First Diesel
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Las Vegas
First Diesel
I am the proud new owner of a 1987 F250 4 speed 6.9 fwd ext cab long bed, this is my first diesel I have owned but admired many. It has 162,231 on the clock and seems to run great. It is non-turbo and bone stock and I tow very little but do pile up the bed with tile and cement. I was wondering what can I do to increase performance without breaking the bank, and what is the best repair manual out there for the truck and engine?
thanks. Yellow Lab Guy
thanks. Yellow Lab Guy
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Germany
Hi,
Welcome to FTE
congrats to your new truck. The 6.9 ltr. is a very good engine, mine has 260 000 miles and runs still very good.
To your question regarding the manuals.....I prefer for the engine the Hayne Diesel Techbook Part NO.10330 or, for the truck itself the big Chilton Part Nr 8576. Both Books can be ordered here:
http://www.motorhaven.com/customer/home.php?cat=141
BTW greetings to Las Vegas, nice place
Jens
Welcome to FTE
congrats to your new truck. The 6.9 ltr. is a very good engine, mine has 260 000 miles and runs still very good.
To your question regarding the manuals.....I prefer for the engine the Hayne Diesel Techbook Part NO.10330 or, for the truck itself the big Chilton Part Nr 8576. Both Books can be ordered here:
http://www.motorhaven.com/customer/home.php?cat=141
BTW greetings to Las Vegas, nice place
Jens
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New York
The best thing you can due for performance/ longegevty is change the oil in the rear axle, tranny, transfer case, and front axle. Its a little bit of a messy job buit much easier then rebuilding any of these comonents. And did i mention cheaper. For perfromance change the fuel filter regualry along with the air cleaner. and get rid of the stock restrictive air duct and make one out of some pvc of a bigger diamter. Next get rid of the scrony stock exhaust pipe and go to a bigger size pipe. Most folks recomend 3-3.5 inches i ran a 4 inch on mine more for looks then power but it does give the truck some more power.
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From: Las Vegas
I already did a full fluid change so I guess that was a good start. I was looking on-line for performance parts, but no one seems to care about the old diesels anymore. Does anyone make a bolt on exhaust for the 6.9 and Hypermax has a cold air induction system, any comments? Should I get an EGT gauge?
Yellow Lab Guy
Yellow Lab Guy
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From: Camp Pendleton
Banks makes a bolt on exhaust system for the truck that is said to be a pretty decent buy and will give your truck some more zip. I think it is called the stinger system. It is fairly inexpensive and when mated to a pair of the headers available it may be the ticket to getting some good power out of the truck.. Scotty
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From: Québec
Hi redneck, You mentionned a PVC tube for the intake air duct, does it make a big difference? And what size do you use. Also for the exhaust, do you run a 4 inches from front to back? Do you use 2 1/2 inche mufler?
Thanks,
Thanks,
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From: Camp Pendleton
Most guys including myself are running 3+ inch exhausts from front to back. I run a 4 inch exhaust all the way from the down pipe, but I have a turbo. Most guys with turbo's don't run a muffler, which keeps EGT's down. I am not sure how loud a NA diesel would be without a muffler but I am sure someone would know. Scotty
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I have a 88 7.3 with 3 1/2 inch exhaust all the way back and no turbo. Ssssshhhhhhhhh. Don't tell. It sounds awesome when you're pulling or working it, sounds like a 400 hp 460. But it's a VERY LOUD awesome sound. Going down the road normally you can't tell the differece in the cab from a stock truck but it's got a healthy rumble outside. If you don't like loud scary noises I'ld put a 3 or 3 1/2 inch glasspack on it, it'll kill the really loud parts of the trip. As for headers, there going to be a waste of money on any diesel especially if you have a huge open exhaust.