83 F250 with a 7.3 idi

[ryanj_610]

I am looking into getting an older truck to restore and return these old diesels back to the road and I came across a 1983 F250 with a 7.3 in it. I know the 7.3's didn't come out until 88 so I was wondering if I am going to be getting in over my head with a huge project truck mess. Is this a good investment and a one of a kind truck or is it gonna be a mess.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I think you will need to visually inspect the truck to determine what fabrication was done, how any wiring looks, etc. If it looks good, if they kept notes and documentation then it’s probably safe. If not, then it’s more than likely going to be a headache.

 

[Shran]

I believe they only offered the 6.9 diesel in that year so it's certainly been swapped in. Supposedly it's almost a bolt in swap but the 6.9 was a better engine in some ways. I concur with what Rowdy said, if it looks like it's in good condition and not all hacked up, go for it.

Recently I saw for sale what WAS a 2v V10 super duty....... somebody had swapped in a IDI 7.3. Was a total mess, and a total waste of time.