1998 Ford Econoline E350 Van: 250,000 Mile Review

Welcome back to the Quick Speed Shop! Today I am doing a 250,000 mile review on my 1998 Ford Econoline 15 passenger E350 van. Sights, sounds, towing! Come check it out.
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[@makingendsmeet551]

I drive a Transit 350 up here in Alaska now. One night I had a problem with the Transit and limped it on over to our mechanics shop in the middle of the night. I was not able to get anyone to help me deal with it and I had a pickup at the airport in like 45 min. I saw a VERY old E350 shuttle sitting there. It was about -30F but they had the old E350 plugged (block heater) in so I checked for keys and they were in it. The old van started so I used it. It was not able to produce much heat but just enough to make everyone comfortable. When I was driving it I was thinking this thing is old. I looked down at the odometer and it said 524,000 miles on it. lol... Prior to my Transit van I had driven a 2013 E350 and put about 200,000 miles on it. It pretty much needed nothing other than regular maintenance up to that point. At about 300,000 another driver hit a moose with it and took it out for good. Our resort has 5 Transits now and I think the oldest one has about 150k on it. Compared to the E350 they have A LOt more issues with them. The Transits are more comfortable to drive especially when you drive them 10k miles per month but other than that the old E350s are the way to go. I worked for another company back in 2014 and they had several E350s with over 300k on them. They did really good maintenance on them and just kept using them. They did the job so they never changed from what worked. If I do my own shuttle company my first van will be and E350. I might end up with newer shuttles after that but I will always have the older E350 as the go to when the never fancy one breaks down. Thanks for the video!

[@QuickSpeedShop]

That's an awesome story!

[@Blackdiamond0125]

Mine has a 397000 and running. A ford e 350. Vans. Love it

[@Sneeezzyy]

There’s a 1996 for sell near me I want it so bad I was going to ask how reliable they are and what to look for

[@SuzNbhollenberry]

These comments help. I'm looking at a 1997 with 96,000 on it now.

[@neilsonlee7610]

We had an E-350 with our company 430,000 miles running strong. V 10 Triton .

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

My '08 E150 cargo van has only 46k miles. Bought it new and it's great for towing or toting.

[@flamingbullet4330]

Mine is still going strong at 599,365 miles 5.4L 16V, 4R100R transmission, Dana 60 rear end. The valve seals are a little deteriorated but I had a oil analysis done on the engine for wear metals and the results were great. The engine transmission and rear diff are all original but not perfect the transmission seeps a little fluid and the rear diff has a bad left side bearing and seal but it still gets a 11 second 0-60 which is only 0.5 from stock! How?? I don't know but it amazes me it still runs so well and shows normal wear metals per oil analysis with no internal engine wear issues. It still tows and is worked just as hard as a young van.

[@TexasMan77]

Cool what year is it?

[@flamingbullet4330]

@@TexasMan77 2000 Model year

[@flamingbullet4330]

@@TexasMan77 m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/apuklpymZtuijpI Its still running currently at 602,850 miles.

[@htatesil4192]

Damn ur 1 of the lucky im running amsoil 180k

[@84400]

My 2001 e350 cargo is at 336,xxx. 7.3 PSD She is retired from heave work and getting the boogie van overhaul. Love the engine!!

[@F6HemiCharger]

My 1998 E150 has 241k miles on it. Almost like a new truck still. I really take care of it well.

[@enriquelantigua6877]

Does it waist a lot of gas?

[@robertmcneil6148]

im buying a lifted 98 e350 in a couple of days, flying to boise to get it and driving it back to VA, has 178k on it, wish me luck lol

[@robertjebediahfreeman]

@@robertmcneil6148 How’d it go?

[@robertmcneil6148]

@@robertjebediahfreeman i went about 90 miles and the alternator went out, guy i bought it from bought me a new one and a new battery and it has been smooth sailing ever since,

[@robertjebediahfreeman]

@@robertmcneil6148 Nice How long did it take to install the battery and alternator?

[@karencarroll4896]

I just bought a 2002 ford econoline ... For $8,000 53,000 original miles .... I guess I have a lot of life in this van

[@Hiram33]

Got a E350 superduty ext. cargo with 578,000 km on it still going strong was old poultry delivery diamond plated thru the back with heat underneath the floor.

[@matttambo9648]

241k miles original engine and transmission, no problems . Just change oil and spark plugs - I have 1999,

[@badbiker666]

My F350 passenger van is a 2014 and has 251,000 miles. It doesn't sit still much. It's in almost perfect condition.

[@USDM_Jesus]

My dad's 2007 has about 260,000 miles and it was having issues we got a new throttle body the car ran fine for 15 minutes before it shut off and the engine was very low on power couldn't make past 60 but for some reason one bay my dab put his foot down and it just went and it's been working fine.

