I have been reading about the FPR shim. My truck has 149K on it so I would like to check my fuel pressure to see if I need to shim (or add a 3/16 ball bearing).

I read that people use a tire pressure gage to check their fuel pressure. Where are they putting the chuck to take this pressure? Also, will this damage the gage so that I can't use it on my tires anymore?

I'm also reading that my pressure should be around 65-70#. Is that about right?

Thanks for any help.

 

There is no way to check the fuel pressure on the 99 on trucks. That was the older body style and they have a mechanical fuel pump with a schrader valve somewhere on the system for that purpose.
On the later trucks you have to plumb in a gauge.
With that said, I would be very surprised if you fuel pressure regulator is bad.
I would be more inclined toward low fuel volume, which will manifest itself as good pressure at idle and light engine loads, such as maintaining speed on straight and level ground.
Then pressure would drop off on a hill or hard acceloration. Power would hit hard then drop away immediately if you needed to pass a car.

 

I just recently isntalled a gauge under my hood, wanting it because it looked really cool and could "theoretically" be used for troubleshooting. However, yesterday, I found out the truth about its usefulness, which is why I am also going to be installing an electric fuel pressure gauge un my cab.

You see, I just started transferring my fuel supply from dino diesel to a B20 blend, and was about half way through this frist tank (which was only a 5% blend for starters) when I started feeling a low speed "surge", or "lunging" in acceleration. it got progressively worse over the weekend until it was really driving me nuts yesterday.

So I changed my Bladwin prepump filter and the filter on the engine, but watched the gauge at idle for a while first. When i first installed this gauge, the pressure on the fuel filter housing read a rock solid steady 61-62 lbs... absolutely no variation even when punching the pedal while in neutral. Yesterday afternoon, before changing the filters, the needle was bouncing rapidly between about 56-59 lbs, even at idle. Once the filters were changed and the engine had been run fr a few minutes, the gauge read once again a rock solid steady 61 lbs. Upon driving around, there was still s light stumbling in low speed acceleration, but within about 15 miles of driving, it is probably back to about 98% of normal "feel" during accelerations and low speed driving.

Therefore... along winded encouragement to "get your pressure gauge installed." My install is in my gallery.

Air pressure gauge? I wouldn't go that route myself. In fact, I didn't. Unless your a big DIY'er like some of us, you can get the entire kit for a fuel gauge mounting off the fuel filter housing from this link (thrid item on page, scroll down to find it).
http://www.dfuser.com/mfg/powerstroke/73/Engine/Other/Other.php

Installation instructions
http://www.dfuser.com/Install%20Guides/Fuel%20Pressure%20Gauge%20Kit%202006-03-05.pdf

 

Pete, that is exactly why I am installing a fuel pressure gauge in the cab. It can warn you of 2 things- dirty filters, or failing pump. Even a leak, if its in the right spot.

I will also be installing an oil pressure gauge. that will make 7 in my sig and probably all the gauges i'll need.

 

I ran fuel pressure guages in my trucks for years,got the idea from caterpillar years ago as it was standard on all their heavy equipment
will tell you pretty quick if you get a bad batch of fuel

 

that's what my pops was telling me. When he owned his big trucks, fuel and oil pressure were a must up in SD. He was laughing when I told him that I was getting one with an electrical sending unit, because I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of a mechanical one plumbed into the cab. His response, "That's all we had back in my day son."

 

they were a must back in early 70s when fuel was hard to get,would sometimes have to change filters twice a day

 

Yep, I'm going to install two separate sending units with a flip switch on my soon to be installed gauge - one to read the pressure where the under hood unit is (on the fuel filter housing), and the other to read the pressure on my fuel crossover line "downstream" of the injectors so I can know how much extra pressure is left over before it hits the return lines (there is an orifice tee restrictor fitting past where I plan to install this second sending unit which will ensure that I see true pressure). That way, with the flip of a switch in the cab, I can check pressure at either location.

 

It looks like I will be able to fit the 2 gauges where the 4x4 switch would have been. I plan to run the oil down to the filter housing, and the fuel to the port behind the bowl. I'll need to order the adapter from itp.

I am hoping the oil pressure gauge will give me a better idea of then its time to change my oil. I still plan on every 5k though.

Once those are in, I will be out of room for gauges.

 

Nooo! Tell me it ain't so! There's always room for one more gauge! You just have to get more creative.

 

I just don't see an a-pillar or an over the mirror pod in my truck. Maybe the single gauge pod on the steering column. But I can't think of another gauge I'd want, oops, i mean need.

 

I know what you mean about the a-pillar. I had planned on investigation another creative option for the dash this weekend, but ended up replacing three toilets and having to remove a bathroom door and re-install it on the opposite side of the door frame, complete with hand mortised hinges. What I envision, though, is a single line of gauges across the top of the dash, but I want to do dash "surgery" and have them sort of protruding upwards, but yet be set back deep into their respective cubbie holes. I believe I can get at least 8-12 in a single line this way.

 

I got a mechanical dual gauge from Hewitt. 0-100 psi. I used the red needle for oil and I am putting the fuel in soon. It will use the white needle. I got an isolator from them as well. The gauge is in my a-pillar

 

Oh I jusy ordered the adapter from ITP. Thanx for the link F250_