AltaPowder
Registered User
Hello all & thanks for all the intel on here. I am 2 years into my 'diesel education' with a 92 E350 4x4/Sidewinder with 182k miles.
It is my Lake Powell tow vehicle (from SLC) and puts up with big summer heat and climbs up to 7300 feet. On my biggest climb
(20 minutes) I can see 10 psi boost and 1100 degrees. If I slow to 50/55 boost drops to 8 psi & temps reduce to 900/950 and I am perhaps more comfortable there than the truck. This passes the 'smell test ' for OK to me. I've overhauled the cooling system, PS system, replaced a single glow plug and controller and had the local Ford shop build up a billet torque convertor transmission for the job at hand. I installed a new TPS as a precaution. It's a 12mpg machine but 65 to 75mph is the rate of travel. I use OptiLube to add lubricity and do an annual oil change, (3k miles +/-), non synthetic. The fuel filter access on this is a unbelievable PITA . . .
It looks to me, based on the patina of the engine and fuel delivery components to be original - - is this possible or probable?
The van is a pretty nice conversion van with it's previous life (& miles) in Nevada. I think it was a people hauler with perhaps light towing. Would the pump OR injectors been replaced with the Sidewinder installation ? If so I can determine a time & mileage 'fencepost' from Banks I suspect.
I am considering a O/H of the fuel system this winter and ponder at what benefits I can expect as well as what pitfalls exist. The
van starts, runs, tows and drives fine. I have what looks light light blue 'oil burning' at start from cold and the bluish tint to the exhaust diminishing as the van increases in temperature. In park, warmed up a had romp on the throttle it will produce a brief output of bluish smoke with the rapid throttle reduction. When I am towing I have no visual evidence (out the mirror) of bluish 'oil smoke' and I get acceptable black smoke relative to how much of a lug (3 to 5 psi of boost) is at play.
I do not want to sacrifice any reliability but I would like to optimize it's capabilities. I have read about BB Injectors and Moose Misters
and increased capabilities of Injector Pump rebuilds. I want QUALITY work and do not want to do this job more than once.
Does anyone know of a aftermarket (NEW - aluminum ?) radiator that fits this van. A reduction in heat is always a benefit.
This engine compartment is unbelievable in it's 'busy-ness' and I would prefer to do the removal and reinstallation myself. I have found little enthusiasm to work on this van/7.3 combination. There is a eBay Seller that offers a 'overhaul' of the existing Glow Plug Harness with New (improved) connectors, wiring repair and abrasion/heat shielding for $40/50 - this seem like a worthy consideration for sure.
I welcome any and all advice.
Regards, David
It is my Lake Powell tow vehicle (from SLC) and puts up with big summer heat and climbs up to 7300 feet. On my biggest climb
(20 minutes) I can see 10 psi boost and 1100 degrees. If I slow to 50/55 boost drops to 8 psi & temps reduce to 900/950 and I am perhaps more comfortable there than the truck. This passes the 'smell test ' for OK to me. I've overhauled the cooling system, PS system, replaced a single glow plug and controller and had the local Ford shop build up a billet torque convertor transmission for the job at hand. I installed a new TPS as a precaution. It's a 12mpg machine but 65 to 75mph is the rate of travel. I use OptiLube to add lubricity and do an annual oil change, (3k miles +/-), non synthetic. The fuel filter access on this is a unbelievable PITA . . .
It looks to me, based on the patina of the engine and fuel delivery components to be original - - is this possible or probable?
The van is a pretty nice conversion van with it's previous life (& miles) in Nevada. I think it was a people hauler with perhaps light towing. Would the pump OR injectors been replaced with the Sidewinder installation ? If so I can determine a time & mileage 'fencepost' from Banks I suspect.
I am considering a O/H of the fuel system this winter and ponder at what benefits I can expect as well as what pitfalls exist. The
van starts, runs, tows and drives fine. I have what looks light light blue 'oil burning' at start from cold and the bluish tint to the exhaust diminishing as the van increases in temperature. In park, warmed up a had romp on the throttle it will produce a brief output of bluish smoke with the rapid throttle reduction. When I am towing I have no visual evidence (out the mirror) of bluish 'oil smoke' and I get acceptable black smoke relative to how much of a lug (3 to 5 psi of boost) is at play.
I do not want to sacrifice any reliability but I would like to optimize it's capabilities. I have read about BB Injectors and Moose Misters
and increased capabilities of Injector Pump rebuilds. I want QUALITY work and do not want to do this job more than once.
Does anyone know of a aftermarket (NEW - aluminum ?) radiator that fits this van. A reduction in heat is always a benefit.
This engine compartment is unbelievable in it's 'busy-ness' and I would prefer to do the removal and reinstallation myself. I have found little enthusiasm to work on this van/7.3 combination. There is a eBay Seller that offers a 'overhaul' of the existing Glow Plug Harness with New (improved) connectors, wiring repair and abrasion/heat shielding for $40/50 - this seem like a worthy consideration for sure.
I welcome any and all advice.
Regards, David