Hi Guys...
Thinking of buying an Excursion from a guy...with a 7.3L. 108K on it. Salvage title...was told only front end cosmetic.
Never bought or worked on a diesel. Never bought a salvage either. Vin states it was a V10, this guys swears it's a 7.3L. Can you tell by this pic?
Any thoughts? From all I've read the 7.3L is the motor to have.
Thanks!

 

Yes, that's a 7.3 diesel. The V10 was a 6.8 gas motor. Either one is an excellent engine.

If it has a salvage title and the VIN says it's a V10, this has alarm bells going off pretty loud.

Engine is the 8th VIN character, the 7.3 is "F", the V10 is "S" or "Y".

 

What year is the truck?

 

It's an '03. w/ 108K Has the 4R100 Transmission as well. I saw pics of the damage...just front end and cosmetic...bumper, fender grill. Obviously someone did an engine swap for the 7.3 Everything else is extremely clean inside. Drove great...very smooth.

Opinions?

 

That would have been a pretty involved swap. I think you need to look at it, double check the VIN, and get a Carfax and OASIS report.

 

I'm a little surprised that it has a salvage title if it was just cosmetic, sheet metal, damage. It means it was totaled and sold as a rebuilder. If you are correct as to the engine ID in the serial number, I guess they could have bought two and built one and the serial number they kept does not match what they ended up with.

 

Guys, I really appreciate the input.
Here's a pic I got from the seller:

 

Could it have had a salvage title prior to this accident? I agree, that is not major damage in the picture. Looks like bolt ons and paint

 

My daughter and son in law have a 2004 with the 6.0 and it has been a good, tough vehicle. It was passed down to my 17 year old grandson, has about 200,000 on it.

 

It's a good vehicle, but with a V10 VIN and a diesel in it and a salvage title, this is just screaming problems. I'd see if you can find someone who knows where to find the hidden VIN's and see if they all match.

Bluejay, good luck with that early 6.0.......

 

I know about the problems with the 6.0, but in 200,000 miles, all they have done is replace a water pump. I think it helps that it is never flogged.