I was thinking about buying a 86 F250 diesel.
it has 165000 miles on it.I don't know much
about diesels and wondering if anyone can
give me a few pointers.
Thanks

 

You can look for excessive smoke when taking off, a light black smoke is normal. Also I would check the compression on this motor, you do this through the glow plug sockets, you need to make an addapter to fit the regular compression guage, should be around no less than 250 pounds per cyl, but ideal around 300 pounds.

when checking compression use a remote starter switch and disconect the two wires that plug into the injector pump, this will prevent it from starting.

also check the radiator, they are commen to be bad at that mileage, and cost over $350.00 for a new one.

both the 6.9 and 7.3 are very good motors, I have the last year 6.9 in my truck and stuck a turbo kit on it, and it works great.

dave

 

>I was thinking about buying a 86
>F250 diesel. it has 165000 miles
>on it.I don't know much about
>diesels and wondering if anyone can
> give me a few pointers.
> Thanks

 

I bought an 86 F-350 in March of this year. Just under 100 k miles, and I have got to tell you...
Make sure you have some kind of service record for the vehicle so you have an idea of what has been done, and what might still NEED to be done.

 

 

if its a stick shift, check the flywheel.. A new one is about $1300.00...
if the orings on the injectors are leaking, thats ok.. thats only about $ 30.00
as long as a diesel has been maintained they are great.. if not it may dig
at your pocket...


89 ford f250 4x4 7.3 diesel....