what problems should i look for when buying this truck?

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Hey there! Happy to help you out with this 1997 F-250 HD. These 7.3L Power Stroke trucks are legendary workhorses, but at 320,000+ miles, there are definitely some key things to check. Here's what I'd recommend looking into:

**Engine: 7.3L Power Stroke**
The good news is these engines can hit 500k+ miles when maintained well. But watch for:
- **Cam Position Sensor (CPS) failure** – a $50 part that'll cause hard/no starts or rough idling. Quick test: see if it starts smoothly cold and hot.
- **Fuel bowl leaks** – the seals and o-rings in the fuel filter housing degrade over time. Check for fuel smell or wet spots under the hood, especially around the filter canister.
- **Turbo up-pipe leaks** – you'll hear hissing and feel reduced power if the joints at the turbo are leaking. Should build boost quickly under throttle.
- **Blow-by** – with this mileage, check the crankcase breather for excessive smoke/pressure. Some is normal; lots of oil mist isn't.
- **Glow plugs & relay** – ask when these were last replaced. Cold starts should be easy if they're good.

**Transmission: E4OD Automatic**
The seller says it was recently rebuilt – that's great news since the E4OD is generally durable but *not* cheap to rebuild. Make sure to:
- **Verify the rebuild** – ask for the receipt and warranty. Good rebuilds include new torque converter, pump, bands, and updated shift solenoids.
- **Test the torque converter lockup** – at ~45 mph, you should feel the RPMs drop about 200-300 when it locks. Surging or shuddering is bad.
- **Check for front seal leaks** – E4ODs are notorious for leaking from the pump seal where it meets the engine.
- **Confirm firm, timely shifts** – flaring between gears or hanging in 2nd too long suggests the rebuild may be incomplete.

**Frame & Body: OBS (Old Body Style) Rust**
This truck's from Tennessee, which is a huge plus (less salt!), but being at a Wisconsin dealer now, check:
- **Frame around the steering box** – 9th gen F-Series often crack the frame where the steering box mounts. Look for cracks, repairs, or the factory "C-channel" reinforcement.
- **Cab corners & rockers** – these love to rust. Peek underneath at the rear cab corners and along the rocker panels.
- **Cab mounts** – lift the floor mats and look at the mounts; they rust from the top down.
- **Door bottoms** – especially on Supercabs, check the lower door edges for bubbling paint.

**High-Mileage 4WD Items**
- **Front axle U-joints** – should have no clunking when engaging 4WD or turning hard.
- **Ball joints & tie rods** – at this age, they're likely worn. Front end should feel tight, not wandering.
- **Bushings** – body mounts, control arms, and sway bar links are probably tired by now.

**Bonus Questions for Salem Autosports:**
1. What exactly was included in the transmission rebuild? (Converter, pump, bands, solenoids?)
2. What's the recent service history on the truck?
3. Any modifications done given the "Modified" status?
4. Can they confirm frame condition with photos showing the steering box area and cab mounts?

At $16,995, this seems pretty fair if the frame is solid and the trans rebuild was done right. Want me to pull up some comparable trucks in this market to see how it stacks up? Or maybe help you find a similar 7.3L with lower miles?

[Check out the F-250 - 9th Gen market here](https://classic.com/m/ford/f-series/9th-gen/f250/) for more options!

Lot 27294: 1997 Ford F-250 HD

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Lot 27294: 1997 Ford F-250 HD

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