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Old 12-02-2020, 04:13 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 124
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 5.9L 24V-L6 Cummins
Rated Cap: 37'
What is a "7.3 Diesel engine"?

Hey folks!

What is a 7.3 Diesel engine? I've tried researching it, and it seems they are on the really old buses (and thats where I'm seeing it in listings also), perhaps the pre-DT466 engine? Any good? Should it be paired with any particular transmission?

Thanks everyone!

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Old 12-02-2020, 04:16 PM   #2
Traveling
 
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Originally Posted by Sevier View Post
Hey folks!

What is a 7.3 Diesel engine? I've tried researching it, and it seems they are on the really old buses (and thats where I'm seeing it in listings also), perhaps the pre-DT466 engine? Any good? Should it be paired with any particular transmission?

Thanks everyone!
7.3 is a Navistar engine, used in its medium-duty offerings and supplied to Ford for some of their light-duty / medium-duty truck applications. It came in two versions - an IDI and the PowerStroke (not to be confused with its successor - the 6.0 PowerJoke). Some later Navistar versions of this were dubbed the T444 / T444E, as it is 444 CID.

Good engine if maintained well, better with a turbo, but not a powerhouse. As for transmission, depends on the application. I prefer and recommend manuals myself, but they are getting harder to find these days.

Most Ford minibuses will have the AOD or AOD-E, possibly the 4R75W, depending on year model. Larger buses, I would try for the MT643 or 2000. You almost never see these with the better transmissions, but they are out there. The AT545 is the base offering, not a terrible transmission but it does have its limitations. Most will do fine for low-speed without a lot of highway and mountains, but have been known to fail. If either are in your plans, I would suggest the MT643 or 2000 Allison. It's possible a few may have been built with MD3060s, but I've not seen one.
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Old 12-02-2020, 04:32 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
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Posts: 124
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 5.9L 24V-L6 Cummins
Rated Cap: 37'
Ah! It IS a V8 Turbo! 1987 Thomas - those old ones are so pretty.

Thankyou Cheese_Wagon!
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Old 12-02-2020, 04:32 PM   #4
Traveling
 
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Ah! It IS a V8 Turbo! 1987 Thomas - those old ones are so pretty.

Thankyou Cheese_Wagon!
Sounds like a good buy for the right price if it's not rusty and mechanically sound. Is it a conventional or a flatnose? If flatnose, is it a Saf-T-Liner?
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Old 12-05-2020, 11:26 AM   #5
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 124
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 5.9L 24V-L6 Cummins
Rated Cap: 37'
Quote:
Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON View Post
Sounds like a good buy for the right price if it's not rusty and mechanically sound. Is it a conventional or a flatnose? If flatnose, is it a Saf-T-Liner?
It is a conventional, International Thomas, 225K miles, $8,500. Also found an 1988 International Thomas, 209K miles, $9,500 but it doesnt have a Turbo engine. They have high ceilings though, and no rust. Still trying ton confirm the length w the seller, and looking for a mechanic to inspect them.
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Old 12-05-2020, 02:38 PM   #6
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The 6.9 was the predecessor to the 7.3 and was built through 1987 - the 7.3 replaced it (as well as the IH 9.0L) in 1988 as neither could meet emissions coming into 1988. So be advised that for an '87 year model, it may have the 6.9 (it's also possible the 6.9 was swapped for a 7.3 at some point, since they are largely interchangeable.) The two engines are visually similar so it's easy to mix them up.
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Old 12-06-2020, 04:05 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 124
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 5.9L 24V-L6 Cummins
Rated Cap: 37'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur View Post
The 6.9 was the predecessor to the 7.3 and was built through 1987 - the 7.3 replaced it (as well as the IH 9.0L) in 1988 as neither could meet emissions coming into 1988. So be advised that for an '87 year model, it may have the 6.9 (it's also possible the 6.9 was swapped for a 7.3 at some point, since they are largely interchangeable.) The two engines are visually similar so it's easy to mix them up.
Oh thats really helpful, I'll make sure its a 7.3 proper!
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