86 6.9 to 7.3 filter head question

VintageIDI

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I am in the process of installing a 7.3 filter head on my 86 6.9 I have read about this swap but can not seem to find the info on wiring the fuel heater and wif sensor, also has any one got the vacuum sensor to work with the wif light on the 6.9 trucks or should I just eliminate that sensor with a plug? also what are the 3 wires on the factory water separator? I would to completely remove the old separator.
 

79jasper

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IIRC, the heater should get key on voltage.

I would rid of the restriction sensor for a real gauge.

The wif could be hooked to the ground side of a LED.
I believe the water completes the circuit, grounding the wire, therefore turning the light on.
 

VintageIDI

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So for the heater I can hook up 12v key on power? or do I have to lower the voltage? Do they make a restriction gauge? or is it just a vacuum gauge? I am going to try and wire up the wif senser to the factory wif light.
 

theguruat12

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For the heater, just wire it to the old heater wire. The old heater is the bulge on the steel fuel line going from the lift pump up to the filter header. Just swap the wires.

For the WIF sensor, I did some heavy research on this recently. There is a module that this connects to which is basically a solid state relay. When water hits the sensor, it grounds, but can only conduct a very small amount of current. As in, enough to throw a solid state relay, but not enough to power the light in the dash. The relay then would then send 12v to the dash light. I know one of the wires on your old one is 12v key on, can't remember the other two. This fellow http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/filter.htm has the module for $35. Part number is E8TZ-9S281-A.

Another member posted 1989 wiring diagrams (so, using the new header and WIF system) here http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?44434-Wiring-Diagrams-(1989)
Look at the one called "Instrument cluster" and you will see something called "Fuel Water SW" That's the module I'm talking about. And that's how it's wired up. That's how I'm going to try it on mine when I get home this winter, only I'm going to scout the salvage yards to see if I can snag one cheaper. I'm really ticked off that I didn't know about it enough to grab the one on the truck I got the header from :rolleyes:

I did the header swap myself, and personally, I just plugged the vacuum sensor hole. I still have it and might end up wiring it to an idiot light, but I'm also putting on a fuel pressure gauge in the near future which kind of eliminates the need for it. If you want to use the factoury sensor, then just hook a wire to the vacuum sensor, run it to a light somewhere on the dash, run keyed hot to that light, and use the wire from the sensor as the ground. Bingo, when the fuel pressure drops to a vacuum, your indicator will light up.
 

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