Buying a bullnose?
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8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Ketchikan
Buying a bullnose?
Hi all, I just joined the forum today looking for some answers. I plan on buying a diesel bullnose by June 1st. I figured that I might as well ask what some trouble areas are in these vehicles?
I understand that they are 40 years old at this point, but I do not want to get a dud. I'm starting school this year and won't have much time to work on the truck.
I also want to ask if it is feasible to get an idi that runs and drives for 2 grand? I'm not looking for a looker, just something with good bones. I
appreciate your time, hopefully yall can help me.
I understand that they are 40 years old at this point, but I do not want to get a dud. I'm starting school this year and won't have much time to work on the truck.
I also want to ask if it is feasible to get an idi that runs and drives for 2 grand? I'm not looking for a looker, just something with good bones. I
appreciate your time, hopefully yall can help me.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 512
From: Edmond, OK
$2000 is less than I spent on my Bullnose truck years ago, but they are getting fewer and farther between.
When you go look at the truck try to see it stone cold in the morning. That way you can see if the glowplugs work. Also, 2 full tanks of diesel isn't the current owner being a nice guy, it's an indication that the fuel tank vents need work.
When you go look at the truck try to see it stone cold in the morning. That way you can see if the glowplugs work. Also, 2 full tanks of diesel isn't the current owner being a nice guy, it's an indication that the fuel tank vents need work.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
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From: Angier, NC
I was kind of thinking the same thing?
They are dogs with out a turbo.
Will not start with out glow plugs and hear that can be a issue.
Diesel fuel is more money at the pump than gas.
Depending on the miles on the injection pump may need to be rebuilt.
I got almost 100K on my GM 6.2 before its first rebuild and it was due for a 2nd at 230K when I sold the truck.
Only good thing is maybe the MPG the diesel will get but with the price of diesel I dont know if it is worth the trouble now days?
Back in the 80's I did own a diesel non turbo GM (new) when diesel was way cheaper then gas and got way more MPG than the gas truck of the day.
And the GOV gave you a tax refund if you bought a new one. At 100k miles I installed a turbo that was the best thing I did to the truck beside the 4.11 gears from 3.??
Dave ----
They are dogs with out a turbo.
Will not start with out glow plugs and hear that can be a issue.
Diesel fuel is more money at the pump than gas.
Depending on the miles on the injection pump may need to be rebuilt.
I got almost 100K on my GM 6.2 before its first rebuild and it was due for a 2nd at 230K when I sold the truck.
Only good thing is maybe the MPG the diesel will get but with the price of diesel I dont know if it is worth the trouble now days?
Back in the 80's I did own a diesel non turbo GM (new) when diesel was way cheaper then gas and got way more MPG than the gas truck of the day.
And the GOV gave you a tax refund if you bought a new one. At 100k miles I installed a turbo that was the best thing I did to the truck beside the 4.11 gears from 3.??
Dave ----
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8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Ketchikan
I'm figuring that I can get decent fuel mileage, and a semi reliable vehicle for hauling. I have no desire to hot rod one or go fast either, I have a gasser for that purpose.
Thread Starter
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8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 8
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From: Ketchikan
I was kind of thinking the same thing?
They are dogs with out a turbo.
Will not start with out glow plugs and hear that can be a issue.
Diesel fuel is more money at the pump than gas.
Depending on the miles on the injection pump may need to be rebuilt.
I got almost 100K on my GM 6.2 before its first rebuild and it was due for a 2nd at 230K when I sold the truck.
Only good thing is maybe the MPG the diesel will get but with the price of diesel I dont know if it is worth the trouble now days?
Back in the 80's I did own a diesel non turbo GM (new) when diesel was way cheaper then gas and got way more MPG than the gas truck of the day.
And the GOV gave you a tax refund if you bought a new one. At 100k miles I installed a turbo that was the best thing I did to the truck beside the 4.11 gears from 3.??
Dave ----
They are dogs with out a turbo.
Will not start with out glow plugs and hear that can be a issue.
Diesel fuel is more money at the pump than gas.
Depending on the miles on the injection pump may need to be rebuilt.
I got almost 100K on my GM 6.2 before its first rebuild and it was due for a 2nd at 230K when I sold the truck.
Only good thing is maybe the MPG the diesel will get but with the price of diesel I dont know if it is worth the trouble now days?
Back in the 80's I did own a diesel non turbo GM (new) when diesel was way cheaper then gas and got way more MPG than the gas truck of the day.
And the GOV gave you a tax refund if you bought a new one. At 100k miles I installed a turbo that was the best thing I did to the truck beside the 4.11 gears from 3.??
