6.9 IDI endless hard starts

[seanres]

I've got a 1983 F350 6.9 IDI that I've been working on for over a year. Came with a hard starting issue but ran with a lot of white smoke that reduced with a new IP. I am still having issues with starting when its cold no matter the temperature. It'll start right up with a bit of ether and after its warm but obviously don't want to be stuck with it like this. Would really appreciate any advice on what else I should be looking for.

New return lines (almost 1yr old now), new injectors, new injection pump, fuel filter, new fuel lines from tank to new electronic fuel pump and to IP, new hard fuel lines, two <1yr old batteries and new starter, new battery and starter cable, new glow plugs with manual bypass switch and checked to be functioning. Cranks hard, has some white smoke on cranking, but won't even fire off as I crank. I'll do 10s manual glowplugs then crank for 10-15s max, wait a minute then go for no longer than 5 minutes.I start with the pedal on the floor, fresh diesel and 1/8th from full tank on my rear (selector switch works but I just stick with the rear tank). When I crank the fuel gauge level drops, not sure if thats normal. If I use ether I wait after using the glow plugs for 30mins and don't hit them when I start and if batteries are charged she'll start right up with white smoke. New IP helped with the smoke a bit but I haven't been able to time it since I can't get it running! I also deleted the return line that goes from the 1st cylinder back to the top of the fuel filter to IP fuel line.

I've inserted clear line from the electric fuel pump to the fuel filter and no air. I'm planning on checking the IP return line to the union on the back of the driver's side and probably switching that out to braided line from the hard line.

Anything else I should try? At this rate I feel like I should've just ripped the engine out.......

 

[Jesus Freak]

I'm going to say timing and possibly bad glow plugs. Good glow plugs are hard to find.

The other question that will be asked as soon as anyone else chimes in is "where did your IP come from?"...... I'll leave that discussion to the guys that know..... because I don't.

 

[seanres]

I got it rebuilt from a local shop that works on IDIs in the northeast. Not sure if I'm better off just timing it after starting with ether or trying to do some IP adjustment beforehand. I've had mixed luck with the piezo pickup on the 1st cylinder with the RPM reading being real shotty and giving out before I can get it to 2000rpm to get the timing

 

[Black dawg]

What are you using for glow plugs, and have you checked for voltage to the plugs?

If it starts easily with starting fluid, hard to believe it is anything other than no heat from the plugs

 

[seanres]

I got ZD-1-A plugs from Grand Tex Auto Parts on Ebay. From my memory glow plugs read about 12.1v when manual bypass button is pressed on all 8, checked this past week but can't remember the voltage.

Granted, even with the starting fluid starts it does smoke a bit so I know my timing is off but I can't imagine that it could just be that. It can lope a little on startup but that goes away after warming up.

 

[Jesus Freak]

Timing is really relative "in my opinion" basically (once again, my opinion) it should be just a hair advanced from the static mark.

As far as testing GPs, shouldn't you check for continuity/ohms? And eBay GPs are typically "China fakes". We've got a thread about them on here somewhere, it's really annoying.

 

[seanres]

When I installed the new IP I put it to the static mark so I could try to advance it a dime's width and see if it helps much.

I think I did check ohms back when I first got them but can't remember, I did hear about many fakes but didn't have other choices at the time and the old ones were definitely shot.

 

[Black dawg]

If checking voltage at plugs with all connected, voltage will be much lower, like 9.5 ish if they are actually working.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

When I crank the fuel gauge level drops, not sure if thats normal.

I'm pretty sure that it's normal. I think that it drops because the starter takes voltage/amperage away from non essential things like stock gauges.
It seems like you've got things covered. I'd try advancing the timing before you do much more to it. The old, used IP (with unknown mileage) that's on my engine right now would lope like yours. Advancing the timing sure made it start easier and the lope went away. It would lope until the engine ran for 30 seconds or so.

 

[seanres]

If checking voltage at plugs with all connected, voltage will be much lower, like 9.5 ish if they are actually working.

Damn I'll double check but from my memory I think they are higher than that

 

[seanres]

I'm pretty sure that it's normal. I think that it drops because the starter takes voltage/amperage away from non essential things like stock gauges.
It seems like you've got things covered. I'd try advancing the timing before you do much more to it. The old, used IP (with unknown mileage) that's on my engine right now would lope like yours. Advancing the timing sure made it start easier and the lope went away. It would lope until the engine ran for 30 seconds or so.

How much advance? I'm gonna be conservative but don't want to do damage by advancing too much

 

[Kdo58]

Glow plugs, I would not buy glow plugs off the internet. I buy mine from the auto parts store, just to many fakes out there.

 

[seanres]

Glow plugs, I would not buy glow plugs off the internet. I buy mine from the auto parts store, just to many fakes out there.

Which ones do you get? I see a bunch that are listed on NAPA that are supposed to be compatible but I've heard that Motorcraft ZD-1-A is the only way to go which is why I went with those from online and I don't see any autoparts stores where I can get them

 

[Kdo58]

I would just get ones for the 7:3 idi and either buy a wire harness kit and manual controller from Cdd, that what i did.

 

[Nero]

Another good place to get glow plugs is https://www.ididiesel.com/

Kind of surprised no one has mentioned it yet, have you checked for air in fuel after sitting for long periods, have you checked compression? Sounds more like a losing prime issue. Are you still using the stock fuel filter? the 6.9 one has been known for being cruddy