Looking for Some Sage Wisdom, 85 F250, 6.9IDI

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Posts
12,236
Reaction score
10,925
Location
edmond, ks
I'm going to put my transfer pump on a toggle switch and use it to fill the front tank when that gets low. My feed and return lines for the front tank are already there. I'll only need a feed line to the front tank. This way, if the transfer pump quits for some reason, I'll still be able to run off of the front tank.
 

Austin Centurion

Registered User
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Posts
38
Reaction score
16
Location
Oklahoma
I'm going to put my transfer pump on a toggle switch and use it to fill the front tank when that gets low. My feed and return lines for the front tank are already there. I'll only need a feed line to the front tank. This way, if the transfer pump quits for some reason, I'll still be able to run off of the front tank.

I get you now. I failed to factor in the idea that the transfer pump is an additional failure point. So I guess a 3-way/Y-Fitting would be a better option to have the engine return to the front tank and the transfer tank be able to pump in thru that.
So something more akin to this would be a viable solution:
You must be registered for see images attach


I got fed-up yesterday and finally ordered an anti-drainback valve. I'm sick and tired of having to prime/purge this thing every time I want to start it. I know it's cold right now, and these things do not like the cold, but damn is this thing just a pain. Glows are working, starter is strong, batteries are charged (having a working 3G charging system is amazing), but it just gives a couple of sputters at first and then it just cranks. Should I mount the valve close to the tank? Or close to the pump, before or after? I haven't been able to find any literature or images of where to install one of these things.

Eventually, I'll get the electric pump setup and make this thing a whole lot easier to deal with. I think stimulus money is going towards getting the brakes working though, then I'll worry about improving the fuel system.

@IDIBRONCO Do you, by-chance, know what the length is on your front parking brake cable for your 85 Ext. Cab? I want to get the parking brake working again when I get the brakes done.
 

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Posts
12,236
Reaction score
10,925
Location
edmond, ks
So something more akin to this would be a viable solution:
If I'm reading this right, it looks like you are wanting to run the transfer pump into the fuel return from the engine to dump it into the front tank. I wouldn't recommend doing that. Most likely, the higher pressure of the fuel coming from the transfer pump will cause the pressure in your engine return line to rise. I believe that too much return line pressure will actually cause your engine to stall and quit running. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here. I'm planning to put a fitting in the filler neck of the front tank and run my transferred fuel into it to get into the front tank. Some people say that it will cause air cavitation issues in the fuel tank and will make your lift pump draw air up to the engine. I ran the return this way on my Bronco and had no issues with it. Tome, this seems like the simplest way.

@IDIBRONCO Do you, by-chance, know what the length is on your front parking brake cable for your 85 Ext. Cab?
No I don't. I can't even measure it since I apparently broke my own rule of keeping a tape measure in each truck. Especially this one since I have my annual State Parks Pass on it to get into all Kansas State Parks for fishing. I can try to remember to get a measurement tomorrow, but I may not remember. Sorry. That's just being honest.
 

Austin Centurion

Registered User
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Posts
38
Reaction score
16
Location
Oklahoma
I didn't think about having the transfer dump in through the filler neck, but that seems like it would be easily doable. I've seen a few transfer tank companies that sell those universal kits to do just that, I just never thought about it myself.

Power steering is back in the truck, with new pump and hoses + an inline filter. Still have to get it bled completely, but I was fighting it to get it running today. Still working to resolve that little air intrusion issue. But I think I'm almost there. Just waiting for the new feed line from CDD and I think that'll resolve the matter, or at least help. I eventually want one of their rebuilt injection pumps, and a new set of injectors. They're just a little out of my budget for now, but I understand after reading their documentation that they go the extra step rebuild these DB2 pumps. I think with a rebuilt pump and new injectors this thing will run mint.

The anti-drainback is installed, but I don't think it was really an issue after all, I learned this by taking a diesel shower... again. I should just rename this truck R. Kelly, because it loves to **** on me. Or maybe I'm just asking for it with the things that I do.

I did get all the parts needed for the brakes on order, and I just got the notification today that they shipped. So I'm looking forward to helping the FedEx lady lug 5 boxes into the garage on Wednesday. I did end up finding out the correct length for the front parking brake cable after doing some digging on Gary's Garagemahal tonight, just based on the truck's wheelbase, I found the original part number, then used that to find some interchange parts that listed the length, 110 inches is what I found. So I'll get that on order as well sometime soon. It'll give me some peace-of-mind to have a functional parking brake if I can get that system sorted out.

2021 is off to a decent start for this truck, I hope that it continues to hold up.
 

Scotty4

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Posts
1,117
Reaction score
1,081
Location
Franklin County, Massachusetts
If I'm reading this right, it looks like you are wanting to run the transfer pump into the fuel return from the engine to dump it into the front tank. I wouldn't recommend doing that. Most likely, the higher pressure of the fuel coming from the transfer pump will cause the pressure in your engine return line to rise. I believe that too much return line pressure will actually cause your engine to stall and quit running. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here. I'm planning to put a fitting in the filler neck of the front tank and run my transferred fuel into it to get into the front tank. Some people say that it will cause air cavitation issues in the fuel tank and will make your lift pump draw air up to the engine. I ran the return this way on my Bronco and had no issues with it. Tome, this seems like the simplest way.