Dave ----
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 512
From: Edmond, OK
I bought my IDI Bullnose truck because the prices for a 7.3l PSD are out of this world if it has a reasonable amount of miles on it. Plus, I didn't want to deal with a 6.0l or DEF.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,335
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I love my 6.9 IDI. Had it since new. No it's not a race engine but plenty of horsepower and torque. I'm getting 20 mpg with the T-19 and 3.55 rear end. I also have 4x4 so can go 4x4 low range and pull logs with it. Yeah you'll likely need a diesel tune up every 125 to 150K miles. If you find a good one that starts cold without smoking too bad get it. You probably won't find many for 2,000 bucks. A refurbished 4x4, new paint decent engine recently sold for 20 grand on Bring a Trailer auction site.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,990
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From: Virginia
My 89 has been very reliable and good for towing. I say has been, it is now sitting in the yard and won't run. I think it might be a problem with the injection pump, since I have a good fuel supply to the pump, but no fuel to the injectors. It does have 152,000 on the original injection pump and injectors.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,335
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Diesel bullnoses have some advantages over a gasser bullnose. Fuel issues today with ethanol blends wreak havoc on the fuel system from tank to carb. Some have feedback carbs, computers, ICMs and later models some EFI. I would like access to ethanol free fuel if carbed. A lot of hp eating smog gear on some. With gas I'd really be leaning on joining the rip it all out club. Making the engine pre smog stock. Then the fuel has a shorter shelf life and attracts moisture. Diesel doesn't have those issues and the shelf life of diesel is very long. So if you don't drive a lot you don't have to worry about the fuel going bad on you.
And higher mpg and lower cost per mile than any gas engine.
And higher mpg and lower cost per mile than any gas engine.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
My 89 has been very reliable and good for towing. I say has been, it is now sitting in the yard and won't run. I think it might be a problem with the injection pump, since I have a good fuel supply to the pump, but no fuel to the injectors. It does have 152,000 on the original injection pump and injectors.
The only thing I dont like about the Ford pumps is the need for timing the pump and think it takes fancy tools to do so?
Diesel bullnoses have some advantages over a gasser bullnose. Fuel issues today with ethanol blends wreak havoc on the fuel system from tank to carb. Some have feedback carbs, computers, ICMs and later models some EFI. I would like access to ethanol free fuel if carbed. A lot of hp eating smog gear on some. With gas I'd really be leaning on joining the rip it all out club. Making the engine pre smog stock. Then the fuel has a shorter shelf life and attracts moisture. Diesel doesn't have those issues and the shelf life of diesel is very long. So if you don't drive a lot you don't have to worry about the fuel going bad on you.
And higher mpg and lower cost per mile than any gas engine.
And higher mpg and lower cost per mile than any gas engine.
I dont think todays fuel is all that bad on the older motors with carbs as I have 2 older motors that run carbs.
With the price of today's diesel I dont think the cost per mile is all that far off as I get 17 MPG with my truck.
Dave ----
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8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: Ketchikan
I do appreciate all the replies, definitely got some good info on the engine now. Are there any bullnose specific issues I should be looking for? I figure that I should also start looking for one too, do yall have any leads or websites I should look at?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,335
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I would say you are way pass due for a pump rebuild.
The only thing I dont like about the Ford pumps is the need for timing the pump and think it takes fancy tools to do so?
Dont get any water in the fuel and let it sit as it will start growing slime and once it starts there is like no stopping it. If the truck is used all the time even with water in it I have not seen slime grow.
I dont think todays fuel is all that bad on the older motors with carbs as I have 2 older motors that run carbs.
With the price of today's diesel I dont think the cost per mile is all that far off as I get 17 MPG with my truck.
Dave ----
The only thing I dont like about the Ford pumps is the need for timing the pump and think it takes fancy tools to do so?
Dont get any water in the fuel and let it sit as it will start growing slime and once it starts there is like no stopping it. If the truck is used all the time even with water in it I have not seen slime grow.
I dont think todays fuel is all that bad on the older motors with carbs as I have 2 older motors that run carbs.
With the price of today's diesel I dont think the cost per mile is all that far off as I get 17 MPG with my truck.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Not really fair to compare an F250 HD 4x4 supercab long bed with a F100 flareside on mileage but I still get 3 mpg more than your light show truck. Plus you have an add on overdrive which is not stock mpg. On my side I added the Banks Power Pack which improved my mileage by 2 mpgs.
It dose lower the RPM so less wear on the motor so I will take that.
I built it to drive and use not as a show truck as I do use it just dont load the crap out of it. I also pull our clubs support trailer to shows.
I cant remember dose the power pack have the turbo or is that just the bigger exh pipes?
I had the full show (turbo, pipes, gauges) on my 86 K5 Blazer with a 6.2 diesel. It turned it into like driving a gas motor on power off the line with the MPG of the diesel. That was the best thing I did to the truck.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,990
Likes: 2,740
From: Virginia
One plus with the older diesels; No emissions testing, no emissions equipment, no catalytic convertors, you can run the exhaust any way you want to. No smog pumps. The engine is very simple. The heart of it is the injection pump. Once you get it started (that can be the hard part sometimes) it's going to run. No cold natured carb/choke problems.