Hi all,
I'm strongly considering buying an older Ford diesel. I love diesels, trucks, and will be wanting a 4X4 manual transmission truck. I can't afford a PSD, and want to stay away from them although I know they're a great engine. So I guess I'm looking for a 6.9 or 7.3, and looking for advice.
> Any particular year engines to stay away from? I know the 7.3s can have an issue with cavitation...
> How do these start in the winter, without being plugged in. I'm in college and usually can't plug in, so assuming the batteries, starter, and glowplugs/relay are in good shape, and maybe running synthetic oil, will I be able to start?
> I've heard anything from 10-15 on mileage... whats the general average? Its kind of a shock that its that low, I've been driving my dads 97 PSD getting 17-18.
> I'm pretty much set on a manual. I prefer driving them, feel that they generally last longer and are more durable. However, how are the autos?
> How electronically controlled are these engines? I don't like electronics, my current Mercedes has electricity to the glowplugs and thats it. But I don't want to buy a junk dodge wrapped around a cummins in order to get that again.
> How do the different year/model engines differ in power? I know a turbo would add a lot, so I may go for one of those if I can find one. I don't have the money or time to put an aftermarket turbo on anything, so how are the NA 6.9 and 7.3's on power? I'm not looking to burn rubber at every stoplight, or smoke the little ricerockets every time, but I would like to be able to get where I need to go. Not pulling trailers much, but when I do it'll be a 4-6 horse steel gooseneck (heavy) in the mountains of Colorado. I figure any of these good Ford diesels will get me there, its just a question of how long it'll take. Can these hold up to a good amount of tongue weight from a trailer? I see 'em pulling big trailers all the time... just don't know if the owner has beefed up the suspension or something.
Feel free to give advice or answer just one question. If anyone knows of a good truck for sale near Kentucky... let me know. Thanks.
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1994 F-350 CC LB SRW 4x4 5 spd. manual. Homebuilt vegetable oil fuel system coming soon. 250k.
Dads truck - 1997 F-350 CC LB SRW 4x4 5 spd. manual. Stock except for the vegistroke fuel system, over 75k on WVO. 215k on the truck.
-Early (83-84) 6.9 can form cracks around the block heater in the block. All 7.3 IDI's can cavitate. Ask if the truck you are looking at has been protected with SCA/DCA in the coolant.
-They start well in the winter IF the glowplug system is working properly. If it isn't, then they can be a bit troublesome.
-I'm getting about 16 mph.
-They are mechanically controlled. No computers except for trucks with the E4OD trannys.
More later,
Heath
__________________ 1986 F250HD 4x4 7.3L IDI '95 PSD front clip, '97 bed, T19, D60/10.25 with 3.55's. Rebuilt from the frame up. Banks Turbo, DPS IP & Stage 1's, Isspro TTM, Banks Exhaust, Boost gauge, Pyrometer, Precharged Coolant Filter, Holley Red Pump. 16.5 x 37 x 12.5 Goodyear Wrangler's, Air Horns. 6in lift, Fresh Paint, On-board Air. Revamped Interior. Rhino Liner.
my 93 f-250 with the 7.3 international IDI with turbo pulls pretty darn good. the main thing to get them to run good is open up the air coming in and put big exhaust on it to get the air out.
jimmy
ps i am getting 16-18mpg when i keep my foot out of it.
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1993 f-250 7.3 banks turbo 3inch downpipe into 4 inch strait pipe and 4inch tailpipe comign out at 45 degree angle under bumper on passengerside. fuel cranked up Runs great!