[@angelmcwilliams48]

I’ve got a 1995 E-350 15 passenger van here now 352,806.9 for the mileage absolutely strong and no issues

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Nice

[@benneen9738]

Ever had it’s transmission replaced?

[@angelmcwilliams48]

@@benneen9738 surprised to say with complete honesty original tranny and motor

[@benneen9738]

@@angelmcwilliams48 wow that’s insane motors are built to last. Very surprised the tranny still going

[@SuzNbhollenberry]

😊

[@clarenceswope3026]

Joan Jett was the very first 45 I ever bought jeez that really makes me feel old LOL haha

[@kyle0390]

I'm with u all the way I love Ford ecconiline I have a e250 but I don't have any ford transit

[@user-lt4tx6mi6c]

I agree these are so much better than the transit in the Chevy Express

[@edyestrada1931]

I just bought my first “Ford” American vehicle E350 1998 Econolie van 113,000 Purchase price $1400

[@richardbrown-cook9978]

got a 1997 Ford Clubwagon XLT 1TON 15 passenger van with 5.4L Triton V8. BEST DARN VAN I HAD. RUNS GREAT AND MINES EVEN HAD A TURBO WHISTLE WHEN I ACCELERATED DRVINING LIKE A OLDER CHEVY BLOCK V8 ENGINE SO THATS COOL TOO. THEY ARE FANTASTIC VANS. IM SHOCKED MINES HAS THE WHISTLE NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATE. THATS COMMON ON OLDER GM VEHICLES THAT HAVE V8s but im shocked mines does it. Unfortunatley i have to get rid of mine as of tomorrow because spring coil broke on it and cant find part and Ford said it was obsolete to them. i told them thats dumb. lots of people still drive the older model ford vans like us. DTEP IT UP FORD AND GO BACK TO MAKING WHAT PARTS ARE NECCISSARY.

[@justanotheraviator2357]

There's plenty of aftermarket

[@nightvan4427]

Hi, Thanks I bought a beautiful black one today!

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Awesome

[@nightvan4427]

@@QuickSpeedShop Thanks

[@workingcountry1776]

I just bought my first Econoline. Its a 1992 E150 with a 302 AOD 3.55:1 power train setup. Slow as heck but its a high top conversion so super comfortable for the family. Best thing is it has 65,000 actual miles! Now I want one for work! Hey you said easy to work on? My 1991 f150 is ez to work on.... this looks tough

[@QuickSpeedShop]

I think they are easier to work on than newer cars. The hardest part is getting to stuff on the middle of the engine. Brakes and other maintenance items are pretty easy. I think the 5.0L/5.8L vans probably have a little more room under the hood than the 4.6L/5.4L vans do.

[@workingcountry1776]

@@QuickSpeedShop guess I will see when my tune-up parts come in. Working on a van has been my one reservation over the years. I only bought an E150 because I've got 3 kids and I can't afford a Honda Odyssey, the DD we really wanted.

[@Xpurple]

I have a 99 E350 with 450k miles on it. Still runs like it was new.

[@SuzNbhollenberry]

😊 promising commemt!

[@shreditude]

I got a 95 ford conversion van with high top, 208k and counting

[@user-rl4bt8xo1p]

Приветствую ребятки , у меня Фиат Добло 2015 года и 2019 , Ездил на многих грузовиках но недавно сел у друга на е350 4х4 ( он передний привод делал сам) и двигатель дизельный 3 литра с Мерседеса w140 . Он так запал мне в душу что ищю себе е350!

[@JJ_DaJenius]

I have a 2004 with 305,000 one of the best investments I ever made

[@nebnme]

There's not a whole lot of videos on the one ton with the 460 I didn't catch what motor he had in this video I just hope mine still running that well when I get to that mileage

[@QuickSpeedShop]

This one was a 5.4l.

[@Floof_Factory]

I'm thinking of getting one but I'm kinda worried about one thats more than 20 years old. So I'm looking at early 2000's with less than 200k miles. Any thoughts?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

The only trouble with these vans was the Triton engines blowing spark plugs out of the heads. I think they had that fixed by the 2000s. I think '02 and up they switched to rear disc brakes as well.

[@christopher6161]

what kind of mileage do you get in yours? what about e250 vs e350, i can buy an e250 for $800 but the e350 looks enticing. thanks

[@QuickSpeedShop]

I got 15 mpg empty on the highway, about 13 mpg in town, 10 mpg towing. The van weights almost 6000 lbs so I thought that was pretty good.

[@robbierob9639]

Econoline with more than 200k miles is a sign of a hard worker

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Most of the time I used it was either loaded or pulling a trailer. Triton engines rock!

