[mustangrr]

I have a '84 F250. My dad owned it so consequently I've performed the maintenance "leg work" which has been done religiously since new.

It has 120k on it which I will estimate 80% of that was at or near max capacity, long story short it's been well used and well maintained.

Another note it won't run below 200* F on a mechanical gauge, this all after a new t-stat and radiator.

I'm tired of driving in the slow lane driving on the highway towing my Mustang on a open car trailer = a struggle to run 70 mph on flat ground.....

Would it be a mistake to add a turbo to my existing engine or should i look into a reman long block first?

If I were to check the compression, what would good numbers be?
Thanks
Jason

 

[Garbage_Mechanic]

On the temp part of your question: I have a VDO mechanical guage plumbed into the original sending unit spot. It usually sets on 200* no matter what. It is a 195* thermo stat. That is 195 is the point at which it begins to open....

 

[turbo5269]

I have a 86 F250 6.9 L with an ATS turbo. It definetely has power to pull a house but the rear end gears are 4.10s so getting to 65 mph will put the truck at 3000 rpms or so which is pretty much its limit for highway driving. It will pull a full load up a steep grade but flat land is about 65 mph limit. Might want to evaluate your gear ratio as well if you shell out the $ on a turbo. They came with 3.55 gears that will drop about 500 rps or so off allowing for a little better highway driving.

 

[Bill1013]

You must have a C6 tranny with 4.10 rear end. As turbo says 3.55 would be better for speed. Don't know where you are for hills -- mountains. The compression is between 260 -- 440. Maybe you aught to let the Mustang pull the truck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

OLDBULL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif

 

[mustangrr]

My temps are 200-210 on a long hill. I'm in central NC, but my travels take me to GA, SC, WV, and VA. So not too bad most of the time. My dad said when new this gauge would show 180, that was ~20 years ago. But if 200* is common, then I'll roll with it

I have a 4speed and a 3 speed Brownlipe behind that with 4.10 axle. That will let me cruise at 70-75 on flat land assuming there are no soccer moms to change lanes in front of me for no appearent reason.
Part of my project includes a ZF five speed swap.


My brother has a 91 that he got from my grandfater that has 3.55 axle. We've discussed swapping rear ends since he has 4wd and wants to lift and go to taller tires.

 

[agnem]

Ideal situation would be to throw a ZF, a Gear Vendors and a Turbo on that truck. Double Overdrive and plenty of power for pulling those hills. Like our Lady Moose. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[mustangrr]

Thanks for the imput. I will probably do it in that order except I'll keep my 3 speed brownie instead of a gear vendors.

 

[mustangrr]

I did a cold start blow by check. No oil fumes or pressure to be felt by hand. The cooling fan made it hard to tell from a "pressure" stand point but visually there is no "blow by" in the stand pipe for the oil cap. I'll probably do a compression check just to know.

Thanks for everyone's input.