I'm looking for a new project. I've found a 83 F350 6.9 diesel, auto, dually. Guy says the motor will start if you spray the air filter with starting fluid, but dies once all that is burned up. Says the fuel pump (injector pump) is bad. I have no experience with diesels and wonder if there is anything else to consider as being suspected bad. Also, in general how good/reliable is the 6.9 diesel?

 

Reliable? Yes very.

Good depends on what you intend to do with it. If you are looking to tow your 5th wheel travel trailer over Rockies at 70, then not so good. If you are looking for a reliable, cheap to maintain and fix truck that will get you there, then it is a very good truck.

It sounds to me like a bad injection pump, which is probably a $400 repair if you are able to do the work, probably double that if you have to pay to have it done.

These trucks can be hard on stock automatic transmissions. I would want to know what kind of shape the transmission is in, or figure a transmission replacement into the price if you can't be certain it is in good shape.

Given that it is a dually, tires would be a concern.

 

i would check the fuel pump first not the injector pump fuel pump is 30 bucks when these engines are running there hard to beat what state are you in

 

I second that.

 

I like my Fords. Last one I had was 84 Bronco, but when I moved out of Alaska I keep vehicles based on which ones had AC because I was being transfered to Oklahoma. That meant I kept the wife's chevy 1/2 ton. Just bought a 07 Dodge Mega Cab with the 5.9 and love that motor. I'm wanting to find a nice old ford bronco or pickup and maybe do a 5.9 conversion. But, this 83 F350 looks to be in good shape. Don't know much about working on diesels yet, but there wasn't anything on my Bronco that I didn't rebuild or replace. Thought this one could be a good truck to learn about diesels on. Then one day do the conversion because it is heavy enough to handle it. I like the thought of a nice old truck with a diesel tank on the back. Fill up the external tank about once a month and have a truck that could haul the feed or materials I need day to day. The dodge can pull the camper and family on the weekends. What auto trans did the 6.9 have behind it? If it is a c6 they are easy to rebuild.

 

it would have the c6

 

The IDI motors are pretty simple diesel engines, especially the N/A 6.9 in the 83 you are looking at. I have enjoyed learning how diesels work from mine.

 

if ur interested i have a 87 f-350 4x4 for sale, 6.9l w banks turbo system, truck needs tranny rebuilt though, but it runs and starts great

 

Hey, I am in Tulsa, OK. I wonder if the E4OD out of a lightening would work in his truck? If so, I happen to have one that needs a new home.....LOL Look me up.

 

Just a thought, if your in an area where it gets cold id be wary about using the block heater on it. The old blocks have been known to crack because of the BH. 83 was an ok year for the 6.9, but i believe 87 was supposed to be the best.

 

im pretty sure c6 autos are good STRONG trannies but the e4od are the crap ones

 

LOL, Well then i guess he wouldn't want mine then. I am sure he gets enough crap in the crapper..........LMAO!

 

Don't know about putting it into a truck. I wouldn't mind having it behind my 289 and both into a Falcon. But, I still have to find another Falcon at a realistic price.

 

We need to talk Copper..... Seriously, you are obviously a ford guy. Have I got someone for you to meet! You will blow your ford NUTS off when I introduce you.....PM me for contact info.

 

I don't think the E4OD out of a Lightening will have the right bell housing to work with an IDI.

I can't comment on how good or bad the stock E4OD is because mine was blown when I bought my truck. I rebuilt with updates and the right TC it is pretty bullet proof for the IDI.