[@robbierob9639]

totally.

[@Miguelcoolio]

My 94 15 passanger with the 7.5l engine is still running strong at 289,xxx miles no oil leaks or anything

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Nice!

[@workingcountry1776]

Wow a big block van? Single digit gas mileage??

[@Miguelcoolio]

@@workingcountry1776 pretty much does great when towing tho

[@kevinnelson7070]

I was considering buying one for my scrap endeavors It was priced at 900$ with 140,000 miles on it it has a 4.9L engine in it if i get it this will be my first the year of it is 1993 I just dont know alot about vans so im not sure about purchasing it, in your knowledge what do you think of this year and is the 4.9b a good engine?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Yes, the 4.9l is bulletproof. Perfect workhorse engine.

[@kevinnelson7070]

@@QuickSpeedShop much appreciated👍

[@frederickfrei8286]

I have a 1998 E350 with 223,000. Couple of months ago changed all 8 plugs and coils. Now I am getting a P0303 code misfire #3 and or air leak intake manifold. I hope its not the manifold gasket ! I am getting quotes of $3000 to do the job..... Any suggestions are welcome

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Could just be a bad coil or plug or wire. I've had new coils go bad after a few thousand miles.

[@adriansgmail7885]

'02 E150 Traveler 5.4L 2v 231,000 Orig Motor & Trans. In these comments it's just a baby. lol Blown head gasket 14,000 miles ago. Sealed w Blue Devil. Oil every 3k, a few coils/plugs. Use it for motocross. Purrrrrs

[@chrisreed26]

I'm considering a 1999 E350 15 Passenger van that was prior Govt owned and maintained...only 101,000 original miles..again, fleet govt maintained..Beautiful condition inside and out...I am looking to turn into a camper myself, like an Adventure van that is all the rage now days haha They only want $6988.00..Also looking at a 2006 E350 wheelchair van shorter version but has high top roof..96K miles..BUT..the roof line up front top looks like a big blob of black sealent lumps so maybe had a problem with leaks? Both have front/rear A/C which I want and the 15 pass is fully carpted trimmed out but wheelchair model has vinyl flooring with usual power options..any advice?? of it's also same price at a different dealer..$6988

[@QuickSpeedShop]

I prefer 15 pass to 12 pass vans. Another thing to consider is the HC van was converted to that lift, pop up roof, etc. Some places do sketchy work when the conversion happens so potential for problems there. Almost $7000 seems high for a 21 year old van IMO, but I'm used to buying broken down junk and have never bought anything from a dealer so what do I know.

[@BOREDANDWELLBORED]

@@QuickSpeedShop hopefully you'll respond to this. I have a 97 e350 and I can't locate the *IGNITION CONTROL MODULE* anywhere. Not under the battery, not on the side, nowhere. 96 and under is easy to find, but 97 & up was changed and there's no information online I can find to locate it. Do you know how to find it? Thanks

[@Jovanni_lopez_13]

Mine is falling apart sadly, my dad had it for over 17 +years and yet still stays the strongest , I will be sad when the time comes for her to go.

[@Jovanni_lopez_13]

All I can it is a great van for what it is, the only car in my family that actually lasted over a decade.

[@QuickSpeedShop]

@@Jovanni_lopez_13 I love these vans, I've had two on the road and two for parts. Unfortunately, mine blew a head gasket at 255K. I'll have to part it out this coming spring.

[@yuppy-gr4qj]

Hello 👋 thank you for your review. I have a 1997 ford econoline 150 has 5.4 power everything. I got a question for you and who ever knows of these vans. I have a slight tick to the motor. Sounds like a diesel idaling. . Was told timing chain. And gears. Runs great. But has this sound .should I be concerned.? Or is it normal? It had 198.000 on it. Full tune up all maintenance done to it. Also kinda sounds like marbles when idaling. Thanks 😊 I do like it a lot. I agree econoline all the way. They can keep that funny looking foreign van. 😒

[@QuickSpeedShop]

I think that tick is the timing chain. I think the chain guides get worn and make noise. Mine ticked for years. The timing chain sets aren't very expensive, but the SOHC setup with the 5.4L heads is kind of complicated so if you're a novice mechanic you would want an experience mod motor Ford mechanic to do the repair.

[@yuppy-gr4qj]

@@QuickSpeedShop thank you. For the info. It burns oil also. Plus body mounts rotting bad. I will just drive it long as possibly get another 1 . Runs great tho. 👍

[@bobrossisdead1745]

Should I buy one with 213000 on it for 1600? Should I buy and gut out for my first car?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Absolutely

[@elvispresley2635]

I told the recording people you used Joan's music

[@dodiy77]

Could a Ford van tow an enclosed trailer with 5000 pounds in it?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

An E250 or E350 could. I towed the equivalent of that weight many times. Trailer brakes help.

