Ford›F-250 Heavy Duty›1997›Overview/ford/f-250-heavy-duty/1997/base/

1997 Ford F-250 Heavy Duty

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 F-250 Heavy Duty.

The 1997 Ford F-250 Heavy Duty establishes its mechanical identity through specific maintenance parameters, requiring 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Beyond these fluid specifications, the vehicle's historical record is marked by 14 recalls and a total of 311 owner complaints logged against this model year, with tires identified as the top complaint area. This data anchors the truck's position in reliability history, meaning researchers must account for these specific documented issues when assessing the vehicle's standing.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 UNDER 8500 LBS · 540 - UNDER 8500 LBS CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 UNDER 8500 LBS · 540 - UNDER 8500 LBS CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT245-75R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	232.7 in
Overall width	78.7 in
Overall height	71.7 in
Wheelbase	152 in
Curb weight	5289 lb
Track (front / rear)	65.7 / 63.4 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F-250 Heavy Duty of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 1997 F-150 Lariat SuperCab

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1997	F-150 Lariat SuperCab 5.4L V8	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	235 hp	RWD
1997	F-150 XLT Regular Cab 4.6L V8	8.80 sec	16.60 sec	220 hp	RWD
1997	F-150 Lariat Flareside Regular Cab 4.6L V8	8.90 sec	16.70 sec	220 hp	RWD
1997	F-150 Styleside Regular Cab 4.2L V6	9.30 sec	17.20 sec	202 hp	RWD
1997	F-150 XLT SuperCab 4.6L V8	9.90 sec	17.70 sec	220 hp	RWD
1997	F-150 XLT SuperCab 4.6L V8	10.40 sec	17.90 sec	220 hp	4x4
1998	F-150 XLT SuperCab 5.4L V8	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	235 hp	RWD
1998	F-150 XLT SuperCab 5.4L V8	9.40 sec	17.20 sec	235 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 Pints rear, Ford 8.8 and 9.0
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	6-9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-64 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14-16 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 15-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17-20 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 1.5 ft-lbs; Upper: 15-

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	150.0-177.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	75.0-115.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	75.0-115.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	7.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	7.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	825 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	9.00-11.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	59 UNDER 8500 LBS
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 - UNDER 8500 LBS cca
Optional BCI Group Number	65 - OVER 8500 LBS.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 - OVER 8500 LBS. cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45
RPM	30-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	80-120 CNG
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	1500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure	20-45 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle	70 ft-lbs / 136 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	21-26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.472 in / 1.09 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 120

33 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 120

33 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

66 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

66 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 12,000 mi	Battery (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Throttle Body Lever Stud (lubricate) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1997 Ford F-250 Heavy Duty top in one area — the tires, 43 of 311 reports (14%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 14 recall campaigns target the tires, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 20 of the reports describe a crash and 19 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the tires pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

316

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

311

Owner complaints

20 involved a crash · 19 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 311 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires43

Power Train31

Suspension25

Service Brakes, Hydraulic25

Engine & Engine Cooling23

Fuel System, Gasoline22

Steering20

Electrical System17

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V385000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:MountingReported 29/07/2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION…

06V286000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 01/08/2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 316 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB160073	2016-04-21	Fuel System, Gasoline	Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
16-0073	2016-04-21	Fuel System, Gasoline	For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003…
TSB-14-0164	2014-09-09	Equipment	FORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR OPERATING, FOR AN EXTENDED…
TSB-14-0147	2014-08-11	Fuel System, Gasoline	FORD/LINCOLN: SAFETY RECALL ISSUED DUE TO ONE OR BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURING DUE TO…
07212	2007-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…