DirtBug66
Registered User
Pyro?? meter or some thing? whats it do
buy a 6.9 diesel or not?? need to know
- Thread starter DirtBug66
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DirtBug66
Registered User
got it!
1994IDI
Registered User
You found the right forum, and the right truck. Very few people will speak ill of am IDI. But those who do, it will be the same thing: "not enough power" or "not enough fuel mileage".
Those people are ignorant on IDI's or they want "new age" diesel power. Fact is: you'll never make the kind of power out of an IDI that you can get with a newer diesel, or 2nd gen cummins, but you will only have a fraction of the amount invested. It just depends on whats most important to you.
Also bear in mind that we may not have endless hundreds of horsewpower on the dyno, but with our flat torque curve, there hasn't been anything that I've hooked behind my truck that it won't pull. And for WAAAY under $10,000, you can have a reliable, turbo'd, intercooled diesel that will last 500,00 mi. with the right maintenance.
Just my .02.
Those people are ignorant on IDI's or they want "new age" diesel power. Fact is: you'll never make the kind of power out of an IDI that you can get with a newer diesel, or 2nd gen cummins, but you will only have a fraction of the amount invested. It just depends on whats most important to you.
Also bear in mind that we may not have endless hundreds of horsewpower on the dyno, but with our flat torque curve, there hasn't been anything that I've hooked behind my truck that it won't pull. And for WAAAY under $10,000, you can have a reliable, turbo'd, intercooled diesel that will last 500,00 mi. with the right maintenance.
Just my .02.
Check the top of this forum and please read the FAQ and take a look at a bunch of the tech articles.
No these engines don't have a good lifespan. That's why your looking at buying a 28 year old truck.
Go find a Toyota of the same age.
That's what everybody considers a good vehicle right? 
Your Ford tech probably wasn't born when these were in showrooms.
No these engines don't have a good lifespan. That's why your looking at buying a 28 year old truck.
Go find a Toyota of the same age.
That's what everybody considers a good vehicle right? Your Ford tech probably wasn't born when these were in showrooms.
That "Tech" has no idea what he is talking about. My '86 crew cab with the 6.9 has 322,000 miles on it with all the stock internal parts. Excellent compression on all cylinders, stone cold normal used oil analysis. I just put on new headgaskets and added headstuds. The turbo will be on soon. I didn't touch anything else in the motor.
Shoot I can still see the factory hone markings in the cylinders bores. Take care of it and it will last for a very long time.
Treat it like dyoung (David) and it will not last a very long time. (Sorry David........ I couldn't resist).
Heath
My '86 crew cab with the 6.9 has 322,000 miles on it with all the stock internal parts. Excellent compression on all cylinders, stone cold normal used oil analysis. I just put on new headgaskets and added headstuds. The turbo will be on soon. I didn't touch anything else in the motor. Shoot I can still see the factory hone markings in the cylinders bores. Take care of it and it will last for a very long time. Treat it like dyoung (David) and it will not last a very long time.
(Sorry David........ I couldn't resist).Heath
FordGuy100
Registered User
I'll argue the most efficient part....in the right applications these things will show their effieciency with their fuel economy (night moose).
FordGuy100
Registered User
I agree
Actually recently their has been the resurgence of the IDI. Its a cheap means of transportation, and it seems everyone has had one in their family at one time, and they loved it. They may not be powerhouses, but ask any former IDI owner, and I garuntee 90% of the time they will talk highly and include phrases like "I wish I never got rid of it," or "I will buy one again soon"
DirtBug66
Registered User
Check the top of this forum and please read the FAQ and take a look at a bunch of the tech articles.
No these engines don't have a good lifespan. That's why your looking at buying a 28 year old truck.
Go find a Toyota of the same age.
Your Ford tech probably wasn't born when these were in showrooms.
i would never drive a toyota! Born American, Buy American, Drive American
icanfixall
Official GMM hand model
Problem with this statement is my 89 F350 was made in Canada but the motor was made here in Indiana... I too try to always buy American made but that almost impossible these days... Lots of import cars are fabricated over there but assembled here so they are truely made in America... Kinda... Used to be mag wheels were cast and machined in overseas places like India or Pakistan but they bolt holes were not drilled yet. So they got to slide in under the tax of being a finished item... Great sneaky way of beating the import tax... Cars are the same thing....
tech51
Full Access Member
I hear this a lot from weekend hearly owners and Monday I see them filling up there toyotas, hondas, lexus,etc,etc
tech51
Full Access Member
100% true
Dave7.3
Diesel ******
If there is any testament to how durable these Ford IDI engines are, this has to be one:
http://www.turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle4.php
That or even the Ford diesel they keep on Davidsfarm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8rzXNpyurk
As previously stated, these engines are very simple and just need regular maintenance. On that same note though, I can't quite bash the PSD trucks. They are good at what they do with similar maintenance. Although they have a higher repair cost, it can be averted with proper care. (At least with the 7.3L PSD)
One example I can give to vouch for the PSD would be:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrdcKBBVTJM
Just shy of 800,000 miles. Also beaten as a test mule for performance products for a portion of its lifetime.
Personally, I'll never own anything else past the IDI or 7.3L PSD.
http://www.turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle4.php
That or even the Ford diesel they keep on Davidsfarm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8rzXNpyurk
As previously stated, these engines are very simple and just need regular maintenance. On that same note though, I can't quite bash the PSD trucks. They are good at what they do with similar maintenance. Although they have a higher repair cost, it can be averted with proper care. (At least with the 7.3L PSD)
One example I can give to vouch for the PSD would be:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrdcKBBVTJM
Just shy of 800,000 miles. Also beaten as a test mule for performance products for a portion of its lifetime.
Personally, I'll never own anything else past the IDI or 7.3L PSD.
Last edited:
burtcheca
farmer/cabinetmaker
DirtBug66,
You have read all the experts advice in this forum. Good advice. Now I want to add a couple of things more:
-IDI engines will run with diesel, biodiesel, waste vegetable oil, a mix of other different kinds of waste oil, etc. You cannot try that with the others much less a PSD.
-IDI engines are simple, easy to fix, even for people like me without much mechanic knowledge and tools. IDIs don't have all the electronics, sensors and modules the other have which makes them a nightmare to fix at home and force you to depend from the dealer.
These characteristics make IDI the ideal survival engines. Things are not going to be as they are right now. They'll get worse, much worse real soon. If you buy a vehicle with a decent IDI engine you are investing for that time when we are going to be probably the only ones driving trucks. All others will have their circuits disabled by EMPs, or don't have fuel.
I hope you pay attention to all the good advice you have received here, the forum where people care about each other and their trucks.
Burt.
You have read all the experts advice in this forum. Good advice. Now I want to add a couple of things more:
-IDI engines will run with diesel, biodiesel, waste vegetable oil, a mix of other different kinds of waste oil, etc. You cannot try that with the others much less a PSD.
-IDI engines are simple, easy to fix, even for people like me without much mechanic knowledge and tools. IDIs don't have all the electronics, sensors and modules the other have which makes them a nightmare to fix at home and force you to depend from the dealer.
These characteristics make IDI the ideal survival engines. Things are not going to be as they are right now. They'll get worse, much worse real soon. If you buy a vehicle with a decent IDI engine you are investing for that time when we are going to be probably the only ones driving trucks. All others will have their circuits disabled by EMPs, or don't have fuel.
I hope you pay attention to all the good advice you have received here, the forum where people care about each other and their trucks.
Burt.
