6.9 NO POWER
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Joined: Nov 2012
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6.9 NO POWER
i have a 1983 6.9 in my 90 f350 and this thing is lame, ive turned up the pump 1.5 flats, and no improvement just more smoke, i put a new set of injectors in and checked pump timing with a snap on pulse adapter and is at 9-10* at 2000 rpm, the truck has 3:55 gears and a 5 speed, i have to really wind it out to get up to speed and i now the brakes are no dragging. The engine has 98,000 original miles and looks to be the origanal ip. My buddy has a 7.3 in his 82 f250 4-speed, 3:55 gears and that thing has 3 times more power, it burns the tires in 3rd gear, mine snubs if i try in 2nd, i know his truck is a little lighter but it shouldnt be like this, whats the chances the pump is the issue? i have not checked compression yet, it starts and idles like a new truck
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 17
Haaa, saw that subject line and figured there was another fine running 6.9.
Mine's like that, first gear, floor it, wait 5 minutes, second gear, wait 5 minutes, repeat, repeat.
If it ever had power that's when I'd guess something's wrong.
Mine's like that, first gear, floor it, wait 5 minutes, second gear, wait 5 minutes, repeat, repeat.
If it ever had power that's when I'd guess something's wrong.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 13
There is definately something amiss.... Our 83 17,600lb service truck moves right along just fine with a naturally aspirated 6.9. So well in fact, it seems pretty obvious that there is something wrong with my 7.3... seriously i think that 6.9 in a pickup would give my turbo 7.3 a run for its money.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 17
There is definately something amiss.... Our 83 17,600lb service truck moves right along just fine with a naturally aspirated 6.9. So well in fact, it seems pretty obvious that there is something wrong with my 7.3... seriously i think that 6.9 in a pickup would give my turbo 7.3 a run for its money.
I know, I just like to poke fun sometimes. I always knew there was something wrong under the hood, being my 3rd IDI I knew what to expect, but I never got it from this truck. I don't know, timing, injectors, IP, maybe all the above. Not knowing any history on the rig doesn't help.
But it's a non-issue at this point anyways since the 6.9 is coming out for the 7.3. But I'll be looking into it once the 6.9 goes into the '86.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Orange County NY
i have a 1983 6.9 in my 90 f350 and this thing is lame, ive turned up the pump 1.5 flats, and no improvement just more smoke, i put a new set of injectors in and checked pump timing with a snap on pulse adapter and is at 9-10* at 2000 rpm, the truck has 3:55 gears and a 5 speed, i have to really wind it out to get up to speed and i now the brakes are no dragging. The engine has 98,000 original miles and looks to be the origanal ip. My buddy has a 7.3 in his 82 f250 4-speed, 3:55 gears and that thing has 3 times more power, it burns the tires in 3rd gear, mine snubs if i try in 2nd, i know his truck is a little lighter but it shouldnt be like this, whats the chances the pump is the issue? i have not checked compression yet, it starts and idles like a new truck
What injector line did you set the timing by?
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
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From: Over There
I'm no IDI expert but this would make me look elsewhere then a fuel, IP, injector issue. Smoke = enough fuel and would look closer at timing, maybe just go by ear and look at flow, both intake an exhaust. A plugged exhaust for example would show all your symptoms.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Orange County NY
Sounds like you got a steaming stink pile.
Getting it to run right could be expensive. You could throw a new pump at it and have the same gutless engine.
By the time you find out what's wrong, you could be into the engine for a thousand dollars and then you're married to it.
I'd look for a good runner 7.3 and sell that 6.9.
Getting it to run right could be expensive. You could throw a new pump at it and have the same gutless engine.
By the time you find out what's wrong, you could be into the engine for a thousand dollars and then you're married to it.
I'd look for a good runner 7.3 and sell that 6.9.
Elder User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Bellefontaine, OH
I have this same issue with my 85 crew can dually I am in the beginning stages of pulling the timing cover, radiator pulled, alternator, and power steering are all pulled hit a speed bump, gotta find the tools to pull the fan.... I am doing all this because I am told the truck has newer injectors and ip, but is so gutless it struggles to climb up hill, I am considering pulling the heads while I am at it since its only a few more bolts, the truck starts ok it seems like it spits and sputters for a few seconds, but then smooths out and from that point idles great but taking off and moving itself with carrying nothing in it but me seems like putting a go cart engine in a pickup truck and that is how I feel power wise, then I hop into my 86 f250 ext can 4x4 and she damn near roasts the tires compared to my other truck! I am checking timing because the po before the guy i bought the truck from supposedly changed the ip (I still think the ip looks funny) and couldn't get it to run the guy I bought the truck from said the timing for the ip was 180 off so I am thinking he pulled the ip timing gear and its still off
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
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From: Norco,CA
Do a compression test and if all's well install IP. Mine was like that and I changed IP and injectors and is fine now. None of the NA engines do that well up big hills. That's what the turbo's for in the later models. I've had mine since new and its a 86 van.