i am looking at buying an 86 F250 4x4 with the 6.9 diesel. i know very little about the 6.9. i am 23 and have owned nothing but cummins diesels. any info i can get on these trucks would be much appreciated.

 

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Welcome to FTE. Take a look at the bottom of page 3, at the thread call "Well it's not gray, what do you think". Dave is a guru, as well as many others here. I'm still learning, so I can't help that much. I have an IDI and 3 PSDs. The IDI is a lot less problem and easier to fix. I'm sure one of the others will be along soon. Good luck with the truck.

 

I've own an 86 F250 too and about the only trouble I have with it is keeping the glow plug system working. Thats its weak point. The controller for the plugs and the plugs are relatively easy to change but are somewhat expensive. Glow plugs are about $8 a piece and the controller is around $130. I have replaced all the glow plugs twice an the contoller once in 25000 miles. Not too sure why these components have such a short lifespan. Other than that its a pretty good engine.

 

first6.9,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.

The 86 6.9 was a very dependable engine.
The glow plug controller is a very complex system to troubleshoot, I converted mine to manual control which I like better, but I do not let other people drive my truck. Some people have a hard time grasping the way to use manual control glow plugs at first even though it is easy.
The next weakest point of the 6.9 is the head bolts which can not stand a lot of boost if you install a turbo.

Ask away for any specific questions you may have, someone here has heard them all and knows a fix for it.

In stock form you may not like a 6.9 compared to a turbo charged Cummins power wise, but that is rather easy to fix though it does cost a chunk of change to do. Turbo is the answer.

 

what is involved in adding a turbo to this truck? and are there stronger head bolts avalible for it? i have to replace the head gasket on the passenger side as well as the oil pan gasket. while i'm in there are there any particulars i should look for. this engine bay doesn't look as simple as my old cummins. and i am a bit concerned about the transmission. would a c6 tranny mount up to that motor. sorry if it seems like im asking a lot of questions but this is also my daily driver so im trying to get spun up as best as possible to avoid as little down time as i can. thank you for all the imput so far. i think im going to enjoy being a part of this group.

 

Answers in order as well as I could.

About 2500 dollars for a new turbo system and bolt it on.
Head studs are much stronger.
Pull the engine, it will be much easier and you will get a better job.
You can use any Ford transmission that was bolted to a diesel originally, gasser transmissions will not bolt up to a diesel. ( the T 19 has a seperate bell housing, so this is the only exception to the above rule, all other transmissions use an integral bell housing/transmission housing )

 

if you drive cummins then expect much weaker from these 6.9s. they are just as hardy and a good motor but have no where near the power or getty up that the cummins do. just do not be disappointed when you stomp on the pedal in that Ford and it just doesnt go like the cummins. They are completely two different trucks. I love my Ford 6.9, but nothing runs like a cummins.

 

Maybe they can out run most of us,however when you have a plow pushing 3ft of snow the cummins wont out run me,it may well be the other way round.

 

Comparing a turbocharged Cummins to a NA 6.9 is like comparing apples and oranges.
Turbo the 6.9 and then you have apples to apples.

Another way to do it would be take the turbo off the Cummins, wonder how well it would move then?