I have a 93 2wd F-250, 7.3 IDI turbo with the ZF 5 speed. I will be cranking the engine for the first time in about 8 months after I put the tranny back in this weekend. I had to let the truck sit until I could get the money for a new clutch kit, throwout bearing, and slave cylinder.
When I parked the truck I filled both tanks full w/ diesel and disconnected both batteries.

Should I do anything to the engine before I crank it, as far priming the fuel system or anything?

Thanks for the help.

 

Eight years of sitting is a long time.

1, Probably a good idea to put in new batteries to start. Given the age if the old batteries still hold a charge they probably won't be putting out enough amps and you risk damaging the starter during prolonged cranking.

2, Diesel Fuel does deteriorate over time and eight years is a long time. If you are in an area that gets pretty warm then the diesel fuel can go bad even faster. An algea bloom in the tanks is a distinct possibility in that amount of time. Although the algea may have long died off it leaves solid residue in the tank which can quickly plug up your fuel filter.

3, For Diesel engines that have sat for long it is aways a good idea to pump up the oil galleries first to avoid risk spinning a bearing during the initial start-up. Remove the oil pressure sending unit and pressure some 10W40 oil into the oil galleries. If the above seems like to much work turn the engine over by hand a few times using a socket on the front damper. In eight years most of the oil would have drained from all the bearings and oil galleries into the oil pan.

4, Install a new fuel filter and fill it with a good additive such as Diesel Keen before re-installing the filter. This will help lubricate the injection pump and injectors during initial start-up.

5, Make sure your Wait To Start Light stays on for about 10 to 15 seconds prior to cranking the engine, this is a good indicator that the glow plug system is working properly.

6, Pull your front break pads off and put some neverseize on the caliper sliders, they would have rusted up pretty good in eight years of sitting.

 

Hamberger - If I read his post correctly he said it has been 8 months not years. So it won't be too bad to get going. Fuel should be OK.

 

You are right, I got to get some new glasses.

Just crank here over.

 

Throw 1/2 bottle of conditioner in each tank and fire it up.

 

Thanks for the replys yall. Im pumped about finally getting to drive this truck again. I drove this truck all through high school and my 1st year of college.Gas prices are killin me in my chevy k5. 35's arent the best for mileage. Plus I have a lot of great memories in this truck. This is one truck I will NEVER get rid of. She has always done me right.

 

I hear you, I got almost the identical 93' and remember buying it back in July of 92'. First job, no wife, no kids and money to burn. That truck sure has a lot of memories.

Milage is also fantastic at 18-19 mpg city; especially if you compare that to a 2005 Duramax automatic at 15 mpg city. The newer trucks may have more power, but sure disappoint on milage.