New 6.9 IDI - Deciding if worth resurrecting or not

[Smafugula]

Yes. I don't have any though. All I did for manual glow plug on my first 1985 was to unplug the controller. Then I ran a powered wire through a push button and to the purple wire on the glow plug relay that's on the passenger's side fenderwell. It looks similar to the starter solenoid on the fender. My current 1985 already had a manual control for the glow plugs when I bought it. Not only is the controller wiring not plugged in, the 7.3 that I have in it now has a plug in the port on the head so there's no controller at all. The wiring just hangs there close to the firewall.

To update.

I took the glow plugs out they all were Beru Germany. Maybe original? They weren’t broken and looked good overall.

I’ll be doing the compression test soon. All the GP’s need to be out to perform test right? Can the engine be cold?

Also the injectors look to be replaced at some point. They are Delphi.

 

[Smafugula]

The Horrible Freight compression gauge works fine. It has a fitting that goes in place of the glow plug.

Yeah I just got that today. Thanks for the tip

 

[u2slow]

I’ll be doing the compression test soon. All the GP’s need to be out to perform test right? Can the engine be cold?

I test GPs in place with an ohmmeter, or more reliably, measure that they flow current (amps).

Comp test is always best done hot/warm, but if the engine doesnt run.... gotta make do.

 

[Smafugula]

I test GPs in place with an ohmmeter, or more reliably, measure that they flow current (amps).

Comp test is always best done hot/warm, but if the engine doesnt run.... gotta make do.

It’ll idle/start if I hit it with ether lol. Someone said Use wd40 not sure if that would work

I was asking more so do the Gp’s have to be out all together to do the compression test

 

[IDIBRONCO]

do the Gp’s have to be out all together to do the compression test

That's the best. There's MUCH less stress on your starter and your batteries with them out.

 

[Smafugula]

That's the best. There's MUCH less stress on your starter and your batteries with them out.

Cool. I’ll get them all out then. I want to bring this thing back. I hope it’s good PSI. I’ll report back. Thank you and everyone for the great feedback. Didn’t expect this. Wish I could post pics easier but it says photos are too large. Must be new phone and old forum stuff lol

 

[Smafugula]

photos updated. I'll post some more later. Lot of rain here in GA recently.

 

[BeastMaster]

As for the schematics of the glow plug circuit, search this site for them. Glow plug problems are a very frequent discussion here. My recommendation is to go manual. I have had bad experience with even so-called OEM replacements.

The controller failed shorted. That killed my plugs, that killed my alternator, then that killed my battery.

There is a guy here known as Wes. He is in Texas. He resells an industrial contactor originally designed for switching industrial refrigeration compressors. Very heavy duty switch. Hermetically sealed construction.

Emerson Electric makes them now. It used to be White Rodgers before Emerson bought the company. Wes puts together a rewire kit that has all the connectors and whatnot you will need, along with the contactor.

White Rodgers Part # 586-902

I have been running the Emerson contactor for about five years now. Absolutely no issues. It is a far superior part to what I had. Given how critical it is for this part to work correctly, I highly recommend it.

Edit: IDIBRONCO ( below ) noted I gave inaccurate advice. He is right. I have a 7.3 IDI with bullet connectors. Yours is 6.9 IDI with spade connectors. Hence the edit.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Wes puts together a rewire kit that has all the connectors and whatnot you will need, along with the contactor.

This is set up for the 7.3 style glow plugs with the bullet connector ends.

 

[Smafugula]

As for the schematics of the glow plug circuit, search this site for them. Glow plug problems are a very frequent discussion here. My recommendation is to go manual. I have had bad experience with even so-called OEM replacements.

The controller failed shorted. That killed my plugs, that killed my alternator, then that killed my battery.

There is a guy here known as Wes. He is in Texas. He resells an industrial contactor originally designed for switching industrial refrigeration compressors. Very heavy duty switch. Hermetically sealed construction.

Emerson Electric makes them now. It used to be White Rodgers before Emerson bought the company. Wes puts together a rewire kit that has all the connectors and whatnot you will need, along with the contactor.

White Rodgers Part # 586-902

I have been running the Emerson contactor for about five years now. Absolutely no issues. It is a far superior part to what I had. Given how critical it is for this part to work correctly, I highly recommend it.

Edit: IDIBRONCO ( below ) noted I gave inaccurate advice. He is right. I have a 7.3 IDI with bullet connectors. Yours is 6.9 IDI with spade connectors. Hence the edit.

Cool!

Well first my plan was to convert the controller and plugs to 7.3 IDI GP's. That is if it passes the compression test, haven't done it yet. Been raining so much here and more rain this weekend...

 

[Smafugula]

This is set up for the 7.3 style glow plugs with the bullet connector ends.

Random but do you guys think not having the title would significantly affect the resell of this truck if I was to ever sell it? Here in the south you can tag and drive stuff this old without a title but I am worried about perceived value. If I put money in this thing and its resale value is limited solely cus I don't have a title, that would not be good.

 

[u2slow]

No registration/title is definitely a problem here. Unofficially... thats when people buy a beater with papers and and do either a full cab or dash swap.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

We need a title in Kansas to register a vehicle. This kind of makes me wish I lived a little farther south. Seeing how there's been quite a few vehicles for sale for good prices without a title lately.

 

[Nero]

Most States require a title. Big no-no for all us western States.... I won't even touch a vehicle without it

 

[DirtyWood]

It shouldn't be very hard to apply for a new title. Paperwork gets lost or damaged so i would guess all states have some procedure to remedy the situation.