[@Blackdiamond0125]

Yes i have towed more tha that.

[@christopher6161]

dude these things have insane legal towing capacity, 7000 on an e150, 7600 for the e250, 10,000!!! on an e350, and that's the same for all models 1992-2014.

[@wolvertonlecensura9541]

did you put the hitch on there?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Yes, towed thousands of miles.

[@wolvertonlecensura9541]

@@QuickSpeedShop cool stuff, I'm gettin a 1997 E350 V10 tomorrow. Do you have a video of ur tow packg install?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

No, mine just bolted to the bottom of the frame. Wiring was already there

[@terenceswitzer5947]

For some reason my van has the v8 tritron motor .its a 2002 .when it hits 90 miles per hour .it hesitates

[@QuickSpeedShop]

90 mph? I don't know what to tell you. Most places the speed limit is 65 or 70 so...Could be a bunch of things. Fuel starvation, air filter, fuel filter, old plugs, bad coil, plugged exhaust...

[@camvilla416]

Would u buy one that has 350k miles

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Sure as long as the engine didn't make noise and it wasn't all rusted out. There is a guy on the internet with an Econoline with over 1.2 million miles on it.

[@jhondavid7586]

380000 miles on my 99 cargo and kicking strong

[@joeguerra3433]

I just bought a 2010 e350 passenger van with 204,000 miles for $9000. It looks in great shape, super clean. I feel good about it . Doesn't smoke, no funny noise. Has plenty power. 1st thing is to put some high mileage oil. And start taking care of it. These body styles are hard to find nowadays

[@xcmskim4]

Original transmission?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

As far as I know, yes.

[@d3m0niccity16]

Just curious what do guys use your vans for

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Hauling and towing

[@d3m0niccity16]

@@QuickSpeedShop still have it to this day?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

No, blew a head gasket. Parted it out and sent the rest to the scrap yard

[@d3m0niccity16]

@@QuickSpeedShop how many miles did it have when that happened

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Close to 260k. Needed tires, brakes, and was starting to rust so I decided it wasn't worth fixing.

[@aedanhickey5264]

whats the update on this for 2020?!

[@QuickSpeedShop]

It blew a head gasket in June of 2019 at 255k miles. I used it for a shed for a year and just took it to the junkyard last week.

[@aedanhickey5264]

QuickSpeedShop dang sorry to hear about that man, did you get another one?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Actually I just did. Went old school and just picked up a 1988 E150 that I am going to backdate to about 1977 and build as a 1970s boogie van. Videos coming out on it soon.

[@aedanhickey5264]

@@QuickSpeedShop Nice I'm looking at a 1993 Ford E350 7.3 L, for 3,600. It has 160,000 miles. Is that a pretty good deal?

[@christopher6161]

@@aedanhickey5264 the diesel vans are typically really expensive so if it runs good and isn't rusty yes that's a good deal.

[@juancanolopez8]

You think i put a 7.3 in one ?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

You can get them with 7.3 or 6.0 depending on the year.

[@juancanolopez8]

@@QuickSpeedShop i have a 1996 club wagon with a 5.8 and and im wondering if i could 7.3 swap it.

[@karnobot9814]

The fun thing for high mileage van owners like me with 500k miles is to watch most maintenance guys take a second look at the mileage to make sure its correct. Second most entertaining is when they say "is it original miles"? To which I reply, under what case that owner would even attempt rolling up not down miles of the vehicle?

[@razor3003]

Joan Jett would be proud! Do you still have it?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

No, unfortunately it blew a head gasket and I ended up junking it last year after about 255k.

[@anotherm2722]

@@QuickSpeedShop oh no:( Well, I guess you didn't have that much in it. Did it overheat?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Blew on the outside of the head on a trip 6 hrs from home. Coolant leaked out of the head, but not in combustion chamber. Just kept it filled up until I got home. I put over 25K miles on the van and had maybe $1500 in it so got my money out of it.

[@campbellvernois870]

Is it 4x4?

[@QuickSpeedShop]

No.

[@campbellvernois870]

@@QuickSpeedShop thank you

[@naughtyue7284]

Gas or diesle

[@QuickSpeedShop]

5.4L 2V

[@chadglover_239]

You sound like you may have a wny accent ? 😁

[@QuickSpeedShop]

Correct. I'll have a Genny Lt with my Mighty Taco.

[@chadglover_239]

@@QuickSpeedShop oh shit . Tomorrow morning will be rough haha . I’m from wellsville originally . Just bought a 99 e250 . For motocross . ✌🏻