Hi,

I recently purchased (today actually) a 1991 Ford F350 Crew Cab Diesel. 7.3 L 8 cylinder 4wd with 8 foot bed.

Its got 150,00 miles on it, and its previous owner was a lawn care service/business. 4wd high and low go in like a charm and it changes into gears relatively smoothly (It is an automatic).

This is actually my first vehicle that ive ever owned. Im more than willing to get hands on, and I would really love to give this beast the tender love and care it deserves, the only problem is, i have very little mechanical experience, and i have absolutely no idea what to look out for.

I need to know the things that need to be checked, and what i should be looking out for when it comes to these old trucks, so please, please, please, help.

If you guys could provide a little support i guarantee you I will take everything into consideration and will read anything and everything you guys have to say about these old beasts and do the best i can to give this old truck the respect it deserves.

Thanks.

 

congrats! that's a heck of a first vehicle you got yourself there.
start by heading over to the devoted idi diesel section and having a look around:
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
however the engine as rule, is one the least concerns with the trucks.it's all about keeping the rest of the truck good around the idi lol.
check out all the links in my sig too.
good luck.

 

What he said... any engine questions ask in the idi section. As a rule its better for general questions here, but theres a lot of brake etc questions in the idi forum. a good wsay to tell how the engine maintenance items is to see how it starts cold. As soon as the wait to start light goes out crank it. It should start pretty fast and not smoke a lot. after its warmed up while youre driving position the mirror so you can see the exhaust... a little haze is normal. A big thing to do is keep up on sca's in the coolant. Search for the cavitation article at oilburners.net for details on that. Basicly if you dont run the coolant additive your block slowly eats away until coolant gets in the cylinders.

 

It wasnt too cold today when i started it up (Around 32 degress F) but it starts great and no smoke, even when i rev it fairly high, so im going to take this as a good sign.

The only thing about your comment that im unawares of is the following sentence" A big thing to do is keep up on sca's in the coolant." what do you mean by SCA's? I tried looking up what the acronym was but no luck, any explainations would be very helpful.

 

Sounds like your glow plugs are working ok. There's a better article I couldnt find but here's some reading about cavitation: Cavitation. Block Worm. The Expensive Death. A MUST READ! - Oilburners.net like I said, you just need to keep up on the additives in the coolant and its not an issue. I think sca stands for supplemental coolant additives

 

the one i think your looking for is in my sig below called "Maintaining Coolant For The IDI"
see it below the pic of my truck?
click on that and it should take you here:
Cavitation Article

does that work by the way if your not registered there? let me know if you can read it please.