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Horsepower Issues

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Old Aug 1, 2018 | 08:59 AM
  #1  
Lee Jones's Avatar
Lee Jones
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Horsepower Issues

I have a 90 F-350 with a 7.3. I've had the truck about 6 months and I live in the mountains. Going uphill is a chore especially since I use the truck as my company vehicle that I haul cattle and horses with. If I'm going 70 it'll drop to 45. Is this just how the pre-turbo, naturally asperated diesels are or could there be an underlying issue? I have fixed all the leaked I could find on the truck from brake hubs to oil and power steering leaks.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2018 | 09:03 AM
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Welcome to the forums.

Sounds like a typical early 7.3. They were not powerhouses back then.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2018 | 09:13 AM
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Mountains. Altitude is a horsepower killer. Gassers have the same issue. Manifold pressure is power. A turbodiesel is the best thing going but you have to weigh the benefits with the expenses and decide if it is worth it just to go faster.

If you look long enough and hard enough you can get a good deal on a turbodiesel but that is just the beginning. Expect to have a significant investment of both your time and money before you have a reliable, good-running vehicle.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2018 | 09:20 AM
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I kinda thought that would be it.
No, it isn't really worth it just for more power. The truck runs great and is just a little slow going up hills. I think I can live with that.

Thank you!
 

Last edited by Lee Jones; Aug 1, 2018 at 09:22 AM. Reason: Wrong reply
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Old Aug 1, 2018 | 11:06 AM
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Patiently search Craigslist for a turbo for your truck, or if you have a good junkyard check there too. Turbos are wildly abundant for the old idi's, and if you are patient you can find one cheap with all the pipes and accessories to fit your truck.

Or, if you plan on keeping it for a long time, a new kit from banks, or the like, isn't a bad investment.
 
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