7.3 IDI steep grade performance question
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 48
From: California
7.3 IDI steep grade performance question
I have an 88 7.3 IDI Econoline E250 Club Wagon, and this weekend I took it for the first time into the mountains. The van was fully loaded, with 8 people and all their gear. We ended up on some roads that had at least 7 and 8 % grade for long stretches, which I didn't think was too much for the van to handle. However, I found myself pressing full throttle just to keep the speed up to 45 or 50 mph going up hill. Is that pretty standard for a 7.3 IDI? I don't have a turbo. Or might I have a performance issue?
Clueless spectator!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
Gen,
Yeah that is pretty standard unless you're turboed. Don't forget though, that you can plant that IDI at the govenor pre-climb and you will get a little farther up the hill before your downshifting. These old girls can handle 3000 RPM all day long without a problem.
EDIT: as long as your cooling system is up to par, and you should have a pyro if you're doing that loaded.
Yeah that is pretty standard unless you're turboed. Don't forget though, that you can plant that IDI at the govenor pre-climb and you will get a little farther up the hill before your downshifting. These old girls can handle 3000 RPM all day long without a problem.
EDIT: as long as your cooling system is up to par, and you should have a pyro if you're doing that loaded.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 21
I like those MPG numbers. I have the same e250 with a c6...only differance is I have 3.54's. After I tie up some loose ends I am gonna start looking for a used GV.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern IL
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I'd love to see 19-20mpg out of my van in the highway, but highest i've ever seen was 16mpg on a 8 hour trip.
I do have the C6 with 4.10's though. lol
And yep, that's a good ol' fully loaded IDI in them hills!
Love climbing hills screamin on the governor! Lord knows that's music to my ears
I do have the C6 with 4.10's though. lol
And yep, that's a good ol' fully loaded IDI in them hills!
Love climbing hills screamin on the governor! Lord knows that's music to my ears
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I've got a 460, C6, and 4.56 gears, and I get about 10.5 MPG at 55 on the highway. I'd really like to get a ZF 5-speed with that 5th gear ratio. I think the 5th gear ratio in a ZF is .72:1 vs. the 1:1 in the C6. I like the 4.56 gears though for crazy take-offs, lol
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 48
From: California
I bought the van in October and right from the PO, we averaged 14-15 mpg. I did lots of maintenance (really needed it) and squeezed it up to 16mpg. That GV unit is pretty nice. Totally worth every penny, especially since I got it used and paid barely 1/10th the price of it new. The driveshaft investment was pretty much the same price as the GV unit. I did the GV maintenance myself (new seals, new gaskets, filter baths, flushed system, and currently still tracking down a cable speedosensor leak) so that saved me the cost of having it rebuilt.
But the scary part about getting the GV from a junk yard is they tend to forget that the tailshaft housing is "part of" the GV system. So make sure you get that.
When I flip on that unit at 55 mph, the engine is SOOOO quiet, it's amazing.
But the scary part about getting the GV from a junk yard is they tend to forget that the tailshaft housing is "part of" the GV system. So make sure you get that.
When I flip on that unit at 55 mph, the engine is SOOOO quiet, it's amazing.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JRB64
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
Dec 3, 2018 11:24 PM
Americanironracing
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Jul 24, 2015 01:15 AM
bigtexan99
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Apr 12, 2013 02:02 PM
4WheelDriveVan
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
3
Nov 24, 2010 09:08 PM