New Here!!

[idi tom]

Hey guys!!! Im a newbie to idi diesels, but, I found an 89 f250 7.3/zf5, 4x4 with 160,*** on the clock. Is there anything I should look for? The guy emailed me pics and the truck is in excellent condition aside from peeling paint there is no rust the interior looks brand new!! What all should I look at before I buy??

Thanks, Tom

 

[rjjp]

Get some test strips and check the coolant, the 7.3 is prone to cavitation.
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10350
If the coolant checks out as not having the additive then it gets to be a gamble it could last a lifetime it could die tomorrow.
Tell him that you want a cold start, if you don't get one you'll walk, alot of problems can be hidden by a warm engine. I'm assuming that you've bought used vehicles before and know to look everything over.
Climb under it and check the cab flood, around here the brick noses (87-91) are prone to loosing the cab floor.
I'm sure that others will chime in shortly.

 

[gatorman21218]

Read the tech articles and the faqs in the idi forum. Those will get you started and after that if you have any specific questions feel free to ask away.

 

[icanfixall]

Welcome to the best forum for free information on all idi fords. We can help no matter what time of day or nite. Some of us don't sleep much.... The mileage sounds great and the motor is just barely broken in.... If this is the original motor. About the easeat way to know for sure if the motor is 6.9 or a 7.3 is take a 12 point 1/2 inch socket. See if it fite the head bolts anywhere. If its too big then the motor is a 6.9... All these idi motors look alike and only the head bolts will tell you what size the motor is easily. I can tell just by the searial number but thats another item all togehter. The sca if used are a good insurance that the block is ok and not cavitated. Look in the coolant catch bottle on the drivers side fender. See if any oil is in that... If so it could be a head gasket, cavitation or the oil cooler o-rings. The oil cooler is the easiest to fix but we need to help you thru that... Is it 4x4... Dually or crewcab... The paint isn't a big deal... Lots of trucks have paint issues. Keep posting questions and we will be able to help....

 

[BrandonMag]

First off, welcome to the best IDI superwarehouse on the 'net. You'll find more information on this site about IDIs than you'll need.

Here's the most important information for a new (or soon to be new) 7.3 IDI owner:

http://www.oilburners.net/articles/cavitationartic.html

After you read (or just skim) this article, you'll see why SCAs are so important.

HOWEVER, when I bought my '89 F250, the PO hadn't heard of SCAs. I decided to roll the dice. One of the first things I did was The Warden's coolant filtration mod http://www.oilburners.net/articles/coolfilter1.html with a NAPA pre-treated filter. I've put about 8K miles on it without any problems.

The rest of the stuff to look for specific to Ford IDI diesels can be found here:

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7597

 

[burtcheca]

Welcome to the forum that cares!

You already have good advice in the technical and mechanical senses. Now, if everything looks good or if you are still in doubt; if you are a good mechanic or know just a little; if you have plenty of money or just enough to pay your bills; in any situation; this is what I would do:

Pray. Ask the Lord to put an obstacle in the transaction if the truck is not in His will for you. Learn to trust Him.

Burt.

 

[Agnem]

I know that works for me everytime! Welcome to the site. DO READ the FAQ's and Technical articles until you're bleary eyed and falling asleep.

 

[idi tom]

Thanks for the advice fellas!! I stayed up till 3am reading!!!

 

[Agnem]

OK that qualifies!

 

[oldmisterbill]

Welcome to our family!

 

[subway]

post up some pics when you get it! otherwise welcome aboard