*Current project*
1990 f-350 4x4 when bought had tons of problems and also had no tranny ot transfercase
4 speed tranny, transfercase installed, new injectors, advanced timing like it should be, new voltage regualtor, has meyers plow, new clutch master cylinder, I have wiring problems with it right now on the interior guages
my 93 i have had 3ton of 2a modified stone on it and well i live ontop of the moutian and i still pulled it 45mph (and its steep) I wouldn't take it any faster (it could have) but single back wheels the truck was swaying some. I work at the stone quarry and its only 2miles from home but its all up hill to get home from work. it pulled great. egt's were 1,000-1,100..
jimmy
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1993 f-250 7.3 banks turbo 3inch downpipe into 4 inch strait pipe and 4inch tailpipe comign out at 45 degree angle under bumper on passengerside. fuel cranked up Runs great!
*Current project*
1990 f-350 4x4 when bought had tons of problems and also had no tranny ot transfercase
4 speed tranny, transfercase installed, new injectors, advanced timing like it should be, new voltage regualtor, has meyers plow, new clutch master cylinder, I have wiring problems with it right now on the interior guages
get a 350 or bigger maybe a f superduty truck with a bed youll need it in co the 7.3 is great plenty of power and if you tinker around the 15-19 comes out in mpg along with a light foot on the pedal
i get 13 every so often racing around petal to the metal but if you need to floor it there is a bit of lag but not as much as a turbod psd
cativation no worry got additive for that
i recomend an 88-91 because they look best IMO and they are at the point of power but you can still get for cheap an earlier engine will be lesser a later one will cost more
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, brush guard with front mount hitch, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
As you can see from my tag, I'm running an 88 F250 and LOVE it. Got 267K miles on it and really the only work I've had to do to the engine (aside from general maintenance) is an injection pump @ 150K and oil cooler O-rings @ 250K. This engine is really easy to work on given that it is completely mechanical. My recommendation would be get a manual tranny. I have a C6 auto in mine, which most folks will tell you is more reliable than the E4OD, but I've had to have the tranny completely rebuilt in mine 6 times since I purchased the truck in '94. If/when I have it to do over again, I'll never own a diesel with a auto tranny again. I know lots of folks have had no issues, but my experience with the IDI with an auto tranny has been less than impressive (and I think if you scope this forum, you'll find way more folks asking questions about auto tranny issues than with manual trannys.) Otherwise, I think the IDI is probably one of the best engines Ford ever put out (bested MAYBE by the IDI-T)
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, brush guard with front mount hitch, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
I have to agree that the 87-91 looks the best, but guess I'm kinda biased on that one!
You should get 13-17 mpg just driving normally.
As far as plugging in, I live in Chicago, and never had to plug mine in, so chances are, you'll be okay (if truck is in good shape).
Good luck, these are awesome trucks!
>I'm in the same situation with it starting--make sure your injection pump if tuned correctly, good batteries, and strong starter. (mine started within the first two cranks last winter--not plugged in)
>I get about 14mpg driving ONLY around town. I'm happy with that. (and i love dropping the pedal)
>Yeah, good choice on the trans, the auto is very weak on stock idi's. Unless you get one with a 3 speed C6--bullet proof but worse mpg.
>Almost no electronics. E4OD 4 speed auto trans is computer controlled, thats about it.
>The idi turbo engines were not much different than the non turbo output. its listed somewhere on the home portion of this site.
>I have a 350 and its got a real stiff suspension (and sits very high 33's fit easily with no mods)
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7.3 IDI F-350 4x4 1990
-Custom: '92 interior; Banks Y Pipe, Flowmaster muffler and Dual 4.25" Stacks
-Reman'd: Heavy Duty E4OD and Billet Converter; Transfer Case; Water pump; Power Steering pump; Denso Starter
-New: Brakes; Engine seals and oil pan; Oil pump; RUST-FREE Cab and Bed
-Pro Comp "Holley Red style" electric fuel pump
-3" Body Lift
-Fresh under coating on frame No more face full of rust under the truck!!
