1990 e-350 7.3 engine - Diesel Forum

surfacedr · 10-12-2009, 10:01 PM

Hi I just purchased my first diesel (1990 e-350 7.3 van/ ambulance, 75K orig mi, new HD transmission) and I was told that it was a great engine. I did make it from Jersey to Vail colorado. The issue is that when ever I hit a hill (big or small) I loose all power. I could only go 35 mph up a pass and it was making some noise to say the least. On flat ground it is ok, but I live in the mountains and I thought that a diesel should tear a hill apart. I m seeing black smoke come out also. If it is a cracked head, should I have it machined or should I just bite the bullet and get a new or rebuilt engine. Which one and why. What are the cost that I am looking at for this? Thanks for the help in this very stressful time.

blageurt · 10-13-2009, 05:14 PM

You have an IDI , maybe the IDI dudes can answer you question. I think you need to change your air filter and maybe turn up your injection pump ( Best Guess since I have a powerstroke !)

Kaliburz · 10-14-2009, 12:09 PM

Was it smoking or any other type of tail pipe emissions?

Is this a van body ambulance (single rear wheel) or a cab chassis ambulance (usually a dually)? That'll give an idea on how big it is....and heavy.

Also, look on your door at the vin, weights sticker. What's the axle code? It'll mention what the ratio is. I'm guessing it's prob a 4:10....

As stated, check/change the filters. Jersey is "sea level" (close to it) and fairly flat. Colorado isn't exactly at sea level either. Maybe the injection pump was "optimized" for sea level...

surfacedr · 10-15-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaliburz

Was it smoking or any other type of tail pipe emissions?

Is this a van body ambulance (single rear wheel) or a cab chassis ambulance (usually a dually)? That'll give an idea on how big it is....and heavy.

Also, look on your door at the vin, weights sticker. What's the axle code? It'll mention what the ratio is. I'm guessing it's prob a 4:10....

As stated, check/change the filters. Jersey is "sea level" (close to it) and fairly flat. Colorado isn't exactly at sea level either. Maybe the injection pump was "optimized" for sea level...

Yes, this is a van body and a dually. I have taken it into a shop and he seems to thing the injection pump is either bad or needs to be adjusted. If It needs to be replaced, where is a reasonable place to purchase one? HE also told me that the engine is kind a a dog as far as speed goes, but tons of torque. Is there anything I can do to give this sucker a bit more power to go up hills. I love this thing and plan on having it for a long time, so I want it running as good as possible and possibly even tricked out.
Thanks for all the info.

cdnsarguy · 10-30-2009, 08:15 PM

Your not the first to experience poor speed and black smoke.....altitude does that. If your truck was a sea level set IP vehicle then a change to high altitude settings/IP may be required. The BARO sensor also changes shift schedule to compensate, maybe it is not working correctly. Were you shifting it down on hills or letting the trans do it.

As stated our guys over on the IDI forum would be glad to help you.

beaker · 10-31-2009, 09:26 AM

Years ago, I ran the same vehicle (mine was a U-Haul) through the Rockies. I had a trailer in tow running around 17,000 GCVW. I managed about 30 mph up those hills. Lots of black smoke as well. My recollection is that there was a high altitude version of the IDI that smoked less but also docked 20hp.

Find a turbo kit for the vehicle if you live in the mountains, but watch your EGTs when you do as that will become the new limit to speed up those passes.