No I don't. I can't even measure it since I apparently broke my own rule of keeping a tape measure in each truck. Especially this one since I have my annual State Parks Pass on it to get into all Kansas State Parks for fishing. I can try to remember to get a measurement tomorrow, but I may not remember. Sorry. That's just being honest.
I run my rear thru a pump and into the return with a wye. I added two check valves there to prevent the return filling the rear and to prevent the pump from pressurizing the return. No issues on my cross country trip. I did locate the wye close to the tank connection as possible.
 

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Posts
12,236
Reaction score
10,925
Location
edmond, ks
Power steering is back in the truck, with new pump and hoses + an inline filter. Still have to get it bled completely, but I was fighting it to get it running today.
Sometimes the bleeding can seem quite simple, other times it's a royal pain. I replaced the high pressure line on a guy's 95 Dodge 3/4ton several years back. It took about two weeks of driving it to finally get all of the air bled out.
 

Austin Centurion

Registered User
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Posts
38
Reaction score
16
Location
Oklahoma
Well, I've got more good news. New front brakes are installed, got new rotors and bearings, some PowerStop extreme pads, and new hoses and misc hardware. And a new master cylinder. I also have all the parts on hand to do the drums, I just haven't been in the mood for that headache, and the weather hasn't been the most fun to wrench in.

Power steering is working flawlessly, although there is a tiny leak, gotta determine if its a seal in the box or if one of the fittings is loose.

It runs and drives now. Like a champ too. Tried it yesterday when I needed to move it, had to get the Mustang out of the garage. Let the glow plugs cook and she fired up on first crank. There was a problematic hole on the passenger side exhaust manifold flange, but I ran a tap through it (7/16-14) and then cinched it down with a new grade 8 from the hardware store. No more exhaust leak! This of course makes that piston slap noise a little louder when she's cold, but it cleans up a little once she's gotten some heat into her.

Took it for a spin around the neighborhood after getting the brakes done. And it drives like a good old farm truck. Really short gearing with those 4.10s. Has the old 6.9 in the bed, plus some other junk, so about 1000lbs of bed weight and it doesn't even feel like it. Love me some diesel torque. I want to go on and say that it rides nice and smooth, but it really doesn't. It feels like a tractor. But that's probably due from having the original shocks that it left the factory with at the end of 1984, and a broken leaf spring. But I'll get that fixed up eventually.

I'm getting the other 3 tires here soon too.

I replaced the front turn signal sockets this morning, they were so messed up. Both bulbs came apart when I tried to change them, after pulling out pieces I finally got the driver side clear, but there was a bit of corrosion and what appeared to be really chalky white lithium grease or something, and the new bulb never got that bright. New sockets off Amazon for about $8 each, and the new LED bulbs shine bright (I have a new flasher unit for LEDs installed already).

My next 2 projects involve getting the steering column cleaned up, need to get a new turn signal switch installed, and I'm going to replace the lock cylinder so I can have 2 keys for this thing. I'll replace the door locks a little later when I start to tackle those. And I figured I'd get rid of the old wheel for a Grant Challenger wheel. Not going to need the old cruise control, if it even still works. Or I'll rig up some dash switches in the future.

And I need to address the taillights as well. I'm going to get some new sockets for them, and rewire them back in, after getting rid of the birds nest of trailer wiring in the back. I've been studying up on the wiring diagram thanks to the manual I have, but I think it's going to be a lot done by getting in there and figuring out what's going on, because I still have no lights in the rear at all.
 

Austin Centurion

Registered User
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Posts
38
Reaction score
16
Location
Oklahoma
I know this thread seems pretty dead at this point. And I apologize for the lack of activity. But, I still have the truck, been driving it more lately, only around town and what not with her only really going about 50-55 with the gearing in her. All the fluids are now brand new, as I just recently changed out the diff oil. She's loyal as all hell and loves this warmer weather we've been getting. I did consider selling the truck for a while, to free up some space, but every time I drive it, I fall back in love with it. I don't think I'm ever going to fully restore the thing, I like the kinda rusty and crusty thing it has going for it, so I'll probably stick to little things like fixing up the doors, windows, and wiring. And I'll keep driving it to haul junk or pickup firewood. I also debated finding an old 460 core to play around with and potentially build a big stroker just for giggles, but the old diesel just keeps chugging along, so that'll be staying for some time.

I really appreciate all the help and support and guidance I've found through this thread and many others. You guys are awesome! Keep on chugging along, guys!
 

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Posts
12,236
Reaction score
10,925
Location
edmond, ks
I'm glad to hear that you're still liking the truck. They do have a way of growing on you. I think that you'd regret it if you ever sold and would probably be looking for another one shortly after that.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
91,217
Posts
1,128,519
Members
24,045
Latest member
Ramtough01

Members online

No members online now.
Top