My last long trip from VMP last weekend realy did a number on me. ~4 hours of constant buzz at 75 mph with GCs on N.C.s *wonderful* interstates left me beaten, bruised and partially deaf for a few hours. Seriously, took 2 days for the ringing to subside. Enough of this chit.

So I find a truck in the area. '94 F250, 6.9L non-powerstroke diesel, 4 speed manual, 160,000 miles, regular cab, long bed, $6K. Only towing it did was a boat once or twice a year to the beach. So far, Walt has given the overall package a since he has a Ford diesel and knows them well. Gave me a few things to check out/ask about.

Anyone use something similar? Experience? Thoughts?

I plan to test drive it this weekend,and I'll grab a couple of pics.

Edit: Apparently it gets 18-20 mpg on the highway. Even when towing.

 

Thomas is about to put his '99 F350 Crew Cab Dually PSD up for sale...you should contact him. More money, but MUCH more truck.

Be the envy of all your friends, as you tow your house to the races.

 

Mmmmm... diesel...

 

a '94 with a 6.9? I could have sworn they started putting in 7.3 in '88. Maybe you meant a '84?
Anyway, I used to have a '87 6.9L 4-speed. Good truck. Maintenance items to be aware of with older diesels:
- coolant additives. Without them, the engine is susceptible to cavitation, which could lead to holes in the cylinder walls. Although the 7.3 were more likely to experience it than the 6.9. Ask the previous owner if he/she used them. And these old International engines do not like Extended Life Coolant, either.
- make sure the glow plugs are the ford motorcraft or Lucas brand. Other cheap ones have been known to break off when they burn up. The early trucks also were prone to problems with the glow plug controller. Many people made a manual switch for it.
- fuel return lines. prone to cracking, which leads to air in the lines and a hard starting truck. A $20 fix that can make a big difference.
- water separator. The Ford units were rather crappy. Easily replace with a Racor unit. Don't forget to drain it regularly.
- plumb in your own oil pressure gauge. The Ford one is crap. these things run pretty low pressure. (~15-17psi at warm idle, ~45 running)
- change the (10 quarts!) oil often, and use Shell's Rotella.

check out http://www.thedieselstop.com

hth.

 

Well, I didn't realize there was a size difference when I talked to the guy. Perhaps it is a 7.3L but I thought that may have been for the 350. Walt told me they're the same basic engine, just stroked.

I'm all over dieselstop.com

 

yeah, they're both an international engine block, but the 7.3 is actually bored out, rather than stroked(maybe it is stroked, too?). Which is why it is more prone to cavitation. The cylinder walls are thinner.
So it is a '94, huh?

 

You have some excellent advice from the earlier post. It is the similar research I did before I bought my tow rig, which is a 95 F250 with the 7.3 Powerstroke. Your 94 should be the same 7.3 Navistar, just not the powerstroke version. I bought mine when it had 180,000 mile on it for $6500, and now I am at 220,000 a couple years later. The only thing I would like more is a crew cab, but not a big deal.

I do drive it daily and got over 20 mpg on the last tanks. Towing mpg is more like 14-16, but it really depends on how fast you want to tow. If you keep the revs below 2000 rpm (no boost), the mpg is much better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So it is a '94, huh?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, it is a 94. The last of the non-powerstroke diesels. If I am to believe this guy, the mileage is a bit better than it is with the powerstrokes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Enough of this chit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I see someone has been pushed past his breaking point

My concern with the 4 speed is big-time gaps between ratios. And since diesels don't really rev, well, at all...that might be problematic. That's mere speculation. With the Suburban, much like with the Integra, I just "turn in early and floor it" and everything's okay ;-&gt;

I still think you'll find more vehicle for less money in a full size van...but this does look tempting.

Where the heck is Corey? He's got a 4 speed older diesel-powered Ford truck.

 

Corey has the same truck I used to have, only a little older. There is a bit of a gap between 2nd and 3rd, IIRC, but it's no big deal. Diesel torque baby!
The rear end may be a bigger factor in towing. They pretty much came with 3 rear ends:
3:0x - good for highway, towing may require a downshift uphill
3:55 - good all around (best choice IMO)
4:10 - unstoppable towing, but red lining around 65mph...

then again, this is all from having had a non-turbo diesel. Performance prolly varies a good deal once you get boosted.

 

Better mileage than the turbo? I would not have expected that. I would think the extra torque available with the turbo would mean the engine would be working less when first starting from a stop and also when cruising.

Someone else made a comment about the F350. Yes, a LOT more truck but from a few folks I've talked with absolutely terrible mileage. Lots more weight to drag around and for our types of cars not really needed. Good luck Matt. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Do any of you guys with mongo trucks use bypass oil filter systems like the Amsoil kit?

--ADam

 

Actually, I *think* (not positive) the non turbos have MORE low end torque. 1.3 L more displacement (7.3L vs. 6.0L). No turbo lag, no waiting.

