Are the late 80's diesel's any good?

[Will]

id rather have a non-turbo diesel than a turbo equipped one though...the non-turbo oliver has a broder rpm range (remember, with a turbo the rpms need to be kept within a certian range or it falls on its face) and has been much better on fuel useage.

I don't know anything about Oliver tractors, but having a truck with a turbo is much better than having a truck without a turbo. More power, more torque, better mileage, quieter and the engine runs much cooler EGTs under normal use and lasts longer. A modern turbo lasts as long as the engine pretty much. I have installed 2 Banks turbo kits because though a nastilly-asspirated diesel feels okay just driving around, it's not good with a trailer. And the EGTs go through the roof. I wouldn't turn up the pump and work it very hard. If you see black smoke, it's really hot. My 6.2 without a turbo would run 800F just going 60mph down the road empty. With the turbo, same speed and therefore making the same speed and making the same power, it's running 400F and very quietly. When my motor is at 800F you are pulling a decent load up a grade and making a hell of a lot more power than the non-turbo truck is capable of--and still have lots of reserve power. That's a major advantage

The DB2 pump in the 6.9/7.3 is capable of putting out enough fuel for 250hp and 450ft#--engine displacement doesn't matter with the turbo.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I wasn't aware that black smoke meant it was running hot,I thought it meant it was runnin way rich when you stomp the gas...?

 

[Will]

It is running rich--overfueling. On a diesel that means heat. It doesn't follow the rich/lean rules of a gasser because it's not mixing fuel/air. It heats the air seperately and then sprays fuel into it--not much different than feeding a wood stove, except all the fuel is consumed with each combustion event. More fuel=more heat. By the time it's making black smoke, it's really hot. Put on a turbo to turn that wasted fuel into power and the EGT goes down and the smoke is gone. Or, at lower power settings, more air is moving through and taking the heat with it. Natural aspirated diesels are hot, loud and weak.

These diesels are good for about 3000rpm. That's only moving 385cfms max of air through a 444cid engine--without correcting for efficiency of course. That's at one atmosphere--14.7psi of natural boost. If you add a turbo at 15psi, that's like doubling the amount of air available for burning fuel in. A 170hp diesel should theoretically be able to make twice the torque and power. The reality is that the DB2 can't provide enough fuel for it. But it can provide more than a naturally aspirated motor has air to burn.

 

[BigJohn76]

but id still rather pull with my 6.9 than my 7.3 powerstroke. maybe its the tranny but it seems to pull better. plus the stacks make it look cool. and the temp doesnt seem to be too bad when pulling.

 

[Diesel_brad]

the 88-94 N/A 7.3s only downfall are cyl wall cavation if the coolant was not maintained. O and gutless without a turbo, but a turbo fixes that

 

[ZMan]

I remember my buddy in high school had an '88 F-250 with a 6.9. Had a 5-spd behind it. He took it to the dragstrip once and it ran 22 seconds, it was a funny sight.

 

[351Mazda]

Alright that guy kept dragging his feet and thinking about it, so I got tired of waiting for him. I ended up buying a 79 F-350 4x4 for $800. Dana 60's, 400M, Granny gear tranny. Guy didn't know what he had. Axles are worth 800 at least. It runs good though, I have no complaints.

 

[racsan]

sounds sweet! the 400 is a thirsty engine though. we had a '77 F250 with the 400, C6 and 4.10's. full-time 4wd. got 8 mpg no matter what, but you talk about a snow-plowing beast! the 400 is the same bore and stroke as the 300 I-6. 4.00 x 4.00 , not a high-rever, but a real workhorse. with that engine and a creeper amnual, your only problem will be losing traction!

 

[Ozwynn]

sounds sweet! the 400 is a thirsty engine though. we had a '77 F250 with the 400, C6 and 4.10's. full-time 4wd. got 8 mpg no matter what, but you talk about a snow-plowing beast! the 400 is the same bore and stroke as the 300 I-6. 4.00 x 4.00 , not a high-rever, but a real workhorse. with that engine and a creeper amnual, your only problem will be losing traction!

you can also get an aggressive cam and heads that will allow it spin at 6500 all day long.

 

[breidhaupt]

the 6.9l and 7.3l idi (indirect injection) aint power houses but the 6.9l puts out around 165hp and 300 ft-lbs and the 7.3l idi is the same hp with 350 ft-lbs. the idi is cold natured so keep good glow plugs in it. starting with ether will lower the compression and it wont start in even 80 degree weather without the stuff.

 

[homegrownranger]

hey man if you ever need any parts for that diesel let me know pm me. I have a yard full of them. 3 crew cabs 3 double cabs 2 single cabs all f350s 4x4 and all diesels. I have almost anything you will ever need for the 80-early 90s trucks. I have 3 ats turbos and 1 banks left. I even have a few Douglas Nash overdrives. If anyone needs anything let me know. So far out of the 3 years of collecting no one has not found anything in our yard. Going to get 2 6.9s a 7.3 tomorrow, well after I fix my stupid ranger tranny again

 

[homegrownranger]

About the cams, we know a guy that takes your stock cam and regrinds it to perform twice as good. Dont use ether if you dont have to on them, we have one that was started with ether its whole life cause of bad glow plugs and we pulled it apart and everything was all bent up. Not a good idea, buy new glow plugs, but be sure to get the ford ones. All the other ones tend to break off in the chambers and eff stuff up. If anyone ever needs help let me know.

 

[tgallmey]

Its just simply reliable and easy they run strong and forever. 1 friend has around 500k on his 7.3 another has 450k on a 6.9 mine only has 210k they arent a speed demon even if you turbo it you wont go fast but youll get better mileage and bottom end power but watch your boost cause these IDIs have a much higher compression ratio than powerstrokes do. try and find some 3.55 gears for it and you will get some crazy mileage for such a big truck even though itl be a turd lol