I just picked up an 87 f250 with the 6.9 diesel. It's been sitting for about 2 years.

When I go to prime the fuel system, do I use the key to turn it over or what's a good procedure for when I crack the injector lines to purge them?

Thanks, Kyle

 

Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums Here is a link to the page for your engine, some good info there on the glowplug system and guys who know the IDI diesel backwards.
However, if you look on the fuel filter housing you should see a shraeder valve, if you depress the valve core while cranking over on the starter you can bleed all the air from the filter first. Then you can crack open a couple of injector pipes and crank over on the starter untill you see fuel at the pipes.
Better to not crank on the starter for more than about 20secs at a time and allow a couple of minuites for it to cool each time. Also make sure the glowplugs are all working.

 

+1 on the don't crank over 20sec, you can melt the battery terminal believe me lol

 

So I put a new battery in this thing pulled the intake to make sure nothing was going to get sucked in and cleaned up a few things. Cranked it over a few seconds, and on the 4th or 5th try it started up!

This thing had been sitting for 2 years I am surprised! But it also only has 88k miles on it.

Now for what I found out. The speedo is not working, needs a gear. The tach is off I think. The fuel gauge is definitely not working, unless of course half an inch over full in fact means I have a full tank

Once I get it in my drive-way I'll thoroughly go threw it and start bringing this thing back to it's former glory!

~Kyle