Just started my 7.3* build

Farmer Rock · Mar 1, 2021

Buffetkiller said:
Thanks for the fuel line help. I was trying a drop of motor oil on the fitting and that wasn't working.

As for the glow plugs I already bought them so oh well I guess... how to do they "swell"?

They last a month if your lucky, then the tips swell up and break off in the engine. You will have to remove the heads to get them out. Like others said, there is no exception, use only motorcraft ZD9s. IIRC, they are the same cost as the autolites.
The return line hoses can be a real pain, but what I have found to work best, is make the whole return line rail up out of the truck, then just slide the caps on, and not worry about trying to get the hoses jiggled on.

Rock

Buffetkiller · Mar 1, 2021

Farmer Rock said:
They last a month if your lucky, then the tips swell up and break off in the engine. You will have to remove the heads to get them out. Like others said, there is no exception, use only motorcraft ZD9s. IIRC, they are the same cost as the autolites.
The return line hoses can be a real pain, but what I have found to work best, is make the whole return line rail up out of the truck, then just slide the caps on, and not worry about trying to get the hoses jiggled on.

Rock

Thankyou for actually explaining the issue with the glow plugs. I will get some FOMOCO ones when I can. I don't want to remove the motor again! Just wasted $85!

I did want to add a tip/bad experience, I found the way the OG book tells you too reseal the oil cooler is backwards. It says to put the small o-ring into the "header" (which is the part you put bolts through/mount oil filter too) then press together. I did that and cut all the smaller o rings that came in my gasket kit. When I put the o-ring on the tube ends it pressed together nice and smooth no issues.

May have been random but when I put them into the header I pressed it together and it got very hard then.....POP it would seat and I pulled it right apart, it was cut.

Farmer Rock · Mar 1, 2021

Buffetkiller said:
Thankyou for actually explaining the issue with the glow plugs. I will get some FOMOCO ones when I can. I don't want to remove the motor again! Just wasted $85!

I did want to add a tip/bad experience, I found the way the OG book tells you too reseal the oil cooler is backwards. It says to put the small o-ring into the "header" (which is the part you put bolts through/mount oil filter too) then press together. I did that and cut all the smaller o rings that came in my gasket kit. When I put the o-ring on the tube ends it pressed together nice and smooth no issues.

May have been random but when I put them into the header I pressed it together and it got very hard then.....POP it would seat and I pulled it right apart, it was cut.

No problem :Thumbs Up

You should be able to return the autolites. When I first got into IDIs, I made the same mistake and bought the autolites (from napa) I put them in, then heard how bad they are. I never actually used the plugs since at that time my harness was bad, so I took all the GPs out and cleaned them up real good with a wire brush and sand paper, and napa took them back. If you actually used them, they probably won't take them back.

Rock

homelessduck · Mar 1, 2021

Farmer Rock said:
No problem
You should be able to return the autolites. When I first got into IDIs, I made the same mistake and bought the autolites (from napa) I put them in, then heard how bad they are. I never actually used the plugs since at that time my harness was bad, so I took all the GPs out and cleaned them up real good with a wire brush and sand paper, and napa took them back. If you actually used them, they probably won't take them back.

Rock

I did the same thing on my first IDI. I fired it up ONCE and went inside. Then I read about them and pulled them immediately and some were already swollen.

Buffetkiller · Mar 1, 2021

Problem is I threw the boxes away. I'm pretty tight with my Napa homies though so they might take them back.

Just called the dealership and zd9s are 18$/plug! Might have to look online....

nitroguy · Mar 1, 2021

Yeah, check online. Or O'Reilly's sells them for about $11 a plug, if I recall.

Buffetkiller · Mar 1, 2021

Just got my intake all ready for new piping. Waiting on ordered parts!

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IDIBRONCO · Mar 1, 2021

nitroguy said:
Yeah, check online. Or O'Reilly's sells them for about $11 a plug, if I recall.

I'm pretty sure that's what I paid for them the last time I ordered from there. I ordered some ZD1A's a while back on Ebay for $6.99 each. I got four and the total was $32.43. They said Beru and "made in Germany" on them, but at that price, I'm not quite convinced that they're not Chinese copies.

Farmer Rock · Mar 1, 2021

I got my last set from rock auto for $10 a plug. not that much of a difference, but rock auto has pretty good service, and you know what your getting.

Rock

Buffetkiller · Mar 2, 2021

if I was to attempt the rear main seal do I absolutely need the tool that is specified in the directions?

IDIBRONCO · Mar 2, 2021

Buffetkiller said:
if I was to attempt the rear main seal do I absolutely need the tool that is specified in the directions?

No. I've never used a special tool to replace the rear main seal. The only exception would be the ones that come with a plastic installation sleeve. You do need to use that sleeve.

IDIBRONCO · Mar 3, 2021

IDIBRONCO said:
No. I've never used a special tool to replace the rear main seal. The only exception would be the ones that come with a plastic installation sleeve. You do need to use that sleeve.

I did forget to add that I always remove the rear cover plate when I install a new rear seal. I've never tried it without removing the plate. I have changed out a few front seals without removing the front plate. It's not fun, but I didn't use the special tool for that either.

Buffetkiller · Mar 4, 2021

I did the rear main just as the book said. The one I pulled out was flush to the outside. Old one was installed wrong.

Learned a very expensive lesson. always pull your torque converter before pulling the motor! i broke my input shaft for the converter. Now I have to pull that too.

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Buffetkiller · Mar 6, 2021

Im in need of a engine wiring harness diagram. If anyone has one that would be sweet!

Buffetkiller · May 13, 2021

Got my 6.9 back from the tranny shop(expensive mistake!).

All the work i have done has made this thing run way smoother and feel more healthy. The new heads make the truck not sound like theres gravel in the motor.

I would still be willing to get a new IP and intercool it though. I really enjoyed the parts i got from Wes(injectors, GP harness) good quality and easy to install.

Tranny is now built also(rollerized and shift kit)

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Just started my 7.3* build

Farmer Rock

just a fella' without a 10mm socket

Buffetkiller

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Farmer Rock

just a fella' without a 10mm socket

homelessduck

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Buffetkiller

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nitroguy

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Buffetkiller

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IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO

Farmer Rock

just a fella' without a 10mm socket

Buffetkiller

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IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO

Buffetkiller

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Buffetkiller

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