Hello all,

After getting more acquainted with my new truck, (1983 F350 6.9 IDI 4 spd MT) I have a few questions.

It seems like there is no way to get from 3rd to 4th without dropping off the torque curve. With out a tach to know what the engine is doing I'm shifting when it sounds like it wants to be shifted which is about 45MPH in 3rd, I'm not going to the governor. My experience with Diesels is the 350 Cummins and the Detroit deisel, both in dump trucks so little value here. The governor kicks in at 30 MPH in 2nd. It would be nice if the truck could pull the hill I live on at the speed limit of 50, It's about a mile long and there are parts of it that have to be a 15-20% grade.

What is the usable torque range of the 6.9?
Is it safe to sit on the governor for extended time periods, 1-2 minutes?
I there a tachometer available for these engines?
What are the gear ratios in the 4 Spd.?

Where is a good place to put a real oil pressure sender? I want to check the factory one, it fluctuates a bit to much for my liking plus I like to know the actual number.

The glow plugs seem to be dead no current flowing with the relay jumped and 12 volts on the plugs which tells me they are all open. I think I will just bypass all the control stuff and use a switch to control them, maybe make my own timer so I only have to push a momentary switch, How long would be a good time to leave them on for 10 Seconds?

I knew the glow plugs didn't work, it has been fitted with a plumbed in Either system for starting, What are the ramifications of breaking off a stuck glow plug? I'm worried about trying to get them out and causing a major tear down right when I need the truck, it is my snow plow for this year, I'm thinking of waiting until after the snow season to work on the GP's. Are my fears warranted?

Who makes a good shock for these trucks? One that can handle the load capacity of the truck? I had 2500 Lbs in the back of it and the shocks that seem OK empty were pretty sad.

Well that's about all I can remember for now.

Thanks
Brian

 

What is the usable torque range of the 6.9?
I don't know the numbers, but you have to realize you are driving a old school diesel with no turbo, so it's going to be relatively slow compared to the newer diesels.

Is it safe to sit on the governor for extended time periods, 1-2 minutes?
You can safely run against the govenor all day long. That's the design of these old diesels. They are built very heavy, and with no turbo their power level is not high. So they can run under load for extended periods, just keep an eye on the coolant temps, if the radiator or clutch fan has a problem they can overheat pulling a long extended grade at slow speeds.

I there a tachometer available for these engines?
There was a tach option for these from the factory. It had a special tach in the dash, and it read a special sensor mounted on top of the gear cover that drives the injection pump. The sensor read the teeth on the gear. If you run across one in the junkyard you can grab it.

What are the gear ratios in the 4 Spd.?
I don't know off the top of my head, but do a web search for a warner t19 in a ford. That's the tranny you have.

I have a manual button on my truck. It's just like a tractor or other piece of equipment, you do not need a timer, you just get used to how much to hold the button depending on how cold it is outside. It if won't start after a few cranks, hold the button some more and try again.

If you have some glowplugs that won't come out, you can turn the engine over by hand till that piston on that cylinder is at the top. Then go ahead and try to get the glowplug out. If the tip breaks off, the piston will hold it in the top of the head,, and you can take the injector out and use a vacuum cleaner and a air hose to try and suck the piece from the glowplug hole to the injector hole. The piston comes way to the top, so it will keep the piece up high in the head so you can work with it to get it out without pulling the head.

Make sure to buy Motorcraft or International brand glowplugs, the ones that say Beru on them, and you won't have this trouble.

 

regarding the useable torque, all of it.
i once pulled in my 85 f250 3.55 rear end (gvwr 5600 lbs 300i6 stock one barrel blown ring(s)) a 2000-2500 lbs trailer, with a 86 f250 6.9 idi (gvwr of 8600) three axles, a spare set of tires and both truck had full tanks up a mile -ish on-ramp in jacksonville florida with no problems. a little slow shifting through the t18, but she went with no problems, so ihave faith your idi will survive that.