Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Worth the purchase?

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Old 12-08-2016, 10:01 PM
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Worth the purchase?

So I responded to an ad recently about an 84 F250 4x4 for $500. According to the ad it was a running and driving truck. I get out there to look at it, and he can't get it going, said it was running last week, and I've no reason to believe he's lying to me.

He bought it last year thinking he'd use it on the farm, but it ended up staying parked for the season.

So here's the rundown on it. It's old, it's beat up, but it has a clean title. 6.9 diesel, not firing up but turning over. Has an 8 ft flatbed with headache rack that looks like it could clean up alright. Also has a mess of tires (some good, some bad) that have to go with it along with a fuel transfer tank.

He says the truck sat for a while before he got it, and it hasn't had fresh diesel added in years. Is it old diesel causing it to not fire up? Really the only diesel experience I have is with my 7.3.

Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
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Old 12-08-2016, 10:16 PM
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I'd do it. Might offer him a little less, but if it turns over, it'll probably run. Disconnect the glow plugs and use some ether to try to start it.

The good news is that old diesel generally will burn just fine, the only issue is water accumulating(and in very warm climates, algae growing on that water and clogging filters.

A truck that's been sitting for a while may well have glow plug trouble, fuel that's drained down and needs some cranking to 're-prime' the system... but there isn't much ares to go wrong. It's a simple system overall, and the differences from 6.9 and 7.3(IDI) are miniscule at best.
 
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Old 12-09-2016, 04:42 AM
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The bed alone could be worth that. Jump on it
 
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Old 12-09-2016, 08:47 AM
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here in cali, id offer him 200, if he balks at the offer, walk away.
I have bought similar trucks for 100. even at 500, if motivated you could sell the parts
for that. the last truck I purchased was an 85 in good condition minus the fact the heads were MIA, potential parts sale: oil cooler 100$ T-19 4wd = 300$
I did sell the fuel doors, fuel senders and seat to make my cash back.
the engine had been swapped for a 7.3. now I have a virgin bore core!
I ended up giving all of the body parts to my cousin minus the front end. and the best part, we sat back with beer and the bong while we watched our kids strip it.
 
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:44 AM
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Thanks for the input guys, I'm gonna head back over there and see if maybe he'd take less.
 
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Old 12-09-2016, 06:00 PM
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Not a truck but I just picked up a golf cart for 175 he was asking 250
 
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Old 12-14-2016, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by hturner12
Not a truck but I just picked up a golf cart for 175 he was asking 250
6.9 or 7.3?
 
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Old 12-14-2016, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Chevy_Eater
6.9 or 7.3?
Badge it as a 7.7.3 turbo. Record the truck running and play the recording when we drive it

I have seen a nitros gas cart . It would do wheelies and burnouts
 
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Old 12-15-2016, 10:03 AM
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Since it's been sitting around for years, probably just needs fresh return lines and seals in the fuel filter head and she'd be good to go.

If it's standard, just bum start it with the clutch, your starter and batteries will thank you.
 
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