Saved this 91 7.3 F250 from rotting away. It was parked somewhere between 4 and 8 years ago because "it wouldn't stay running after it would start."
From the door code this is a Custom model with the rear 4.10 gear and close ratio ZF 5-speed transmission. Not new to working on vehicles but this is my first diesel. Any help would be appreciated.
Will attach photos momentarily

 

(combined photos into first post)

 

Broken wire

 

Funky solenoid wiring

 

welcome to FTE.
that "broken wire" is actually a vacuum line that supplies vacuum to the heater controls. as it is now everything will come out of the defroster vents no matter where the controls are set.
the wiring is a mess, it looks like they burned out a couple of fuseable links and replaced them with whatever they had laying around.

did you get it started yet?
remove the fuel filter and fill it with automatic trans fluid. put it back on and put 2 batteries in it. check oil level, fuel level in tank, and radiator level.
if fluids are full or close, try to start it.
you may have to fill the fuel filter a few times. crank engine over no more than about 30 seconds or so, then let it sit for 2 minutes minimum to let the starter cool off. it is very easy to overheat and burn the starter out of these engines.

 

(combined photos into first post)

 

Thank you for that, I am learning already. How far back does that small vacuum line go? What's the best way to replace it? That's not an immediate concern, getting the engine to run is, but I will need to tackle all those small things afterward. thank you

 

Hmmm well lot's of your photos so far are upside down....just sayin' lol

 

Thank you all for the help. The photos are right side up on my phone but I am working from a mobile device, I will attempt to correct later from a computer. (edit - corrected images from computer, sorry for the issue)
I have not attempted to start this engine or done anything to it other than get it to where it sits now and take these photos.
Thanks again for any info you have for me to try to get it going.

 

Will you please elaborate about removing the fuel filter and filling with atf? Have not heard that before. Thank yoy

 

Unscrew the fuel filter, note if it is full to the top with fuel. The fill it up with atf and screw it back on. Try to start it. The atf will clean the injectors and pump. The engine will run on the atf. It wouldnt hurt to plug in the block heater for a couple hours before trying to start it.

 

Thanks for the heads up on that ATF deal, I never would have thought to do that. I corrected the images so they are not upside-down, sorry about that.

 

read the stickys at the top of the forum,, they cover FAQ's do not use starting fluid unless you are certain the glows are disconnected as it will ignite in the intake use the block heater make certain it has coolant in it be fore plugging it in..

 

Speed wrench thanks for the input. I was told by previous owner that they did use starting fluid on the engine. Any idea on what damage that could have caused?

 

if ether makes contact with a hot glow plug it will ignite. and if the valves are still open or if the piston is not in the proper top dead center position all different types of internal damage can happen.