Well, signed up and thought it best to make a quick introduction. My main reason for signing up is my 88 Ford reg cab longbed F250 4x4 7.3 diesel with ATS turbo and factory 5-speed trans that I recently inherited from my father. I have done basic maintenance on the truck last 10 years, but it sat for most part during that time since my father had a severe stroke. Truck only has 113K miles and has an ATS turbo on it. My dad owned the truck since 1990, he put the turbo on. It was pretty doggy before the turbo. It is a nice truck and seems to work good overall. I have fixed the broken P/W motor twice on driver's side due to the rollers breaking - this last time I replaced them with metal. Fixed leaking rear axle seals. Replaced the alternator when the bearing failed. Have to charge the A/C about once per year with one can, good thing I have a nice supply. Of course oil. filter and coolant changes along the way. Sorry I don't have any pictures, but it looks like a 3 year old truck, even though it is nearly 30 years old. It really is that nice, never wrecked, and only issue is the oxidized red paint. I would like tit to be a different color, but it is what it is.

My name is Terry, 47 years old, work as an engineer on nukes (the kind that make big mushroom clouds, not powerplant nukes). I live in Tijeras, NM; which is in the east mountains of Albuquerque. My house is at about 7100 ft elevation and I do get reasonable amount of snow. Started out using the 38Chevy454 name on a couple forums way back, just keep using it here. It was my first hot rod car I built, obviously a 38 Chevy (2 dr sedan) with a 454. About 450 hp and a nice hot rod. Has a 700R4 trans and 9-inch rearend.


My normal daily driver when the weather is not snow or rain is my 37 Ford Utility Coupe, or better known as a Ute. It is from Australia, and is hot rodded with a 289/C4/9-inch drivetrain. It is right hand drive still. I always drive old cars as daily drivers, this is just my latest one taking its turn.


Here is my 49 COE. Probably the one that most people have identified me with. Pictures of my COE have been all over the world. Have met many people because of this truck. Almost too many modifications to list, but a quick summary. I chopped the top 4 inches, on a 74 GM 1-ton dually reg cab chassis with Chevy 350/Turbo 400 drivetrain. Air bags on the front with dropped spindles. Flipped rearend on top of the leafs with frame notched. Custom flatbed. Has A/C and drive it to Bonneville every year past 4 years. Was my daily driver prior to moving to NM in Oct 2009.


I also have a 37 Chevy Ute. This one is all stock and have plans to hot rod it. RHD and also from Australia


My 68 Pontiac GTO that I have had for 31 years. All orig except repaint and engine rebuild when i was 16. I will never sell this car. Looks better int he pics than reality. I need to repaint again and also replace the vinyl top. It runs great though and always puts a smile on my face when I drive it.


Here is my latest acquisition, a 42 Ford 9N tractor. Need this for my 400 ft gravel driveway maintenance and for snow plowing.


Also have a 97 Expedition 4x4 that I use as my bad weather driver. Wife's daily driver is a 2008 Edge, it kicks butt in the snow. I also have a 92 Chevy ex cab dually with supercharged 454 which is my main towing vehicle. Now that I have my dad's truck, I can use it to tow instead.

Well, that is where I am coming from and why I am here. To learn about the 7.3 diesel engine and what I can do to help make it better. Already been reading up on cold weather starting. My dad's truck spent it life in CA and never had real cold like i get. It does start, but sometimes have to cycle the glow plugs and crank it routine a couple times and then it starts. I plan to replace all the glow plugs, think I have some that are not working. Look forward to being around and hopefully can contribute as well. Terry

 

Welcome to FTE Terry!

Very nice first post!

You will defenentlly find ALOT of usefull information about everything there is to know here about these 6.9/7.3 IDI Diesels. You'll learn something new everyday just by hanging around onces in a while and reading posts.

And great collection of cars you have!

 

link to the glow plugs for the 7.3L is in my signature its the first link down there only use motorcraft plugs any other type can lead to swelling or premature failure.

antifreeze needs to have SCA additive which you probably already know but in case you don't the 7.3 is prone to cavitation if the SCA level in the coolant is not maintained. link to good coolant is link number 2 in my signature. if john deere is not readily available CAT and International should have fleet charge which is essentially the same thing. the john deere is about 15 dollars for a gallon of concentrate

and if your still using the stock fuel filter setup and want to change it out to a one piece design the third link in my signature will give you the correct filter. mine leaked from the metal cap on the bottom of the stock filter setup so rather than paying ford to repair crappy design i went one piece with no problems. has plug for water in fuel light to be connected just like the OEM setup.