I am looking at a truck that has the 7.4 in it (over the net). What is the trans and are there any problems w/ the motor? Thanks.

It's got a 4L80E and the engine is bomb proof mechanically. I would check the heater outlet from the intake manifold though. There is a hose that comes off the passenger side of the aluminum intake near the front of the engine. It has a quick connect on it and runs to the fire wall.

Check the steel fitting that is screwed into the manifold... they tend to rot and blow out when least convenient. If there is any white corrosion around it, have it replaced ASAP.

The above post says it all.

The 4L80 is a pretty tough transmission also. Just keep it cool. The 7.4 is a great engine. Supposedly the one in my dually lasted to almost 200,000 miles before being rebuilt. This was mainly towing a 5th wheel all its life.

BUT, the secrets my truck hold have not been all unveiled and I am thinking that the engine actually lasted a lot longer. I believe that the engine block has over 300,000 miles on it right now. And with my TBI fuel pressure knocked down some, it idles pretty smooth. Keep the engine cool and it should outlive the truck.

Dad's 99 454 has 110k on it and he has only replaced the crank sensor (it didn't like to start immediately sometimes, and apparently that was causing it).

Still has original plugs and everything and runs great-gets 10 mpgs.

Thanks to all. I am going to look at this truck close if the owner answers questions for me correctly.

I loved all three of the 454's I owned. I had the problem with the fitting mentioned above on one of them at about 130K miles and had a hydroboost (actually power steering pump) fail at about 25K miles. No other problems. Mileage depended on driving conditions. My 4x4 dually (4L80E) got about 11 empty 9 towing, my 3500 SRW (4L80E) and 2500 (5 spd) both got 12 city, 14.5 highway, 12 towing. Man those things felt like they could pull anything.