Is this what I should expect (pulling up grade NA)

SLittle

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Truck: 1991 crew cab dually 7.3 NA with E4OD
Trailer: 5th wheel camper weighs in at about 7,000 loaded

Pulling up a 1/2 mile stretch that rises 200 feet - I believe that puts it at a 7% grade.

I'm in 2nd gear at 42 ish mph, pedal down around 3k rpm.

Engine temps did rise (factory gauge - I know!) and I just clicked on the engine light at the top of the hill. Soon as I crested and shifted temps fell back down.

So... is this about right for this truck? If this is expected then my plans to add a turbo are going to have to move up the priority list.
 

Thewespaul

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That sounds about right. Engine light probably came on from overtemp, I would get a real gauge on pronto. I’ve got a complete turbo kit ready to go for $850 btw ;)
 

SLittle

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That sounds about right. Engine light probably came on from overtemp, I would get a real gauge on pronto. I’ve got a complete turbo kit ready to go for $850 btw ;)

Oh, engine light was absolutely due to temperature. I need to install aftermarket gauge and investigate my fan clutch.

Does your kit include the transmission dip stick?
 

faaiish

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Yes, that is the about right. My 1989 F250 did about the same speed and RPM going up Sandstone mountain in WVa. about a month ago it is an 8% grade and is about 8 miles long. I was sort of amazed it was going that fast when I topped the mountain. Mine didn't overheat motor wise it overheated the fluid to the trans and the front pump seal started leaking. I realized it was time for a turbo and an updated E40D, mine was the original (my truck only has 118,000 miles on it). Just paid for the transmission now I am saving for the turbo.
 

Shadetreemechanic

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Make sure you have a good aftermarket transmission cooler. As posted above, your high temps could be engine or transmission related.
 

Thewespaul

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Oh, engine light was absolutely due to temperature. I need to install aftermarket gauge and investigate my fan clutch.

Does your kit include the transmission dip stick?
Doesn’t come with a dipstick, this came off a standard truck, it will all fit the same, you will just need to space the dipstick away from the turbo or find an oem idit dipstick tube. Some guys have even made their own.
 

faaiish

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Any recommendations on the trans cooler or should I start another post
 

vegas39

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I just pulled our new travel trailer to Parker AZ this last weekend and will say I’m not too impressed at all. The trailer weighs 9,000 pounds and I have a turbo. I replaced my radiator with a 3 row champion the day we left and the thing still ran waaaay too hot climbing grades. My wife wasn’t happy to say the least when everyone else was passing us on the road. Lol.
I mentioned buying a newer truck last week for towing but after our trip, I’m convinced it’s time to pass her on to my son.
I guess my point is, not sure if adding a turbo will get you where you want to be as far as happy with pulling power and not sure where you live but in southern Nevada heat, you can’t keep these things cool enough towing heavy loads.
 

Thewespaul

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I just pulled our new travel trailer to Parker AZ this last weekend and will say I’m not too impressed at all. The trailer weighs 9,000 pounds and I have a turbo. I replaced my radiator with a 3 row champion the day we left and the thing still ran waaaay too hot climbing grades. My wife wasn’t happy to say the least when everyone else was passing us on the road. Lol.
I mentioned buying a newer truck last week for towing but after our trip, I’m convinced it’s time to pass her on to my son.
I guess my point is, not sure if adding a turbo will get you where you want to be as far as happy with pulling power and not sure where you live but in southern Nevada heat, you can’t keep these things cool enough towing heavy loads.
I know it’s a bit of a drive, but if you bring your truck to me I can get it dialed in for you, an idi with a turbo tuned and running properly will laugh at 9k lbs. Something isn’t right if your truck is struggling that much with that load.
 

vegas39

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I know it’s a bit of a drive, but if you bring your truck to me I can get it dialed in for you, an idi with a turbo tuned and running properly will laugh at 9k lbs. Something isn’t right if your truck is struggling that much with that load.
I wish I could, just don’t know what to do.
Funny enough, I had the timing a tad low, fuel turned up and this thing ran like a ***** ape. I’ve always had past trucks more on the advanced side but this one worked great. When I bought the trailer, I turned the fuel down a bit and advanced the timing up to where you guys are probably all running.
I always thought towing and fuel turned up, were kind of a no go for pyro issues. On the longest grades, I was right at 900 degrees, which is fine because it never went higher. I think probably my biggest issue is, the timing isn’t perfectly dialed in. I’m still curios as to why it runs so hot on grades. On the flats and slight hills, it stayed cool, even in the scorching heat last weekend.
My other dilemma is having to keep OD shut off. 60 mph was screaming down the road
My timing is probably still a tad retarded but it’s not far off, I know that
 

Thewespaul

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Are you keeping it through the fall? I’ll be in Vegas for Sema this year. I like turbo IDIs a bit more retarded, 7-8* is pretty much the norm on a stock pump.
 

vegas39

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Are you keeping it through the fall? I’ll be in Vegas for Sema this year. I like turbo IDIs a bit more retarded, 7-8* is pretty much the norm on a stock pump.
Yes, keeping it. I’m giving it to my son next year when he starts driving. It’s too nice of a truck to get rid of.
So I was doing good running retarded before? I knew it drove nice, maybe I should have tried to pull the trailer before I messed with it. I’m gonna bump it back down. Should I turn the fuel back up again too?
 

no mufflers

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the fan clutch might be an issue. i have a summer fan and a cooler weather fan lol. one has a modded clutch to stay more engaged and also has thicker fan blades with more of a pitch to them. the other one is just a stock clutch and lighter fan.
 
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