I think the 6.9 and 7.3 are built better than the newer turbo models.

 

they are more reliable.
Only one wire to make it run and very simple design that was designed for the abuse of the medium duty trucks. Very stout engines.

 

Well for one thing they dont have all this computer crap they have today. And all the emmission controls. Diesel trucks were kind off the last engine to get pollution controls. Diesel puckup trucks were not as widesread years ago as they are now. Now with all the emmisssion controls thats all changed.As well as computers. If the 6.0 was devoid of all this stuff. I think it would be just as good as those older motors. The 6.9s in particular were very durable. I know off one that had 350,000 miles on the motor the truck was shot so the motor was removed and put in to a newer truck and is still goin.

 

yep,simple no frills design.just look at the old farm tractors and such,leather main bearings,pushtubes exposed to the dirt and weather,no air cleaners!,i think the old stuff is more interesting to figure out and just to watch it run.the things those old timers thought about and made work is just unreal,and it still runs just as good 20 to 50 years later,aint it great!!!

 

the odometer turned over 4 times in my truck but then the head gasket went out so i rebuilt it. It was a pain putting the rings on the pistons without a ring compressor, I went through a few. The other thing is it is getting harder to find them because people drive them till they stop running.

 

Looks like you gotyour moneys worth there.

 

The only thing with the IDIs is we are really dependant on the glow plugs for starting if they don't work our old engines WILL NOT start which is the shiats its one of my biggest fears. The other thing we have to keep tabs on is cavitation if the cooling system was never maintained its bad news for a 7.3 IDI.

The IDIs are reliable because all it needs is fuel and good compression and the engine will run. Like the others said no electronic crap to go wrong we don't need to rely on a computer for the engine to run. The one draw back is we are tapped out for power with a turbo added with a non turbo like my 450 its slow as a turtle. I average 10-11mpg my old truck doesn't really get anymore better mileage but its better than a 6mpg 460 gas.

Would I buy another IDI sure I would I wouldn't mind have a PSD for more power my old truck is topped out a 100km/h (62mph) and the old truck is struggling its comfortable speed is 44mph. The old truck really lacks power I'am sure glad I don't haul heavy loads on a regular basis the truck is to underpowered.

When the truck is loaded I'am in the slow lane with the semis and you can count the rotation of my wheels

 

Simplicity!

 

i believe alot has to do with components and RPM's think alot of gas engines redline in the 5-6,000 range give or take. My 92, 3500 so thats rouly 3/4 the same revolutions as agas engine. plus our connecting rods, pistons, etc are made of a lot better metals and forgings, so the wear less. As as said about Simplicity.

 

what are some of the factory options that you all have on your trucks

 

doors...LOL Mine is an F-350 custom, so the ony options i have are a seat cover, a cd player, and a steering wheel cover. other than that, i dont have anything. but i still love to drive my truck

 

My friend has a 95 powerstroke with 285,000 trailer towing miles on it and she still runs good. He can start his without the glowplugs if its above freezing. Mine wont start at 70 without GPs. I can repair about anything that goes wrong on mine without taking it to the ford dealer.
I have a XLT Lariat, supposed to be the best package back then. NOt real fancy. Radio, broken cruise control, broken AC, carpet, sunkin seat, no power locks or winders.
Everything in these old motors is mechanical so just keep in some good oil and maintenance and they run til the truck falls apart.

 

love my diesel, i wouldn't trade it for anything, it's almost complete.

 

i got 2 xlt lariats 1989 models and it has power windows and locks, tape player, ac, cruize, bucket seats, center console.

 

I have an 89 F-350 supercab\stakebed with a 7.3. It has power windows,door locks, captains chairs,cruise, non-working a\c,and a sweet center console.