chevron Delo 15w-40. Some people like Shell Rotella, others swear by synthetics... I've always used the Chevron in all the heavy equipment and trucks for every company I've worked for and it seems to work fine.

Also, the 7.3 PSD oil filter (Motorcraft FL1995) is about twice the size of the 6.9/7.3 IDI filter but will fit and work fine providing a bit more capacity.

[E350]

Hey rockbender: Thanks for the product suggestions. And it is good for copescobra and other 7.3L IDI owners to know that they can use the 7.3L PSD FL1995 oil filter (it is friggin' huge!)

[carringb]

I would probably just use all Napa, including regular green coolant (unless another brand is on sale) and their SCA and SCA test strips. Napa is typically the only chain that keeps SCA and test strips on the shelf. I went to another big parts chain once, and they did not even have conventional green! Only "universal" and some other colors.

[E350]

carringb: Napa also provides the benefit of being nearly everywhere I travel. Thanks.