How do I tell what I have?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 10
From: Great Falls Montana
How do I tell what I have?
I am a big fan of my 2001 V10. So I swapped some stuff for a 93 350 dually. The engine is said to have a cracked head that put oil into the water. It is currently not running. A mechanic said "its got a 6 liter Diesel and I have a pair of heads for it." VIN shows that it is supposed to have a 7.3 and I am a Diesel virgin so I have no idea what to look for or look out for, but if this mechanic doesn't know the difference I sure don't want him helping me.
I figure I better learn so Here are my beginning questions.
1. How can you tell the difference between the various engines.
2. What are the likely causes of oil in the radiator
3. If the heads are cracked how would you tell and how would you know which one to check.
4. What would be the reasonable cost to obtain a replacement head and install it.
5. What are the usual or known issues with this engine, would I be money ahead to convert it to a 460 (I have several already)
I figure I better learn so Here are my beginning questions.
1. How can you tell the difference between the various engines.
2. What are the likely causes of oil in the radiator
3. If the heads are cracked how would you tell and how would you know which one to check.
4. What would be the reasonable cost to obtain a replacement head and install it.
5. What are the usual or known issues with this engine, would I be money ahead to convert it to a 460 (I have several already)
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
I am a big fan of my 2001 V10. So I swapped some stuff for a 93 350 dually. The engine is said to have a cracked head that put oil into the water. It is currently not running. A mechanic said "its got a 6 liter Diesel and I have a pair of heads for it." VIN shows that it is supposed to have a 7.3 and I am a Diesel virgin so I have no idea what to look for or look out for, but if this mechanic doesn't know the difference I sure don't want him helping me.
I figure I better learn so Here are my beginning questions.
1. How can you tell the difference between the various engines.
2. What are the likely causes of oil in the radiator
3. If the heads are cracked how would you tell and how would you know which one to check.
4. What would be the reasonable cost to obtain a replacement head and install it.
5. What are the usual or known issues with this engine, would I be money ahead to convert it to a 460 (I have several already)
I figure I better learn so Here are my beginning questions.
1. How can you tell the difference between the various engines.
2. What are the likely causes of oil in the radiator
3. If the heads are cracked how would you tell and how would you know which one to check.
4. What would be the reasonable cost to obtain a replacement head and install it.
5. What are the usual or known issues with this engine, would I be money ahead to convert it to a 460 (I have several already)
- The 6.9 has smaller head bolts - Uses a 7/16-12point socket versus the 7.3's 1/2-12point socket.
- Oil in water could be many things, oil cooler is the most common.
- Rebuilt heads are ~$400
- 7.3's that are not maintained (coolant SCA's) get pinholes in the cylinder bores, Older 6.9's have Rocker Issues that are easy to resolve if done before issues.
fh : )_~
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 5
From: Sand GAp, KY
If it is an IDI 7.3 it will have an injection pump on the front top center of the engine. All the injection lines come out of this pump to the injectors. If it is a v6.0 stroke it will not this type pump on it. And if that mechanic don't know the difference then run run away as fast as you can!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
From: woodville, tx
I would also lean twords Festus thought of the Oil cooler... i seem to recall many times guys have had oily water, and it be that the cooler needed to be rebuilt.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
It should have a 7.3, but a 6.9 could have been swapped in. They look Identical except for the above mentioned head bolt sizes. The heads themselves will not swap between the two. I would suspect the oil cooler if you have oil in the coolant.
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Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
O-yea, the older 6.9 <1986 have a thinner block around the Freeze plug where the block heater is typically installed and are prone to cracking, the newer 6.9 >1985 have this problem resolved.
All in all, the 86 and up 6.9 is the best of the lot, thats not saying the rest are bad though.
Basically all the IDI's are good solid motors and have been known to run for over a half million miles! A 300k IDI is just getting broke in!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
All in all, the 86 and up 6.9 is the best of the lot, thats not saying the rest are bad though.
Basically all the IDI's are good solid motors and have been known to run for over a half million miles! A 300k IDI is just getting broke in!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 10
From: Great Falls Montana
Ok, Virgin question, what does IDI stand for. I understand it is pre-powerstroke I also see that the HP numbers are low compared to the 460. I have a love for the 460 but I really want to try my first oil burner so I am hoping that repair of this engine will be relatively inexpensive. I have an 85 with the 460 and it is a real freight hauler and my 2001 is my wife's dream highway cruiser. Not sure what I will do with this 93 till I get it running.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
Ok, Virgin question, what does IDI stand for. I understand it is pre-powerstroke I also see that the HP numbers are low compared to the 460. I have a love for the 460 but I really want to try my first oil burner so I am hoping that repair of this engine will be relatively inexpensive. I have an 85 with the 460 and it is a real freight hauler and my 2001 is my wife's dream highway cruiser. Not sure what I will do with this 93 till I get it running.
185 HP and 360ft lbs of torque if i remember correctly.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
460 from the 80's carburetor ones have 230HP. Don't know what the EFI ones have. Should be more.
The 460 is alot faster than these IDI's. As for towing, not much difference, but you'll burn twice more gas than what the IDI will doing the same jobs.
The 460 is alot faster than these IDI's. As for towing, not much difference, but you'll burn twice more gas than what the IDI will doing the same jobs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The oil fill spout goes into the IP drive gear cover.
If you are up looking down on the IP drive gear cover, just to the right (drivers side) of the cover there is a flat place on the block.
The block serial number is located on that flat place.
In the first group of numbers you should have either a 73 or 69.
Which ever you have will be what block you have.
If you are up looking down on the IP drive gear cover, just to the right (drivers side) of the cover there is a flat place on the block.
The block serial number is located on that flat place.
In the first group of numbers you should have either a 73 or 69.
Which ever you have will be what block you have.