DrCharles
Full Access Member
Good morning everyone... I recently acquired a '93 F-250 with 7.3 IDI non-turbo, 5-speed, 4WD, long bed with only 186K miles. I've been working on cars, trucks and tractors for nearly 40 years but this is my first IDI so I'm learning fast. Good thing there is the Internet (and forums like this one), 30 years ago the learning curve would have been much slower and steeper!
Anyhow the truck has been subjected to huge amounts of "Missouri engineering" over its 25 year life, so (as with every used vehicle I've ever owned) I am spending time cleaning up hacks, jury-rigs, neglected and just plain broken stuff. At least the batteries have been replaced within the last year.
First thing was the losing-prime after 5 seconds. It's had a relatively recent return line kit and there are no visible leaks. So I chucked the mechanical lift pump and mounted a Facet 40285 pump to the inner fender. Wired it up with a relay triggered from the VSS and it works great. No more grind and grind.
Glow plugs aren't right, probably weren't Motorcraft ZD-9 so I have a new set, waiting for decent weather to install them.
I discovered that the front tank (at least) has the "empty at 1/4 tank" problem. Haven't even tried the rear tank yet. Since there are three small rust holes in the bed at the rear frame crossmember, I plan on pulling the bed, doing both tank pickups and any rubber fuel lines I can find, and welding patches to the bed while it's off.
The entire grill/headlights/front header is either "patched" (with blue RTV!) or literally held on with house wire. Fortunately all those parts (new aftermarket) aren't too expensive. The headlights were so badly fogged I was going to replace them anyway, so might as well tear it all off at the same time.
Wiring is "interesting", to say the least. Almost the entire underhood harness has been unwrapped and re-covered with split-loom tubing and vinyl tape. I doubt it came from the factory that way. I haven't found any melted wires though, but some have cracked insulation. Surprisingly, all the lights and gauges work (except the dome lights).
Going this morning to my local shop (which does decent work at reasonable labor rates) for a coolant flush. I already have the Fleet Charge and distilled water, and for 1.5 hr labor I'll pay it - I'm getting too old and tired to lie on the ground with antifreeze and other crud falling in my face, to get those block plugs out! Probably have them do the heater hoses at the same time, they look original (Motorcraft labels and no screw clamps except at the cheap flushing tee someone installed). It's low on coolant (but not appearing in the oil). Nervous about cavitation issues but the low mileage should help.
There's plenty more but I won't bore you all with the details. Anyway I just wanted to say hi and I'm sure I will be back on here as I uncover more problems!
Anyhow the truck has been subjected to huge amounts of "Missouri engineering" over its 25 year life, so (as with every used vehicle I've ever owned) I am spending time cleaning up hacks, jury-rigs, neglected and just plain broken stuff. At least the batteries have been replaced within the last year.
First thing was the losing-prime after 5 seconds. It's had a relatively recent return line kit and there are no visible leaks. So I chucked the mechanical lift pump and mounted a Facet 40285 pump to the inner fender. Wired it up with a relay triggered from the VSS and it works great. No more grind and grind.
Glow plugs aren't right, probably weren't Motorcraft ZD-9 so I have a new set, waiting for decent weather to install them.
I discovered that the front tank (at least) has the "empty at 1/4 tank" problem. Haven't even tried the rear tank yet. Since there are three small rust holes in the bed at the rear frame crossmember, I plan on pulling the bed, doing both tank pickups and any rubber fuel lines I can find, and welding patches to the bed while it's off.
The entire grill/headlights/front header is either "patched" (with blue RTV!) or literally held on with house wire. Fortunately all those parts (new aftermarket) aren't too expensive. The headlights were so badly fogged I was going to replace them anyway, so might as well tear it all off at the same time.
Wiring is "interesting", to say the least. Almost the entire underhood harness has been unwrapped and re-covered with split-loom tubing and vinyl tape. I doubt it came from the factory that way. I haven't found any melted wires though, but some have cracked insulation. Surprisingly, all the lights and gauges work (except the dome lights).
Going this morning to my local shop (which does decent work at reasonable labor rates) for a coolant flush. I already have the Fleet Charge and distilled water, and for 1.5 hr labor I'll pay it - I'm getting too old and tired to lie on the ground with antifreeze and other crud falling in my face, to get those block plugs out! Probably have them do the heater hoses at the same time, they look original (Motorcraft labels and no screw clamps except at the cheap flushing tee someone installed). It's low on coolant (but not appearing in the oil). Nervous about cavitation issues but the low mileage should help.
There's plenty more but I won't bore you all with the details. Anyway I just wanted to say hi and I'm sure I will be back on here as I uncover more problems!
