My father-in-law's '86 F350 finally lost it's 6.9. Not sure what is wrong. I was thinking that he might be able to swap in an 7.3 IDI into the truck without too much trouble. Has anyone on here done this or know anything about it? I know he could get it rebuilt, but there's times he'd like to have more power since his truck is hauling 500 gal of chemicals while sometimes pulling a 16ft landscape trailer with tractor and sprayer. Any insight would be great!
-Funkster-
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2008 F350 4X4 SRW Crewcab, Lariat, 6.4L, Torque Shift, Linex Liner, Trailer Tow Command, Stabilizer Package, Factory 20's w35-12.50-20 ProComp Xtreme Mud Terrains: Dark Pearl Blue w/Pueblo Gold
2005 F250 4X4 Crewcab, XLT, 6.0L, Torque Shift, Backup sensors, Camper Package, Tow Package, Offroad, AFE Stage II Plus, Accu Fab Polished Elbow w/17X9 American Racing Trax chrome rims, 305-65-17 ProComp Xtreme AT's
I'd say if he wants more power then he needs to do something different than to just swap in a 7.3L. Swapping in a 7.3 will hardly do anything for power and may in the end make it more unreliable than a 6.9 due to it's increased cavitation effects. You'd only pick up like.. 10HP maybe with the 7.3, hardly anything noticable.
id say rebuild with a banks or ats turbo on it would be better then a 7.3
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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, 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
From what you've both said, the 7.3 isn't as reliable as the 6.9? I've never owned a 6.9, but my dad did own a 92 7.3IDI and it seemed to be a pretty good motor. It was our first diesel pickup. I was thinking that the 6.9 was 150hp, and the 7.3 was 175 hp. Would the 7.3 be a better candidate to turn up the pump?
-Funkster-
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2008 F350 4X4 SRW Crewcab, Lariat, 6.4L, Torque Shift, Linex Liner, Trailer Tow Command, Stabilizer Package, Factory 20's w35-12.50-20 ProComp Xtreme Mud Terrains: Dark Pearl Blue w/Pueblo Gold
2005 F250 4X4 Crewcab, XLT, 6.0L, Torque Shift, Backup sensors, Camper Package, Tow Package, Offroad, AFE Stage II Plus, Accu Fab Polished Elbow w/17X9 American Racing Trax chrome rims, 305-65-17 ProComp Xtreme AT's
Have a 94 turbo diesel , grandpa has had a 7.3 non turbo and 6.9 . In my experience diesel motors without turbo's ,don't utilize the power and just smoke.
Have had a some farm tractors non turbo and to get power on them are like running a gasser , have to keep the rpm's up ,to have power .
Has 240,000. miles on my truck . My truck would keep up with brother's stroker a year newer pulling trailers up hill's. His was stock and my was turned up a little . Would put in a 7.3 turbo easy to work on .
Haven't changed out a 6.9 myself , but see be a pretty easy conversion , granted a few modifications . Would put in bigger radiator for sure .
From what you've both said, the 7.3 isn't as reliable as the 6.9? I've never owned a 6.9, but my dad did own a 92 7.3IDI and it seemed to be a pretty good motor.
I don't wanna say it's necessarily unreliable. I guess i did say that sorta the last post but both engines have their faults, just the 7.3 when it cavitates it's pretty well scrwed, if you use SCAs you should be fine though. Just have to make sure you don't get a used motor that is about to fail from it...
If it were me I'd probably just try to fix up the 6.9 and turbo it. And if you really want a 7.3. I'd get a used one and re sleeve all the cylinders then turbo that.
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