1988 Ford F-350 Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1988 Ford F-350 lists a 7.3L diesel V8 among its five engines, with the 4.9L inline-six and the 5.0L, 5.8L and 7.5L gasoline V8s making up the rest. Four bodies are documented, the standard cab pickup, the extended cab pickup, the crew cab pickup and the cab and chassis, in Base, Custom, XL and XLT Lariat trim. Each system section holds its own procedures, specifications, torque values, wiring diagrams and diagnostics, which is how one book handles a truck sold in this many configurations.

Engines covered

• 5.8L V8 (351 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 5.0L V8 (302 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 7.3L V8 (445 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, diesel
• 7.5L V8 (460 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 4.9L inline-six (300 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door standard cab pickup
• 4-door crew cab pickup
• 2-door cab & chassis
• 2-door extended cab pickup

Trims covered

• Base
• Custom
• XL
• XLT Lariat

Known issues on the 1988 F-350. Four recalls are on federal record. One concerns a revised brake lining noise insulator that let more heat reach the front caliper pistons, risking overheated brake fluid, longer stopping distances and a truck that will not hold on a grade. Another concerns an ignition switch that could short internally and overheat, smoke or burn in the steering column. A third covers sliding rear window glazing that did not meet the federal standard. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, led by the electrical system, the service brakes and the engine and cooling system.