Hey folks
I found what looks like a nice condition '85 f250 idi diesel on Craigslist. I've had an old worn out 6.9 idi in the past with over 300k on the clock so I cant really compare the two. I currently have a 96 powerstroke and a gasser '84 f150. I'm looking to retire my "gas" guzzling f150 and maybe pick up this diesel truck for some better fuel economy. I'm using it for work so I need something that's fuel conservative and reliable. The ad claims its only got 108k on the clock.*

When i asked my mechanic friend what he thought he said the 6.9 was garbage. I always like to ask other peoples opinions (mechanics) just to hear their thoughts and then go to the proper source for an opinion.*

How are they for longevity? Fuel economy and well power? I had heard from a fellow dieseler they have no power but loads of torque as they should.*

Not sure what I'm going to do yet as I'm leery about taking on a second vehicle payment so I'm just gathering research.*

Share with me your thoughts!*

Thanks much.*

 

Your mechanic friend obviously knows diddly about the 6.9 More reliable than the 7.3 since it doesnt have cavitation issues.

Not powerhouses but they do just fine, My first diesel was an 84 f350 4x4 6.9 4spd and it would keep up with traffic easily and hold 110km/h on the highway all day long, loaded or unloaded, up hill or flat. The speedo was broken at 430,000km

 

double post

 

I agree, you need a new mechanic friend. I dont even have to be biased to say that the 6.9 AND 7.3 are some of the best engines around. Theyre pure workhorses, tough and last forever. On top of that maintenence is cheap, and theyre easy to work on. Toss a turbo on it and enjoy the same kind of power you have with your powerstroke.

 

I love mechanics like that, they don't know jack about an engine, but rather than admit it, they just call it garbage.

The 6.9 and 7.3 are very simple, reliable engines.

 

This is the second biggest reason i became a mechanic, because sheeple are dumb. I just cant trust most people to fix stuff right, and knowing a fair bit about what im doing and seeing how others do it, fully justifies my opinion... in my opinion lol

Obviously the first reason is because i enjoy it.

 

thanks so far for the input guys. My biggest beef with these mechanics are that they're gas engine mechanics. What do they REALLY know about the diesel engines? I'm not saying they don't know anything but someone who is a trained diesel mechanic or diesel enthusiast such as ourselves can probably would not agree with those kinds of statements. I personally always thought the 6.9 was a good motor. In fact the one I had with over 300k would start in the dead cold with no glow plugs or at least with half-working glow plugs. The thing was a true hill-billy truck but ran awesome for how many miles it had on it.

Come to think about it, I have another mechanic friend that used to be a drag racer. A true ford mech and performance builder but over the past couple of years he's become a typical "fix it" mechanics. For example I brought in my gas f-150. It has about 165k on the clock. When I first got it, it needed a tune up, new radiator and some other misc. things. His answer to my asking him to look at it and fix what needed to be fixed was to "just get rid of that piece of crap and get something more reliable. Granted he was right about the reliability thing (and only because I have been straightening out years of messed up previous owner jig-rigging) but since I have most of the wrinkles ironed out, that old lady runs pretty dang good for being 28 years old. Granted my mechanic friend was looking out for my best interest but I don't want a work van. I bought an '84 bullnose f-150 PICKUP TRUCK FOR A REASON!!!

ok, sorry for the rant...but mechs like that drive me crazy. I'm very mechanically inclined and if I went to school and had daily hands-on experience in an auto-shop I would be just as proficient as the next mech. I just don't have the experience these guys do. If I have instructions on how to do things I can do it. I've rebuilt engines, swapped transmissions, replaced ball joints, etc. just by doing it and asking questions.


SO that being said, I'm going to keep debating the 6.9 idi work truck. My biggest decision is the financial end...

Thanks again and any more input is much appreciated. How's typical fuel mileage on these things? This particular has a 3 spd auto trans so I'm assuming it won't be as good as the manual trucks.

 

I hope this isn't a violation of site policy but here is the ad for the f250. Now that I'm looking at this on a computer and not my iPhone, I can see how sweet this ride is...and CLEAN! Too bad it doesn't look like it has air conditioning my current f150 does and sadly I love to have ac...

1986 Ford F250 Regular Cab 2WD For Sale In Vineland NJ 08360 - Auto Outlet Of Vineland

 

That truck is in nice shape! The price reflects it too!

You could add aftermarket air if you need it, our summers here hit 115 so I always make sure I have air anymore.

Check out that exhaust carefully, it looks like it might be hacked. Not only does it have that weird protrusion on it, I'm seeing clamps and a pipe size that's way small for a diesel.

That mpg is a bit optimistic, IMO. My '84 was a similar truck, regular cab 2wd 6.9 C6, stock tires, never checked what rear it had. I got a pretty reliable 15mpg @ 65-70mph. Which I always felt was good for a 3/4 ton truck. If it was a 460 it'd get 6-8mpg. Of course with the IDI RPMS are everything, you might get that 17/19 if you drove it like an old man, 55 max on the freeway, 0-45 in 15 minutes.

 

I have owned a 7.3 IDI for a few weeks now and Im not looking back! Theyre incredibly reliable, even the 7.3s (minus cavitation mentioned earlier). Theyre built to haul a trailer for 400,000 miles, but not to outrun a 'stang. Mines got a ZF5 tranny so it has ZERO computer input needed to work the drivetrain. Hows that for reliability?

Tons of torque, not much HP. A 460 actually makes better power than a 7.3 n/a BUT at 9-11 mpg (iv never got less than 9 in my 460). Iv filled up once since I got it and cleared 16 mpgs in the IDI w/ 4.10 gears. Swap in some 3.55s and you might clear 20 if your easy on it

 

Mileage wise ive managed everything from 11 - 21.6. Usuaully shes a pretty solid 18 though when just driving it, and by just driving it i mean drivin the hell outta it.

 

Wow that's incredible mileage! I'd love a zf-5. I passed up on an offer from a fellow member that had a whole conversion and I'm kicking myself for doing so although automatic is nice to drive when you've completed a 12 hour day of climbing ladders, hanging drywall etc and your legs are like rubber LOL but I would "suffer" for better mileage.

As for a/c I only really want it on when it's humid. In my "older" age I can tolerate heat just not humidity and it's not even that bad here in jersey LOL

We'll see what happens. If I can find time I'd like to go see it. The exhaust tip looks like it'll help the 6.9 gain some serious horsepower hahahahaha

 

Well, you're cheating, you have a 5 speed.

 

Sit down and do the math. Be sure to include the more expensive fuel, filters, oil quantity, tires, etc. costs associated with the diesel truck. You will NOT be saving money.

 

^^^ Theres no way you can make that conclusion based on what hes said