New truck for me w/questions - Diesel Forum

adamrmathis · 10-10-2005, 01:54 AM

Hi all,

I bought a '92 F-350 with a 7.3L IDI engine with 214k miles. The engine was rebuilt 15k miles ago, and the tranny (E40D) was rebuilt at 162k. It has 4.10 axles and the non-limited slip differential.

So my first question is...

It has an ATS turbo, but I cannot determine if a turbo was an option in '92 or if this was an aftermarket installation.

Second question...

Is the non-limited slip differential a good thing and what does that mean?

Third question...

When I start it when it is cold, there seems to be a lot of white smoke. It doesn't smoke for long after it is started. I bought the truck up in Washington, and had to tow a car hauler and my Jetta home with it. I noticed that up the hills at high rpm, there was a little grey smoke, but that was it.

Thanks for all of the help,
Adam_

pafixitman · 10-10-2005, 07:58 AM

Q1 - '92 never had a turbo option. '94 or ('93 1/2 to some) had the turbo option.

Q2 - Non LSD means that only one tire will spin. Good or bad is your opinion. Personally I would rather have LSD (I do not).

Q3 - With out actually seeing it, I would say it all sounds normal. You may have a glow plug that is not working a have a bit more smoke on start than you should. Since you have a turbo, I hope you have an exhaust temp gauge (pyrometer)!

waterdude · 10-10-2005, 10:30 AM

Count the number of seconds that the "Wait to Start" light stays ON when you first start the truck in the cold morning. 7-10 seconds or more is normal, shorter times could indicate a bad glow plug or two.

Seeing that you have a turbo, the bad plug may be the one that is hardest to reach. Whatever the case, get the Motorcraft brand of glow plugs (Beru of Germany) sold at www.autozone.com for $10 each. These are what our trucks were designed to use and they are the best. Lots of GP info in the archieves.

Welcome to TDS,

Hugh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

adamrmathis · 10-10-2005, 06:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Since you have a turbo, I hope you have an exhaust temp gauge (pyrometer)!

[/ QUOTE ]

It has both a boost gage and a EGT gage, but I don't think the EGT gage is installed. It is on my priority list.

Thanks for the response,
- Adam

adamrmathis · 10-10-2005, 06:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Count the number of seconds that the "Wait to Start" light stays ON when you first start the truck in the cold morning. 7-10 seconds or more is normal, shorter times could indicate a bad glow plug or two.

Seeing that you have a turbo, the bad plug may be the one that is hardest to reach. Whatever the case, get the Motorcraft brand of glow plugs (Beru of Germany) sold at www.autozone.com for $10 each. These are what our trucks were designed to use and they are the best. Lots of GP info in the archieves.

Welcome to TDS,

Hugh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

THE WTS light is at about 6 seconds or so. I may just replace all 8 to be sure that they are all solid. I've done a lot of searching in this forum, and quite honestly I'm thankful it is here.

Thanks again,
Adam

cdnsarguy · 10-10-2005, 10:51 PM

Adam make sure you read Ziggsters web page before removing GPs.

waterdude · 10-11-2005, 12:36 AM

Yes, Ziggster's page is a must read before attempting the GP job.

Maybe you should pull one of the easy to reach GP's and find out what brand of glow plugs are in there. 6 seconds is not too bad.

If you see Champion or Autolite on the GP's than I would replace all 8 with Beru.

--Hugh