Hi All,

I recently picked up a 1986 F350 Crew Cab long bed diesel to pull my 24ft 5th wheel trailer. It was a "one owner" and seemed well set up for the job. It has the "Banks Turbo" kit on the 6.9 IH engine, 4spd with about 145,000 miles on. It has the full set of Banks gauges for exhaust temp, boost pressure, and extra coolant temp.

I cleaned it up and had to work through a few problems like replacing the ignition switch that was coming apart causing intermittent power to the gauges etc. I also replaced the bushings on the front axle trailing arms, and installed new tires. The fuel gauge for the twin tanks doesn't work on either tank but I haven't sorted that out yet. Ideas/fixes welcome

I don't know how it should perform but it seemed pretty strong- pulling my trailer on a recent trip to Southern California. In third gear, I was able to maintain 55 mph over the infamous "Grapevine" road to Gorman Pass. The factory coolant gauge showed only a little past half way but the Banks gauge was indicating 230 degrees and steady. (That seemed too hot, but I figured it would either overheat and blow or thats what it runs at)- It didn't get any hotter and didn't loose any coolant so I don't know-maybe that gauge isn't correct or thats the way they run. Boost pressure was at about 10.5 psi and exhaust temps were a little over 900. In normal driving around the Banks gauge always shows about 210 and the factory gauge is below half-way. Any input ref this would be appreciated... I look forward to many trips and adventures.

Aren't these forums great?

 

Diesel engine coolant temperature at the top of the radiator where hose attaches after high rpm or under load condition for 20 minutes should be (195-237*F) 91-114*C nice time to have a temperature reading point and shoot tool.

 

Thanks,
My sending unit is installed on the head at the front just adjacent to the exhaust manifold (maybe why it reads so hot). I checked the coolant today and it was right to the top. I guess thats how it is with the turbo and all. The exhaust temp gauge reads over 900 and it's within a an inch or so. Overall I'm happy with th overall performance. My '85 Chevy with a 350 gets about 8.5 mpg pulling the same trailer and I'm getting between 13 and 15 with the diesel Ford! Now if fuel wasn't $3 a gallon here in California. I actually have a "point and shoot temp sensor-I bought it at Harbor Freight for$9.95 last week but I'm not sure how high it goes. I'll give it a try.

 

atcboss,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.

Come see us often, we can give you all kinds of tips and fixes.

The fuel gauges not working is probably dead sending units in the fuel tanks.

 

Hard to believe that both tank senders failed or is it that common?

 

I had this problem on my 86, it was the tank selector valve, apparently the selector valve switches the fuel gauge reading as well as the fuel flow.

 

Actually it is rather common for the tank sending units to fail, but then you are talking about a vehicle that is over 20 years old.

 

Yeah, I agree with Dave. The senders design changed in 87. Both of the senders in my 85 read funky. They read good at full to about 1/2 then shoot all over the place. When they do read E. I can put 10/12 gallons in, and the tanks are full.

They're a reohstat type design, the contacts get worn down and fail. Also, the floats are notorius for getting pinholes in them, and filling with fuel.