First things first.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 115
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From: Georgetown Tx
First things first.
Just got a 91 7.3. 5 sp. Been looking at new post and old ones, now I just need to ask: what are some of the first things ya'll would do to an older stock motor 250k. Will be a semi daily driver and hopefully a lot of fun.
Change fluids? Clean the injectors? (saw a post about using atf)
What kind of air intake? Ram air? Decent cold air intake... Pyrometer?
Its hell learning about new stuff at 50. (thats years, not mph.. lol)
Jery
Change fluids? Clean the injectors? (saw a post about using atf)
What kind of air intake? Ram air? Decent cold air intake... Pyrometer?
Its hell learning about new stuff at 50. (thats years, not mph.. lol)
Jery
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines
I assume you've just bought it, with unknown previous owner since you weren't specific...
First thing I would do is check the CDR valve. Clean it and check for proper function.
Then, I would put an oil pressure gauge on it. I don't trust the older factory idiot lights.
It doesn't hurt to add some ATF or other light oil to the fuel. Diesel injector pumps and injectors have extremely tight tolerances, and the extra oil helps. Diesel already has oil in it, but an older diesel has had some wear so the tolerances aren't as tight.
As far as changing anything like fuel injectors, etc, I would wait and see how it runs.
I would change every filter on it and just drive it easy, no longer trips, until you are more comfortable with it's condition.
First thing I would do is check the CDR valve. Clean it and check for proper function.
Then, I would put an oil pressure gauge on it. I don't trust the older factory idiot lights.
It doesn't hurt to add some ATF or other light oil to the fuel. Diesel injector pumps and injectors have extremely tight tolerances, and the extra oil helps. Diesel already has oil in it, but an older diesel has had some wear so the tolerances aren't as tight.
As far as changing anything like fuel injectors, etc, I would wait and see how it runs.
I would change every filter on it and just drive it easy, no longer trips, until you are more comfortable with it's condition.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,347
Likes: 803
From: Mi'kma'ki
inspect your battery cables and all contact points.replace and or clean up where required.
diesels need to spin fast and furious to start good.
check the coolant.make sure its clean and has proper levels of SCA's.
read.read.and search,then read some more.lot's of great info here.
keep note every 100k miles is recommended diesel tune up time.
this means ip and injectors.so if they're old...check your fuel economy and performance.
this will set ya back some,but nothing compared to newer diesels,and keeping them fresh will help insure $ not wasted out the tail pipe.
diesels need to spin fast and furious to start good.
check the coolant.make sure its clean and has proper levels of SCA's.
read.read.and search,then read some more.lot's of great info here.
keep note every 100k miles is recommended diesel tune up time.
this means ip and injectors.so if they're old...check your fuel economy and performance.
this will set ya back some,but nothing compared to newer diesels,and keeping them fresh will help insure $ not wasted out the tail pipe.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 149
From: Higginsville, MO
be advised i would assume this is your first diesel but ATF is red.... Farm Diesel is red and very very illegal to run in road vehicles.... just by the 5 dollar bottle of Diesel Kleen thats what its meant for is to clean injectors and pumps better safe than sorry
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown Tx
thanks yall.
this is my first diesel truck (tractors dont count).
Your advice gets me a good start. I apppreciate it.
It has a new IP, coolant and sca's were just done...
every other liquid is going though!
The first start of the morning has been a bear though, so I suspect
gp's. But as its only 80 in the morning, it hasnt been too big of an issue.
Its got hot batteries, big cables and clean posts. Hope to keep them that way!
I'll be around, thanks again. Jery
this is my first diesel truck (tractors dont count).
Your advice gets me a good start. I apppreciate it.
It has a new IP, coolant and sca's were just done...
every other liquid is going though!
The first start of the morning has been a bear though, so I suspect
gp's. But as its only 80 in the morning, it hasnt been too big of an issue.
Its got hot batteries, big cables and clean posts. Hope to keep them that way!
I'll be around, thanks again. Jery
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Do a Glow Plug test ...
*** Glow Plug Test. ***
Test light test of the glow plugs:
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
*** Glow Plug Test. ***
Test light test of the glow plugs:
- Unplug the Glow Plugs.
- Attach one end of a test light to 12v+ battery.
- Touch the other end to the terminal on the end of the Glow Plug (where you unplugged the harness)
Does it light up?- Yes, Chances are it's good.
- No, Replace with Motorcraft/Beru ZD1A for 83-86, ZD9 for 87-94.5.
To do a positive test use a volt/ohm meter and test the ohms between the terminal and base. Should be .5 to 1 ohm resistance.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
Another tip I love is use the Powerstroke oil filter (FL1995), it holds an extra quart and has a finer micron rating. Also I recommend filling the oil filter 90% full before installing because I've seen some older motors run as long as 30 seconds before the oil pressure built back up.
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