6.9 & 7.3 IDI Commandment Lists - IDI Do’s and Don’ts

[stick_witch]

So, I thought this could be a fun/informative thread for everyone, new and seasoned here on this forum, to view and to share their IDI experience.

The question is, what are your guys’ set of IDI commandments? Aka your do’s and don’ts?

Make them informative, make them funny, whatever you want! Leave em down below!


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[Golden Helmet]

Do:

• Only use ZD9 glow plugs
• Change the oil
• Spend the rest of your money fixing the truck, not the engine

Don't:

• Look at the return lines, or else they will leak
• Buy Autolite glow plugs
• Mix ether and glow plugs
• Put gas in it
• Expect to pass anyone

 

[Detroit80]

Don't....buy the stupid thing to begin with. God, I wish I would have just held out for a 460 truck...

Actually, it hasn't been THAT bad since I figured out that I was a dumb-**** that should have just replaced the damn air filter, but it's still been an expensive pain in the back side to deal with, lol.

 

[frankenwrench]

Don't take it to a shop that isn't known for dealing with these old beasts! Told my buddy I think he has a bad injector and instead of coming by my house(20 min drive) he took it to ford (1 hour drive) and the ****** there came out with a obd2 scanner and wasted half an hour looking for somewhere to plug it in on a 92 f350 idi. Claimed he was the head tech and he knew there was one on it somewhere or it wouldn't have run long enough to get it were it was. Then charged him 609 bucks to replace the one injector after claiming he found the obd2 and that's how he knew which one to replace with a bs Delphi injector and now it sounds even worse and took two days to "fix it". My buddy threatened to toss thermite at the truck till I educated him some on the truck and now he has a used set of bb code injectors and the thing sounds great! But ford knows best....

 

[Philip1]

Do: Only use quality injector pumps and injectors

Don't: get parts store or other cheap replacements.

 

[Scotty4]

Do:
-Get quality gauges for best diagnostics
-monitor coolant and oil use
-attempt to allow cold advance to shut off prior to driving
-use scas/dcas
-use fuel additive

Don't:
-use suitcase crimps or wire nuts
-Ignore new noises and expect a shakey truck to not loosen a bolt or wear through a wire/hose

 

[frankenwrench]

Do:
-Get quality gauges for best diagnostics
-monitor coolant and oil use
-attempt to allow cold advance to shut off prior to driving
-use scas/dcas
-use fuel additive

Don't:
-use suitcase crimps or wire nuts
-Ignore new noises and expect a shakey truck to not loosen a bolt or wear through a wire/hose

I am not trying to argue the use of sca or dca, additives are very crucial and IMHO required. But what is the downfall of instead using elc? Again, not a topic of debate, but I do want the facts. If I'm doing something wrong I need to know

 

[Clb]

Do realize why navistar developed the psd.
Do remember the recollections of guys turning 500k, my bud Sam for one.
Do use a meter on the timing.

DON'T be THAT guy!

 

[Scotty4]

I am not trying to argue the use of sca or dca, additives are very crucial and IMHO required. But what is the downfall of instead using elc? Again, not a topic of debate, but I do want the facts. If I'm doing something wrong I need to know

I used ELC in mine and measure it woth test strips to help maintain everything appropriate using the ford scas. Maybe I am doing something wrong? Haha

 

[miles1400]

do:
check the oil once a week
try to get the maintenance records from previous owner
use a ford FL-1995 oil filter
use fuel additives, especially anti gel stuff in winter
get up a little earlier in the winter so you can let the truck warm up on high idle before you leave for work or school
use the butterfly/wing/vent windows, your truck has them so use them, they are better than AC in my opinion
if your truck has a bench seat, use the seat on date night
always open the truck door for your date or girlfriend (if you are lucky enough to have a girlfriend)

don't:
use autozone parts, ever
use the tilt column, thats how you break ignitions
rely on the block heater to get the truck started, you cant plug the truck in when its in the middle of a parking lot
expect to impress your buddies with your dyno sheet

 

[Detroit80]

use the butterfly/wing/vent windows, your truck has them so use them, they are better than AC in my opinion

Sure...if you're a *********. Come down here to Phoenix in the middle of July when it's 115*F outside, and your truck has been baking in the sun for the past 8 hours...the thermometer inside the cab reads 145*...you'll dread just touching the door handle, or the steering wheel. Then go sit in bumper to bumper traffic on the blacktop, with your wing windows open...and tell me that it's still better than AC

 

[6T9burner]

Sure...if you're a *********. Come down here to Phoenix in the middle of July when it's 115*F outside, and your truck has been baking in the sun for the past 8 hours...the thermometer inside the cab reads 145*...you'll dread just touching the door handle, or the steering wheel. Then go sit in bumper to bumper traffic on the blacktop, with your wing windows open...and tell me that it's still better than AC

I'm dying reading this. I'm a bit south of Tucson. Summer time, going back and forth, it gets brutal if you have no A/C. First time I drove my old CJ7 (hard top and hard doors, at the time) from Cali to Tucson. I swear PHX was hotter than going through the dunes (summer time mind you). For some reason I kept hearing Christmas music in July... chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

 

[Cubey]

don't:
rely on the block heater to get the truck started, you cant plug the truck in when its in the middle of a parking lot

I can

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[miles1400]

detroit80, here in eastern PA we rarely see 100, it is in the 90s in the summer time but i still prefer butterfly windows over AC, even though my truck does have freezing cold ac

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

Besides the wisdom above, I'll add--

Do:

• Turbo, charge air cooling, max IP
• 38 gallon fuel tank mod
• Re-torque head bolts
• Keep old iron on the road
• Learn to wrench on your own rig, it's rewarding and fun.
• Smile and wave at the Prius driver's that hate you.

Don't:

• Roll coal (yeah I said it)
• Take your rig to the stealership
• Maintain over 1150°F on the pyro
• Neglect your cowl seal! (If N/A. This can hydro-lock your engine. One more reason for a turbo!)