I've been shopping for a diesel ford for a while since i sold my lifted 88 gasser. I know that ford changed from IDI to Computer controlled in 1994.5(is that correct) and the earlier engines were naturally aspirated from the factory, but some dealerships added turbos. Is this information correct?

What is the difference between IDI and Electronic (?mechanical connection to the injector pump vs. electronic? How does that work?)

Thanks alot for the help... Im new to oil burners, just a kid tryin to survive the used vehicle game and fuel prices?

Any imput or info would be greatly appreciated!

 

Turbo's were a factory option on some of the last IDI motors. It wasn't a dealership add-on.

The difference between a mechanical motor and power stroke is night and day.

The electronic motors have "computers" that controlled the engine. These motors that Ford used early on used high pressure oil to create injection pressure. Basically oil went through the injector and when the ECM wanted that particular cylinder to fire it closed a valve that wouldn't allow the high pressure oil to pass through. That redirected the oil which pushed on an intensifier piston and injected fuel. The ECM's take inputs from pressure and speed sensors so it knows when to fire each cylinder. That is pretty simple process. Most use a 5 volt reference signal to each sensor. As pressure or temp changes the resistance changes which changes the amount of voltage that is returned to the ECM. It takes take those numbers and ,basically, match them up to a "chart" or algorithm.

These mechanical engines are what is called a "pump and line" engine. They have an injection pump that creates the injection fuel pressure and it is sprayed into each cylinder through injection nozzles.

There are mechanical engines that have unit injectors but none are, or have ever been in a light duty pick-up. Factory option anyway.

 

Factory turbo IDI's were produced in 93&94. In 94.5 they went to the PowerStroke. IDI's have all mechanical fuel system with injection pump and hard lines to injectors. PowerStrokes have the fuel rails in the heads and injectors under the valve covers which are activated by high pressure oil and a computer.

 

The earlier mechanical engines (IDI) have much simpler injectors than the Powerstroke engines from 94.5 on.

IDI injectors about $35 each (need 8). Powerstroke injectors, being much more complex are also significantly more expensive at around $200 each (again need 8).

Given that injectors need to be changed about every 100,000 miles, if you go for a Powerstroke you will want to know the last time the injectors were changed.

The IDI engines are not computer controlled, and thus not able to take advantage of the computer tuners that are all the rage now. That does not mean that they don't make good power (especially with a few mods), but it does mean you have to actually use tools to tune them.

 

powerstroke injectors do not need to be changed at 100k they only need replacing when water in fuel damage them
i have seen many with 300k still going strong
it all depends on the vehicles maintenance
the valve cover gaskets with internal wire loom are a different story though

 

thanks so much guys, makes sense to me

 

Real tools? ... You mean we can actually do mechanicing on it? ... Just like the olde days? ...


*Pines over the olde days of rotors, condensers and coils*

 

Just like the old days, adjusting the power output of an IDI requires the use of Go Jo or some other hand cleaner.

No plug in a chip or push a button adjustment.
Also since the IDI is almost the forgotten diesel that started it all, you will also be fabricating some of your own parts, just like the old days.

Bolt on HP parts are almost non existant.
So you manufacture your own or adapt parts from other vehicles.

 

SOme of us wish we had time, tools, space to work and know how to do this......oh yeah and the obvious.....$$$$$

 

You can turbo an IDI ...

I wonder if it would make much difference if you opened up the ports a bit and used bigger valves ...

I would think that changing the compression might have a possible bad effect on its operation ...

Twin turbos? ... hrmmmmmmmmm ...







*wanders off muttering*

 

Turbo is an excellent choice for more power.
Porting can help some, port matching the intake and exhaust manifolds can also help some.
Bigger valves, not to much room for them to get much bigger.



Big boost, twin turbos, the IDI's high compression is working against you on that unless you drop the base compression some.