I have a 1987 International 2 ton truck with a 6.9
It has 200,000 mile and looking to replace it with a 7.3 if the bell housing is the same ?? Can I make this swap ? How far can I go up the date line and still fit my 5 speed trans. and motor mounts ? Will a 7.3 power stroke still fit ? Thanks..

 

The International 7.3 is just a 6.9 bored over. They should be the exact same bellhouseing. I believe that there are minor differences including the glow plug system. A power stroke 7.3 is a completely different beast! One of the more knowledgeable users should be able to provide an answer as to the more intricate changes to the engines.

 

The 7.3 IDI has a better glow plug system than the 6.9 (1987 6.9 may have the newer style).

Bellhousing is the same among the 6.9 IDI, 7.3 IDI, 7.3 powerstroke, and 6.0 powerstroke (not sure about the 6.4L).

The flexplates DID change for the powerstokes, but they can be adapted, the IDIs have 4 stud where the powerstrokes have 6 stud.

But since the speedo cable was eliminated in 1992, the ZF 5 speed is probably your best bet.

 

you should be able to fit any motor up to 1999, at least thats what Ive heard. I would go with a 95 or 96 PSD motor. Like they said, the early 7.3s were just bored out 6.9's so you might want to go to a newer 7.3 so you dont have to worry about cavitation etc. Anyone correct me if Im wrong, but im pretty sure the last year 7.3 thatll work is 1999 and no you can't put a 6.0 on there(not that youd want the POS anyways)

 

Thanks !!!! I'll start looking for a good 7.3 power stroke w/turbo to replace the 6.9 .
Its still running fine but with 180,000 miles I'm looking ahead so when I do swap it'll be ready & have a little more power.
My mechanics truck w/welding machine, air compressor, tools, auto crane weights a lot..

 

If you want a whole powerstroke engine, then you are getting into a big can of beans, bolting it up is just the bigineing, the electrical will be fun to say the least (there is also a different computer for autos than manual trannies).

Just so you know, an older IDI with a turbo will go toe to toe with a 7.3 powerstroke, and theres a lot less to go wrong with them. If Dave Sponaugle chimes in, he can tell you all about it.....

 

You can bolt any diesel from an 83 6.9 to a 2003 Power Stroke into the truck.
It will bolt up to the transmission and the truck frame.

However, an IDI is a mechanical control engine, the throttle cable goes from the throttle pedal to the injection pump.
It really only needs one wire to run, that is one to open the fuel shut off solenoid.

The Power Stroke has a rheostat on the throttle pedal that is fed into the computer along with 20 other sensors so the computer can tell the injector when and how much fuel to fire.
So the throttle pedal assembly has to swap.
Computer, need that and all the wiring.

If you want to install a Power Stroke in an IDI truck, go buy a wrecked Power Stroke truck.
Take every wire out of both trucks cabs, then put the Power Stroke electrical system in the IDI truck.

By the way, the computer also recieves a signal from the VSS in the rear axle on a Power Stroke, so you need to swap the rear axle as well.

I can't say for sure the T444E which is the International version of the Power Stroke uses all the same sensors in the same location as Ford does, but they have to be there somewhere.
It is going to be a wiring nightmare before it runs.

I spent about 4500 for parts and machine work, did all the labor myself and have a 6.9 that will run with the Strokes or Cummins engines.
I'll stick with my 6.9 turbo.



Remember you can buy an entire set of IDI injectors for the cost of one out of a Power Stroke engine.

 

Aloha Ford Diesel Forum members,

This is my first post. I need a truck to pull a 6000# boat in a hilly terrain.

I'm considering purchasing an '86 Ford F250 4x4 4-speed with 190,000 miles.

Can anyone tell me what I'm getting into? I'd first have to buy it blind and have it shipped to Hawaii so I'm a bit nervous.

What price should this truck be? (Kelley puts it at $1750 in a $1350 to $2100 range)

The body and paint are good, it apparently runs good but has one leaky injector, pulls to the right a little, and the tailgate is damaged but useable. Has a cab-height camper top, a trailer hitch and a CB.

Here's a big question... is the 6.9 a turbo charged engine?

Aloha, Dean.

 

Not from factory, the turbos that we discuss here are aftermarkets. ATS, Banks, and hypermax are the most common.

Is the speed limit in hawaii 55 mph or 70?, if you only have to go 55, then it will do well, but steeper hils can still be a drag towing with a N/A 6.9, but if you're not in a hurry, it will do fine.

If the truck is clean, and runs well, then you can expect to pay $3000 and up, where I live you can easily spend $5000 CAD on one. But better deals have been reported here on occasion.

You might try starting a new thread, since more folks are likely to weight in if they see your heading.

 

Aloha David,

Thanks for the answer. I'm surprised that Kelley Blue Book is so far off. I know they are typically lower but this is lower than half price.

The speed limits in Hawaii is 65 on the "Interstates"... as though you could drive to another state. H1 was the first federal highway, H2 and H3 were later. Now the Superferry is trying to get started and it's being called H4. On my island (Hawaii, the Big Island) there are no federal highways.

At present I have a year 2000 Dodge diesel automatic and I hate it. The Cummins 5.9 is fine but all the power spins out through the toruque converter. The lock-up torque converter works fine over 48 mph but I seldom get to go that fast.

Aloha, Dean.

 

IF the Ford has a manual trans you probably will be happy with it. The 6.9's are pretty good ole motors.