Through all of the reading I have done, the "hutch" mod is a good thing to do and trucks that need it have a "sound" that clues you into needing to do the mod.

Can anyone explain this "sound"? Is it a ticking noise, almost like rocker arm noise? Is it a clacking, or a squeek?

please elaborate.

 

I don't know about a sound that indicates you need the mod. All stock systems need something done if you ask me due to aeration. I went with a sump myself.

Hutch folks can elaborate if they like, I'm bumping you, though I know the answer. Since I went another route, I will not say what it is reported to do.

 

The problem that the Hutch mod fixes is the air that is introduced into the fuel system from inside the tank. Pretty much all Superduty 7.3L's suffer from this problem, but the scale varies from truck to truck. Some suck in more air than others.

There are several points before the fuel pump where air can be introduced. Of course, excessive air is bad for power and the injectors, so it's always best to eliminate as much as possible. Trucks that have excessive air in the fuel will be noticeably louder than others. However, all PSD's knock, it's just the nature of the beast. They are noisy engines, and most people have a hard time figuring out what's normal, and what's not.

So whether or not your truck is making extra noise, it's still a good idea to modify the in-tank pickup assembly as well as eliminate the quick disconnect fittings between the tank and fuel pump. Ford finally figured out the issue after the 6.0L was introduced. Those trucks have a completely different pickup assembly inside the tank, and no mixing chamber.

 

I appreciate the effort on the reply, but I already did all of the reading on the mod I could find. I understand how and why it works. I need to know what kind of sound it makes.

Is it a clacking sound or a squeeky sound or a humming sound?

Someone has to be able to describe it.

 

Air causes more injector knock. So it's just a louder than normal knocking or clattering sound.

 

Our fuel rails do not have a return line. They dead head into the injectors so anything that you suck out of the tank has to go through the injectors and the engine. There is no specific knock, clack, squeak, hum, ping, clunk or bang. The 7.3 is a loud engine. Part of that noise (loudness) is the air you are pumping through your injectors with every (double) pulse. This air detracts from the overall volume of fuel you can jam into your cylinder for combustion and reduced the life of your injectors. By doing the "Hutch" mod you remove a lot of places that air is introduced into the system. These include:
The mixing chamber in the tank
The high suction point in the line (used as a backup in case the primary suction becomes clogged, but will suck in air if the fuel level gets too low)
Quick disconnects from the tank to the suction of the fuel pump
My rig is still by no means quiet, but I didn't buy a diesel to sneak around the neighborhood. I bought mine as a kit (a pre-pump in-tank mod kit from ITP Diesel) and have been very happy with the results. My rig is a little quieter, especially the first time I fire it up in the morning. I also installed a HP oil cross-connect at the same time and I think that helped too. Don't get me wrong, it's still loud, but definitely smoother. Every time I think my 7.3 is quiet, I end up at my dad's house for something. Once I hear his 6.6L Duramax I realize I still have a garbage truck...and I love it!!!

 

That's not entirely accurate, Brian. There is a return line from the fuel bowl, so not everything sucked up goes through the heads. BUT, anything that makes it past the bowl MUST go through the injectors. I have the DFA CCK installed, which basically takes the plugs out of the opposite ends of the heads and feeds it through an orifice back to the return line (aka "poor man's regulated return"). The combination of the Hutch, CCK, and HPX makes the motor nice & smooth. The engine used to dance around quite a bit in the bay at idle, but now it barely wiggles.

 

Thanks for the education. I was not aware of the fuel bown return. My engine never danced, except for a little bucking at startup. It is a little quieter and more smooth since the mods, but I don't think I'll be parking next to my front door any time soon (I leave early in the morning and the kids wake up if when I start my truck and drive off so I have to park down the street on work nights). A small price to pay for my 7.3

 

Yes, they are loud. I was checking some things with her running the other morning when my lil sis called me and was like "My GAWD!!! What is THAT?" I laughed and said "That's my truck." I know she looked like this ->

 

My mom complains to my dad that his truck is so loud (he's got an '06 D-Max which is pretty darn quiet if you ask me) until I come up for a visit!

 

Have you heard the 08s? In either Ford or Chevy flavors? Pretty much can't tell it's a diesel while idling unless you walk right up to it (or look for the DPF ).

 

...or see the Duramax badge on the ugliest hood line out there.

...or see the orange grill on the front quarter panel of the Super Duty.

Diesels that sound like gassers is the big selling point. No thanks. I'll take my garbage truck that I have to park down the street so I don't wake my kids up in the morning thank you!

I want people to know I'm rolling without spark plugs even after the badges fall off of my doors...

 

LOL.... What's funny is I park mine in my garage every night, and the noise hasn't come up at all (except once when I was leaving for a long drive at 3am and let it idle w/EBPV in Jan for 20 mins, outside of course ).