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Keep it or part it?

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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 09:59 AM
  #1  
adelyser's Avatar
adelyser
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Keep it or part it?

Hey everyone, I am new to the diesel world, or at least as far as owning one goes. I recently obtained a 1987 F-250 4X4 with the 6.9L diesel. It was in a wreck, and needed a new passenger side axle and front clip. The odometer shows 93k, but I believe it to be rolled.

The engine fires right up, and runs good and smooth. I replaced the passenger side axle this weekend, and it pulls strong, and the transmission (C6) shifts great. However, when I decelerate, it makes a nasty grinding noise, where I believe its coming from the transfer case. Any ideas on what causes this?

I still need the new front clip, and now a transfer case. I got the truck for the cost of getting the title, so I have next to nothing in it. My question, is it worth it to fix it or just part it out? I don't know much about these diesels, as I have driven mostly Powerstrokes and International DT466's. How long does the average 6.9L last?

Thanks for any info.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 05:27 PM
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MRZ
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Do you know anything about its previous life? Maintenance wise? That would be a big factor in you decision.

If you have space, and don't need it, and have the time, it may be one of those deals that you can wait long enough and find the parts cheap enough to fix it and sell it complete at a very nice profit. Or, if your old lady will kill you for leaving a junky truck sitting around it might be best to part it out, get the quick cash, and buy her some nice jewlery...
 
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 07:18 PM
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Dave Sponaugle
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
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I worked the crap out of mine for 252,000. And it was still running strong then, it was just developing quite a thirst for 15w-40. 50 miles to a quart is kinda expensive.

As far as the grinding noise under deceleration you may have an exhaust pipe rubbing against something under the cab. It is kinda strange to only have a noise like that on decel. Check your u joints in the rear driveshaft while you are under the truck.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 10:11 AM
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adelyser
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Thanks for the replies. I do have the space to let it sit to fix, or part. I have thought of fixing it up and just driving it for awhile, and eventually sell it or trade it for a new Superduty Powerstroke. I don't know the history, but I think maintenance was done accordingly as it doesn't leak a drop of anything, everything looks clean, and it starts right up and runs great.

As for the noise, I don't think it's the exhaust, as when I put the t-case in Neutral, the noise stops. It makes noise in 2HI, 4HI, and 4LO. I will check the u-joints, but I can feel the grinding through the t-case shift lever when it happens. I have never torn apart a t-case, but I am going to try Pull-N-Save on Saturday for a replacement. They charge $68 for one.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2004 | 10:28 AM
  #5  
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Spectramac
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From: Monroe, WA
I had to fix a grinding T-case a while back. It wasn't too hard. There's two half-round plates that go into a hub that had broken out and were grinding on things. I picked up some new plates and a snap ring kit and threw it back together, worked fine. $68 is pretty cheep though.

87s are a pretty good truck. The 6.9s have always been the more reliable engine although a little under powered. Being the last year 6.9 it has all the updates, late glow plugs, head gaskets, rocker bridges, and gear reduction starter. It hard to go wrong with a C-6 tranny either. The body/frame would be the only negatives I could think of, if you can fix it yourself, go for it.
 
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