I'm starting maintenance work on my new to me 1993 F250 4X4 7.3 IDI
and, I'll be depending on this truck for the next few months on a trailer towing road trip.

As I've been lurking around this site I've noticed some of the common problems and herd about a few tools/ gauges I might want in my tool box to keep the truck happy.

A pyrometer and a transmission temperature gauge seem necessary, as does a fuel pressure tester. I ran a couple of searches for the fuel pressure tester and they seem real simple and real expensive.

I just made myself a brake bleeder pump to flush my breaks, so I was wondering if any one here has made a fuel pressure tester.

And what are other tools I might want for my diesel?

I am a fair gas engine mechanic so I have most of the common tools, i.e. compression tester, voltmeter, snap ring pliers and the ubiquitous sockets and wrenches but, what else should I have?

 

You will need a compression tester for a diesel engine if you want to perform a test on these engines.

 

All you need for fuel pressure is a pressure/vacuum guage about $25 at autozone.

 

You will need the tools to take the front spindle nuts off if you do anything with front axle. Best to have those in advance, but you can rent them usually for about $10. I bought my kit for $60 from Schuck's.

If you have a factory turbo and want to test your waste gate actuation pressures, you will need to make a pump and pressure gauge rig. I used a mountain bike shock pump and some fittings and a gauge from the hardware store to make mine.

It sounds like you have an auto trans. You will need a code reader to get any trouble codes out of the E4OD computer.

You will need a big wrench to take the fan off if you need to do that. Most guys seem to fabricate one.

Beyond that I can't think of anything special.

 

depends how indepth you want to get like setting the timing and and stuff too.

 

Injector bore ream, IP nut wrench, 5/8" flair claw foot, and a 5/8" flair nut wrench.

That's all I can think of off hand.

 

Well I am and will be the primary mechanic on this truck.... Right now I'm just trying to get oriented to the diesel and prepare it and me for a long trip next month.

I can set the timing in most older gas engines by ear.... How would you prepare your toolbox for a long trip away from home? Would you need or want timing tools in the bush?

I can see the rational for injector reamers and the special wrenches for them. I can see the need for fuel pressure tester and vacuum tester as well as voltmeter and the regular wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and allen wrenches. These all seem like normal everyday diagnostic and repair tools.

I am changing all the fluids and lubricating everything I can, but what will keep me running that I should have in my portable toolbox? And what are the mandatory special tools for the 7.3??? Would you say the trimming tool is one or can that be done by hand or ear?

You see, collectively you guys have a lot of wrench time on these old IDI diesels. I know gas engines but am new to diesels, so it's your opinion that really maters here. Then I'll filter through what you give me as I gain experience preparing for this trip.

 

The only thing I always make sure I have is a 5/16 12 point socket for removing the Injection pump, all the other common stuff you will have to do on the road is servicable by regular tools. I go everywhere in these trucks, I have a good tool kit with all the basics, plenty of sockets and open ends, I can't think of anything special though.

 

The bore ream, IP wrench, timing tools are not common tools that every shade tree will have.
Ford Rotunda has a specialized tool kit, includes special service tools including the Bore Ream IP Wrench etc., and a timing meter for the IDI's.
You can time them with a conventional light, and special $$ adapters.

The used to be rare outside of a Ford Dealer. But there were a rash of them on eBay in the past. Seems Ford considered them obsolete tools for their Techs and liquidated them out of their service bays.

I bought mine years ago for $75. Seems they demand a higher price these days.

 

Sounds prefect, and just as it looks like I may be doing a R&R on my IP.... I'll search for, Ford IDI tools or Ford Rotunda Tool Kit or Ford IDI Diesel Tools and see what comes up.

 

Here's one part of the special service tool kit> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...51310005r20987