-16x10 Eagle Alloy 186 with 33's
-8ft snow plow
4.6l Mustang GT 1997
-Custom side exhaust (no mufflers, Ford Racing Exhaust tips
-Aftermarket stereo (Alpine headunit; JL Component Speakers; JL 300x2 Amp; JL 10" W7 Sub; JL 500x1 Amp)
Look for an idi ats turbo, '93-'94 factory setup. In the mountains and with the trailer the turbo will help a lot. Manuals are hard to find but probably worth the wait. I have 155k on mine, original clutch and trans. Getting a little sticky but still works. Should start in cold weather, maybe two tries, but everything will need to be up to par.
Do a broad Autotrader search with exact specs and see what pops up. The only electronics on the 88-94's are the glow plug and cold start-timing addvance on the injection pump. Auto aren't terible, just more failure prone. Many older trucks will already have been rebuuilt and possibly built right. Good luck.
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94 IDI Turbo 5 SPD Crew Cab, 252K, new paint, 35 12.50 BFG, Big ARSS Stereo
2003 Excursion E.B. V-10
(http://www.alaskancamper.com/)
well here last winter in Western PA there was a week or 2 where my dads 00 stroke froze up and the boss's 04's froze up but my IDI still was running and started every morning WITHOUT pluging it in ever. (my truck has the block heater but i never recieved a cord for it so i never plug mine in ever)
jimmy
ps i know it has started in below 0 weather without any hastle at all.
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1993 f-250 7.3 banks turbo 3inch downpipe into 4 inch strait pipe and 4inch tailpipe comign out at 45 degree angle under bumper on passengerside. fuel cranked up Runs great!
*Current project*
1990 f-350 4x4 when bought had tons of problems and also had no tranny ot transfercase
4 speed tranny, transfercase installed, new injectors, advanced timing like it should be, new voltage regualtor, has meyers plow, new clutch master cylinder, I have wiring problems with it right now on the interior guages
Thanks for all the advice. Hopefully I can find one clean enough to suit me. I'm not looking for super clean, but an awful lot of them have a ton of rust and/or a thrashed interior. Thanks again.
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1994 F-350 CC LB SRW 4x4 5 spd. manual. Homebuilt vegetable oil fuel system coming soon. 250k.
Dads truck - 1997 F-350 CC LB SRW 4x4 5 spd. manual. Stock except for the vegistroke fuel system, over 75k on WVO. 215k on the truck.
I've replaced everything under the sun. I still have brake issues, transmission doesn't shift correctly (stick with a manual trnasmission), I have fair power, but haven't messed with trying to get any better power. 11 MPG, and I don't have a lead foot.
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1991 Ford F350 4X4 Crew Cab 7.3L IDI, E40D. So far I've replaced the Trans., Windshield, Wheels, Tires, Engine Mod. FIPL, Speed Sensor, Injector Pump, Injectors, Return Lines, Windshield Wiper Motor, Master Cylinder, Vacuum Pump, Radiator, Tach. Sensor.
I had a 86 f250 6.9, auto, before my 90. The cab was better in the 86, but the 90 with the 7.3 and 5spd will run circles around the 86. I would like the next body style 92-94 but can't find a reason to get rid of mine yet. These old engines run great when dialed in, but they due need constant care.
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1990 F250 lariat 4+4 9300 lbs service truck, stock, no soup bowl, 5spd
welder, generator, torch set, air compressor, 4 batteries, 225 amp
charger, 1200 watt inverter
By "constant attention" what do you mean? I can deal with some stuff, but if a new problem pops up every 1,000 miles thats going to get old. I like the sound of no electronics to fail, and I know these things blow injection pumps, and of course alternators, water pumps, starters, glow plugs and relays go bad but is there some other stuff I'm missing.
Was just looking on craigslist at some gooseneck horse trailers, makes me want to hurry up and get a truck!
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1994 F-350 CC LB SRW 4x4 5 spd. manual. Homebuilt vegetable oil fuel system coming soon. 250k.
Dads truck - 1997 F-350 CC LB SRW 4x4 5 spd. manual. Stock except for the vegistroke fuel system, over 75k on WVO. 215k on the truck.
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