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    Fuel filter mod to run taller filter that's less expensive.

    what filters did you have in mind. Sounds like a simple but effective modification.
  2. D

    Wally the Walrus (1992 E350 High Roof/Ext. Body)

    I like to think they were smart enough to remove the GPS trackers, but one van at auction (not mine) still had the National Defense Area flags and the magnetic door signs with a huge badge and "Federal Officer" printed on it. I believe the black boxes were transponders to electronically...
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    Vibration and play

    Had similar vibration on two different IDIs. Turned out to be the tires. Two Cooper radials that had more than 50 % tread left and an almost new Hankook tire. Big-O dealer that sold them to me refused to make it right. The outer tread was separating from the inner tread but wasn't really...
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    Wally the Walrus (1992 E350 High Roof/Ext. Body)

    Is it black and gray? I bought several identical vans 12 years ago. You may have bought a real peach, or a real lemon. I have 380k on one and it is still going strong with only routine maintenance. The DOE got rid of most of the IDIs 10+ years ago, and have sold off the 95-96 models as...
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    Rear Fuel Tank Cleaning - Dear God

    Close. They don't carry anything labeled for E350 vans. Really don't want to pay $200 for a part that cost $5 to make.
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    Yeh, Sad Day. Rare IDI E Gone.

    Sorry to her about your van. I went thu a similar insurance fiasco with USAA, and got nothing out of them, despite not being at fault. I may be cutting loose an IDI van in a few months. In great shape, and a lot of extras. I'll be dead and gone long before I can use up the ones I have.
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    Rear Fuel Tank Cleaning - Dear God

    Does anyone have a lead on fuel quantity senders for these old vehicles?
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    Rear Fuel Tank Cleaning - Dear God

    I dealt with an identical mess ten years ago and am now going thru it again. Replacing the tank with one from a junkyard would have been the easiest and cheapest solution, but they use forklifts to move vehicles and every tank I looked at was crumpled as well as having drain holes crudely...
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    Odometer going black, simple fix?

    1992 E350 IDI, 7.3, E4OD. Odometer display is going black, probably from old age. I need it functional because the fuel quantity sender went erratic years ago and tracking miles is how I determine fuel levels. Can I just replace it with a junkyard odometer display, assuming I can even find...
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    IDI Wizards, your best guess please...

    All fluids are normal, except oil quantity. He took it out for a test run. At low rpm it sounds like 1-2 cylinders are not firing. At 75mph it sounds smooth and strong. Lots of blue smoke at every speed. I suggested he park it until he can overhaul it or sell it. He still needs to use...
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    IDI Wizards, your best guess please...

    A friends 1994 E350 van, with 7.3 NA, auto trans and 380K miles. Suddenly started putting substantial blue smoke out the tailpipe, but the smoke stream has gaps in it, like most of the cylinders are smoking but 1-2 cylinders are not. There was a very light rhythmic ticking from the engine for...
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    CIA tracker device

    My van actually had a fedgov GPS tracker on it. The vehicle was used to escort nuclear weapons convoys by the DOE before I got it. The GPS device was attached to the inner side of the front bumper, used batteries, and had two 1/4” mounting holes. It went into the trash. There were a lot of cool...
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    E350 questions

    Judging from your post, you appear to have some mechanical abilities. These vans are not hard to work on, I maintain several. Maybe not as easy as a truck, but still not hard. Pull the doghouse and passenger seat and you have great access to most of the engine. The van floor is a huge table...
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    Newer IP thats been sitting, not sending fuel to Injectors...

    Had an identical problem with my van. The algae in it acted like superglue when two parts squeezed it tightly. It was just goop on my fingers, but when I squeezed my fingers together I had to use a knife to pry them apart. I finally got my IP unglued by filling it with a 50/50 mix of diesel...
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    an IDI as a ranch tank?

    I’m leery of old construction equipment. Bought an old tractor and it is clear I’ll have to rebuild every part of it. I looked at old Willys jeeps that I could beat to death but parts are not cheap and they are really light. So I’m looking at IDIs because I’m familiar with them and have a...
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    an IDI as a ranch tank?

    Looking at some ford F250s and a Bronco with 7.3 IDIs Need a ranch vehicle that can take a lot of physical abuse, driving thru tree branches, over large rocks, thru soft soil, etc. Doesn't have to carry a lot, just get thru dense forest filled with live and dead branches and tons of various...
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    Serpentine Belt Size

    On my 1993 E350 7.3L IDI N/A, I have used 112 and 113 inch belts without problems. The 112 needs the idler pulley fully lowered to get it on the last pulley, the alternator pulley. It had to be the alternator pulley. It will stretch a fair amount over time. O-Reilly's Auto Parts can get...
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    van lovers, check this out

    Ugh. Just a cheap commercial mess. It only needs the roof air because it is painted black and gray and heats up like an oven in summer. The interior is an abomination of wasted space and poor construction. The vertical walls don’t even follow the factory wall contours. That 100 gallon fuel...
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    is there a LITE version of the forum?

    if so, I can't find it. It could be my POS linux computer that mangles firefox. Okaaaay, let me be more specific. is there a lite version that deletes everything except the actual posts, so copying and pasting doesn't include a large amount of superfluous information?
  20. D

    Anyone have a guess at this filters micron rating?

    I've worked with similar aircraft filters. They were for jet fuel and had a 5 micron rating. Oil filters had a higher micron rating. IME, a filter this fine will plug up immediately when trying to suck cruddy wmo through it, and will be a pain in the azz to clean. I used blue jeans for...
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    Algea in my fuel?

    My IDI sat for 2 years in the dry New Mexico desert, and grew a huge amount of algae in the tank. It was a bright translucent red with a tinge of brown, just like the OP's picture. I tried running the engine which pumped that crap into the fuel system. Spent about 40 hrs and a few hundred...
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    Thinking of building a trailer

    I like to buy old farm trailers built for hauling hay. They are dirt cheap, massively overbuilt and typically have two 6000 lb motorhome axles. I check for straightness before buying, then reinforce all the welds, and chop and modify for my exact needs. I build all my trailers to max width of...
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    I want this for a parts runner truck but no room :(

    true. I bought an identical box for $600 and slapped it into a trailer frame with two 6000 lb axles. I welded up all the exterior access panels for better security.
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    Are VSS and ABS wheel speed sensors now unobtanium?

    I've already bought two of the newer style all-plastic-housing ones and they both gave my E4OD a heart attack. Wasted $60 and have looked all over for the one with the metal attach flange but no luck. Every place I've asked, crosses the factory part number over to that plastic junk. I'm...
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    DIY fuel line clamps?

    If you are handy at fabrication, it wouldn’t be too hard to make a custom clamp. I made two using 1/2” thick hard rubber pad and .060 steel sheet. But, I love to fabricate stuff. Of course, it might be much simpler to use a hand-held tube bender and tweak the new line so it will engage...

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