Yes, just like the different numbers for manual trannies and automatics back through the 6.9 engine.

 

I have an 84 f-350 with the 6.9. I found a 7.3 idi complete truck. Can I take the turbo, injection pump and injectors and put on my 6.9 without any problems? Eventually I'm want to put a hypermax intercooler on.

 

welcome to FTE.
yes you can, the 6.9 and 73 IDI's are basically the same engines

 

I was just concerned about the head gaskets. Read somewhere the compression ratio is too high without head studs

 

If it's a stock turbo or one of the 'kits', they were designed for the lowest common denominator of a 6.9 with 7/16 head bolts. So you should be fine.
Of course, you /can/ blow a headgasket even without a turbo, due to age or improper assembly.

 

What's wrong with the 7.3 engine. It has stronger head bolts, and I think it has a bit lower compression. I had a 6.9 engine installed in my 1991 and I only run 5 lbs of boost. It helps a little, but not earth shaking. Dave Sponagle is the best on these engines. He says, don't let the EGT's get too high, so I backed off the injector pump and keep them at 700-800. The 6.9 has run good for the last 10 years. It has the standard head bolts. You will never out run anyone with an IDI unless you spend some serious cash.

 

I bought it not running. It has 350k+ miles. Only bought the truck for driveline parts. Figured since there's a turbo sitting there I might as well use it.

 

The 7.3L is basically just a bored out 6.9L. The "problem" is that the cylinder walls are reletively thin and can develop electrolysis/pitting through the cylinder wall from the water jacket.
7.3L Powerstrokes can do the same but seem to be less frequent.
It's preventable with addatives to keep the SCAs correct. BUT who knows how bad any given 7.3L already is???

 

The turbo will work fine. They start to sound really great at 2000 rpm.

 

Looking to swap an idi into my 79 f250 4x4, besides fuel line starter and hot wire to IP what else will I need to make it run?

 

Don't ask me, I'm not a mechanic. You may need heavier front springs. The lights in the dash are different. May could go by the way the amp meter works for the glow plugs. I think there would be lots of changes. If you are going to all that trouble, why not a Cummins 5.9, lots of power.
I joined this forum, because I bought this old super duty shortly after 2001. I think. It had a blown engine and the mechanic installed a 6.9. Its been running ever since, I made 3 trips from Florida to New Mexico. I still use it for a trash truck, because it has a dump bed. It has been fantastic, just slow.

 

not much else. hot wire to the fuel shutoff switch in the injector pump, power to the glow plugs, power to starter.
add a fuel return line back to the tank.
if you have a 4 speed in you79 you will need a 6.9 bellhousing or use the IDI 5 speed4X4 trans. if automatic trans, you will need an IDI automatic trans. the diesel uses a different bolt pattern than the gas trans.
as far as gauges go, pretty much everything in the truck will work, you will only need to add a glow plug "wait to start light" and add a diesel tach if you want to run a tach.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l-install.html

 

Thank you for all the information. I'll most likely use a zf.

 

I'm looking at a clean 25 foot 1983 Ford E350 based motorhome with IDE 6.9 with 186K.

I see it's as simple as to find a 7.3 idi complete donor truck to steal the turbo and parts from..

The description on the E350 motorhome says "Top speed is around 60mph but gets 12-15mpg".. So I'm guessing 60 mph in perfect no wind flat conditions.. And probably 35 mph up any decent grade..

What I'm wondering, is how much power and speed will I gain on this motorhome by adding the turbo and studs? Could I maintain 45-50 mph going up the Colorado Rockies? Would the top speed increase to 70 mph? Will the mpg increase if I stay at 60mph?

Thanks!