Hi all. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
I'm going to be buying a 1989 F-350 Diesel (I think 7.3 IDI) from my friend. I'm way excited about it. It's a single cab long bed with 166K miles on it. If I had a dream truck this is basically it. Admittedly it's got a few cosmetic issues, but seems to be running flawlessly.
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I've not really been around diesel trucks before. Do any of you have a few do's or don'ts about diesel maintenance, general pointers, or anything y’all learned the hard way??? <o></o>
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Anything would be great.<o></o>
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Thanks much!<o></o>

 

make sure you use only a ELC or a SCA additive in your cooling system. Search those two things if you dont know what they are. Also, make sure you use only a ford thermostat and glow plugs. Pensicola is your best friend when it comes to replacement injectors, injector return lines and IP's. just browse this section and you will learn anything, and everything you could ever dream of for these trucks. Dont think there is an idea that someone here hasnt thought of or exicuted

 

the most important is 15w40 diesel oil , and i only use motorcraft it is formulated for our diesels

 

Rotella, chevron and valvoline works great too. 70% of these guys swear by rotella

 

Welcome to the club.

You are like a cat person who just asked a bunch of dog owners what should you know about the dog you just found. You can ask a question and get 2-3 different ways that will work for you and a dozen that won't.

My advise is remember this. It's a whole different animal.

That said I agree with what's been said so far.

Find out from your friend how well it cranks in the winter. Gasers may take a few seconds at 30deg but a diesel will just refuse to start. That could be minor or severe.

These are incredibly simple engines that have proven themselves to be very relivable. There's no smog or electronics to make them run and just about anybody with a little diesel knowledge should be able to fix it.

Ford bought these engines from International and they were put straight into the truck. What makes that important is the fact that these are the same engines that went into a lot of Blue bird school buses and other small single axle delivery trucks like UPS trucks. It was built for commercial use and adopted by Ford. If it has been taken care of and not worked to hard you can get over 500,000 miles out of these engines.

I have 334,000 miles and pull 16,000lbs weekly as a work truck.

 

AWESOME!!! Thanks everyone!!! I'm getting the truck this weekend. As far as cold cranking, My friend says he's started relatively easily in 40 degrees with out the block heater. I think he's also gotten it to start in the single digits with the block heater. I think cold starting isn't going to be much of an issue for me. I would like to get the A/C working. It came stalk with A/C, but the compressor and hard lines are missing.