Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

compression test with weird results

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 21, 2009 | 05:19 PM
  #1  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
compression test with weird results

I have a 95 f-350 7.3 that the engine was shot so i got a 97 psd to swap i got it in and had a bunch of switching parts over and such to get everything to work. I rebulit injectors new glow plugs, icp, pretty much everything but the internals. I didnt pull the heads but was out of a running van that had 130k "so he says ha" I got it in and all hooked up and after bleeding everything it fired and ran good but i noticed a slight tic out of the drivers valve cover but nothing abnormal really. No colored smoke out of the exhaust everything seemed good. Revs up good also. But to confirm everything was good inside the engine i bought a compression test from napa and i tried it today the first cylinder was 200 psi and the next 4 i tested were 0 psi so i didnt even try the others. Im not sure but i think the gauge must be shot since it runs fine but the test would make u think otherwise. I didnt drive it on road yet since front end is still off. You guys have any thoughts.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2009 | 06:27 PM
  #2  
jeep1947's Avatar
jeep1947
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Jeffersonville IN
Club FTE Silver Member

Did u get a gage that is good for at least 400psi? If not u probably blew the gage. Most used PS engines will be above 300-350 psi. U need a compression gage for diesels due to the higher compression ratio. Think the Power Stroke is line 17to1 ratio.Hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2009 | 06:54 PM
  #3  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
Yes its a 1000psi guage just bought it this morning at napa and just to fit the 6.9 and 7.3 diesels. Darn set cost 130.00
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2009 | 07:54 AM
  #4  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by wheelie31
so i got a 97 psd to swap i got it in and had a bunch of switching parts over and such to get everything to work. I rebulit injectors new glow plugs, icp, pretty much everything but the internals. I didnt pull the heads but was out of a running van that had 130k "so he says ha"
Which inj's did you reman? Your's or the donor? (95-97)

Bill
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2009 | 10:10 AM
  #5  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
I used the 97 injectors, i was worried the injector module would be diff but i guess not if the truck started.
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2009 | 12:05 PM
  #6  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
The 97 inj's are splitshot.(97 E-series)
The 95 inj's are singleshot.
IDM's work in all the 7.3's

Bill
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2009 | 03:20 PM
  #7  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
The engine was out of a 97 e350 van, its a 96 production date on the engine though, does any of this make a differance? All i know is theres alot differant from the van engine to a truck engine i had a lot of switching over to do.
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2009 | 11:29 PM
  #8  
strokin'_tatsch's Avatar
strokin'_tatsch
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
i would say your guage busted. not sure what brand that guage was, but i would get a snap on compression tester or something like that. surely it has to have plenty of compression if it runs good and doesn't miss out real bad. 4 dead holes would make for a very bad running, missing engine
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 23, 2009 | 07:01 AM
  #9  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by wheelie31
The engine was out of a 97 e350 van, its a 96 production date on the engine though, does any of this make a differance?
Yes.
You are running split inj's on single programming (pcm).
Did you also remove the fuel damper?
"damper is mounted between the fuel pump and heads"

Bill
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2009 | 08:20 AM
  #10  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
Bill thanks for helping, I dont believe i removed the fuel damper since i dont really know what it is ha. As far as the pcm is it ok to leave the computer in or what should i do get a 97 pcm? my trucks a 5 speed does that make a differace in the pcm from a van that would be auto? thanks Phil
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2009 | 01:26 PM
  #11  
strokin'_tatsch's Avatar
strokin'_tatsch
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
5 speed PCMs have different fueling characteristics so i would get a PCM for a '97 w/ a 5 speed. the 5 speed PCM is programmed so that when you start letting off the clutch it will fuel the truck a little so you can take off at idle without giving it any go pedal.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2009 | 05:43 PM
  #12  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
So does all 97s have split shot if i get a pcm from a 97 pickup? will this make the truck run different, i havent started it alot of times yet but the couple times i did i had to warm the glow plugs a bunch of times before it fired,Will this diff pcm make so differance? the glow plugs and relay are brand new to.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2009 | 08:21 PM
  #13  
wheelie31's Avatar
wheelie31
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: pennsburg Pa
just an update i should not have a fuel damper since i replaced the fuel pump and was the exact same as my 95's should i pull the valve covers to confirm i have split shot or single shot injectors?
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:29 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE