The Ford Motorcraft F4TZ-6881-B (F4TZ6881B) is a genuine OEM front oil cooler mounting header engineered specifically for 1994–2003 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty and OBS trucks, 2000–2003 Ford Excursions, and 1994.5–2003 Ford E-Series vans equipped with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel engine. Bolting directly to the driver-side engine block front pad just behind the water pump and front timing cover, this cast aluminum housing secures the forward end of the tubular oil cooler heat exchanger bundle while circulating engine coolant around the inner core and routing pressurized engine oil through the internal passages. Manufactured directly to original Ford engineering blueprints, it guarantees flat gasket mating surfaces, exact port alignment, and leak-free O-ring sealing.

Pinhole coolant leaks, engine oil weeping along the front driver-side frame rail, coolant and engine oil cross-contamination caused by warped or cracked cast housings, stripped block mounting bolt holes, and severe internal corrosion pitting around the tube receiver bore are what this genuine front header cures. Because the oil cooler operates under both high engine oil pressure (40–60+ PSI) and pressurized engine cooling system dynamics, degraded, pitted, or warped aftermarket cast headers frequently tear internal O-rings and allow oil to mix directly into the cooling system. The genuine Ford F4TZ-6881-B provides factory casting density and precision-machined internal sealing chamfers to protect oil cooler O-rings during installation. It is an authentic Ford OEM bare front oil cooler header casting; the tubular cooler bundle, rear oil filter header, mounting gaskets, and internal silicone O-rings are sold separately.

It fits all 1994–1997 Ford OBS and 1999–2003 Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks, 2000–2003 Ford Excursions, and 1994.5–2003 Ford E-250, E-350, and E-450 Econoline vans equipped with the 7.3L Powerstroke turbo diesel engine.

Fitment

• 1994–1997 Ford F-250 / F-350 7.3L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel (OBS)
• 1999–2003 Ford F-250 / F-350 / F-450 / F-550 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel
• 2000–2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel
• 1994.5–2003 Ford E-250 / E-350 / E-450 Econoline Van 7.3L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel
• Genuine Ford OEM replacement casting ensures precise alignment and sealing
• Precision-machined internal bore chamfer prevents cutting or pinching O-rings during assembly
• Direct bolt-on replacement for warped, pitted, or cracked front oil cooler castings
• Engineered to withstand heavy hydraulic oil pressure and hot engine coolant cycling
• Driver-side front block pad mounting location
• Replaces Ford engineering part number F4TE-6884-AA
• Bare front cast aluminum mounting header (gaskets and O-rings sold separately)

Position a large drain pan underneath the front driver side of the engine, open the radiator drain petcock, and completely drain the engine coolant; also drain the engine oil if completing a total cooler rebuild. Loosen the front engine crossmember or driver-side inner fender liner if additional clearance is needed. Unbolt the rear oil filter header from the block, unbolt the three front mounting bolts securing the front header to the engine block, and extract the complete oil cooler assembly (front header, center tube bundle, and rear header) out from under the vehicle. Place the assembly onto a heavy-duty shop bench and use a wooden block or soft mallet to tap the front header casting off the center tube bundle. Thoroughly clean the engine block mounting pad with a scraper, brass brush, and brake cleaner until completely free of residual gasket material and dirt. Clean the exposed ends of the oil cooler tube bundle, ensuring the sealing lands are free of sharp burs or deep gouges. Coat the new internal silicone O-rings generously with clean engine oil or petroleum jelly, roll them onto the front end of the tube bundle, and press the new Ford F4TZ-6881-B front header straight and square onto the bundle using a bench vise, hydraulic press, or bar clamp (never hammer directly on the cast ears). Install a new OEM block gasket, position the rebuilt oil cooler assembly back onto the engine block, and hand-thread the mounting bolts. Torque the front header-to-block mounting bolts in an alternating pattern to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm), refill the crankcase with fresh 15W-40 diesel oil and the cooling system with a 50/50 diesel coolant mix, and run the engine to verify zero fluid leaks.