All I want is to comfortably cruise at 70 mph while towing. I'm thinking the smaller engined gas Ford have a tough time with that. They can do it, just expect a downshift and to lose 10-15 mph going up a good hill. I could get a big block, for big money and big gas bills (ask Karl why he got the $1000 BMW...). But that kind of coin is a LOT to put out for a vehicle for one specific once a month purpose. Trucks are versatile. Everyone needs a truck. I live in Shelby NC, everyone already HAS a truck. The towing capacity, mileage and reliability make this a winner on paper.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mityVR6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do any of you guys with mongo trucks use bypass oil filter systems like the Amsoil kit?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I dunno. What is it? not kidding, I actually don't know what that is.

 

Amsoil has a system that is kind of like a remote oil filter relocation kit, except that it uses a VERY LARGE filter that filters out....well, everything. The literature indicated you can extend oil drains to several 10,000 miles using (of course) their not cheap oil.

 

No bypass system for me. I did add a Racor primary fuel filter system.


Modified by civicrr at 10:56 AM 5/29/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I still think you'll find more vehicle for less money in a full size van...but this does look tempting.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I may be taking your advice. I've got my eye on a '97 Ford E350 Chateau with a V10 and tow package and a 24' Pace. I really enjoyed towing with my dually and gooseneck before, but it's just not in the budget this time.

 

Actually, it uses a large regular oil filter with a second, smaller filter that filters smaller particles. Basically, the system bleeds off a bit of the oil and send it through the fine filter. It's said to increase the usable life of the oil while also keep the engine cleaner.

I know I sound like an Amsoil salesman but trust me, I'm not. Just wondering if anyone here uses the kits or if you've considered them.

-Adam

 

Actually I dabbled very briefly with Amzoil just after college. They are FAR more interested in you recruiting new salemen than actually selling product. Sounded way too much like Amway (same first letters......hmmm). Seriously, 90% of their dealer literature is recruiting, recruiting, recruiting....oh, and we have this oil over here...it's pretty good, but at least it's really expensive.

I just could bring myself to trust a company like that. It may work very, very well, but Mobil 1 and Purolator Pure One have never let me down ever.

edit: were way off topic now, sorta.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mityVR6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Actually, it uses a large regular oil filter with a second, smaller filter that filters smaller particles. Basically, the system bleeds off a bit of the oil and send it through the fine filter. It's said to increase the usable life of the oil while also keep the engine cleaner.

I know I sound like an Amsoil salesman but trust me, I'm not. Just wondering if anyone here uses the kits or if you've considered them.

-Adam</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry. My post above didn't state that my Racor system is a fuel filter. I am aware of the bypass systems. Very popular with the 'over the road' truck drivers. Most users report upwards of 50k on the same oil. I am not sure that they are worth the trouble. You still need to send in a sample of your oil to a lab @ intervals to determine when to change it. For my year Powerstroke, you could possibly need to add some antifoaming agent.

Back on topic.
The pre-turbo Powerstrokes have almost no getup & go. I personally would drive a turbo & non-turbo version before you make a decision. While both have tons of torque, having to reaccelerate while still rolling takes some effort.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> ~4 hours of constant buzz at 75 mph with GCs on N.C.s *wonderful* interstates left me beaten, bruised and partially deaf for a few hours. Seriously, took 2 days for the ringing to subside. Enough of this chit. </TD></TR></TABLE>


[Slo-mo]Nnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooo!!!! Ddddooonnnnn't dooooo iiiiit![/Slo-mo]

6k, extra maintenance, extra hassle, extra insurance vs. a $400 quiet cat-back. Hmmm....


Andy - who is too broke to replace a CV axle let alone consider buying a 35:1 CR beater.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Andy - who is too broke to replace a CV axle let alone consider buying a 35:1 CR beater.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

that CR is a little high. most of the newer Diesels of today (turbo charged ones) are 16:1 to 17.5:1. I haven't heard of any NA Diesels that were higher than 22-24:1. of course, i am no expert on Diesels.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If I am to believe this guy, the mileage is a bit better than it is with the powerstrokes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Powerstroke manuals can get 20+ around town w/o trailer. Seen it first hand.

Don't expect better than 13-15mpg towing with a non turbo depending on trailer size and weight.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Track rat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't expect better than 13-15mpg towing with a non turbo depending on trailer size and weight.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

that CR is a little high. most of the newer Diesels of today (turbo charged ones) are 16:1 to 17.5:1. I haven't heard of any NA Diesels that were higher than 22-24:1. of course, i am no expert on Diesels.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

hyperbole

\Hy*per"bo*le\, n. A figure of speech in which the expression is an evident exaggeration of the meaning intended to be conveyed, or by which things are represented as much greater or less, better or worse, than they really are; a statement exaggerated fancifully, through excitement, or for effect.


It's not the first time I've been accused of being too subtle... *sigh*