Prototype 6.9L- Blast From the Past

[PwrSmoke]

All you young punks trying to make the old guys feel older? Thanks! I coulda bought one in '83. Waited until '87 (slightly used '86). I worked a a Ford dealer at the time. Well, I got to see them new on the lots, so neener, neener! (Cough, cough, wheeze, groan, moan, creak!)

 

[FordGuy100]

 

[sle2115]

Been researching the origins and history of the 6.9L and ran across something you might like to see. It's an image of an early IH IDI V8 diesel on a dyno and it appeared in a March, 1982 an industry news story in Four Wheeler magazine that talked about the upcoming diesel war between Ford and Chevy. It said IH would invest $35 million in tooling and equipment for the Indy plant to produce the new diesel engine. Given the lead time magazines have (minimum 3 months) we can predict this pic was taken in 1981 and sent out in a press release. The pic was tiny and I blew it up as big as I could make it and still be decent. I can see some difference, including an oil filler cap and vent tube in the passenger side valve cover and dual belts driving the alternator.

Mine has dual alternator belts too!

 

[GOOSE]

Nice find Jim. Funny, my dad bought an '83 f150 2wd 302-C6 used in late '84. I think it had 12,000 miles and he got it for $8,000. He sold it with 204,000 miles on it for $500, it was shot!!. I always wondered how a diesel would have fared for him in lieu if the '150.

 

[diezelcrazee]

I was 20 at that time, fresh out of diesel tech school and trying to get as much grease under my fingernails as I could! Bought a new F350 witha 6.9 in 86, had it a week and the drivers side head gasket started leaking coolant...Even though warranty fixed it, the idea of some goober in a shop pulling the head on my new truck was 'bout more than I could stand...

Jim, thanks for the pic and memories. I remember so well when all that was happening.....

 

[The Warden]

Looks to be a med duty truck engine due to the manifolds and big pulleys. Nice find.

That makes sense...IIRC it was normal on the IH trucks for the pax side manifold to dump forward, and also IIRC this engine was originally designed for medium-duty trucks and was adapted by IH for Ford.

BTW, I had just celebrated my first birthday when the magazine was issued, so I would have been less than a year old when the pic was taken...and, there are still some young whippersnappers on here who are making me feel old!!!

 

[Eason]

Jim does this hint at a upcomming article in 4 Wheeler? Eason

 

[PwrSmoke]

Not Four Wheeler, Diesel World. Separate from the Rally Story (which is long done but I don't know for sure which issue it will be in yet), it will be a history story on the '83-94 IDI Ford diesels.

Speaking of Four Wheeler, if you check Four Wheeler you'll see that do a monthly column there called "Backwards Glances" in which I talk about some vintage 4x4. If you go to fourwheeler.com they put many of them online as well. If I could find a really sweet, totally stock IDI Ford (really good unrestored or restored back to original), I would love to do a column on it. Has to be a 4x4, though, and it either has to be close enough for me to drive to easily or the owner has to be willing to come here. I live in NW Ohio, not far from Lima. Same thing would apply to an early GM diesel or a 1st gen Dodge.

 

[freebird01]

shame its got to be 4x4...i know where there is an absolute gorgeous first gen dodge ext cab w/ cummins in it thats been garage kept and under 100K and looks brand spankin new....but its 2wd

 

[Jake_IN]

I live in NW Ohio, not far from Lima. \

Well shoot im not far from you at all. Hometown for me Milford IN.

 

[Eason]

Jim how about the 1983 in my avatar?

 

[PwrSmoke]

Looking for bone stock, Eason. Plus NC is a little too far to travel for a two-page story. But thanks!

 

[RLDSL]

I wasnt even a thought. Just thought I should make you guys feel old

Sheeh, I was turning wrenches in a Jeep, AMC, Renault dealership back then. Excuse me while I go back to farting dust

 

[Eason]

Jim you could always get in some Outer Banks 4 wheeling and I could show you a secret stash of Farmall 826 parts!!! Eason

 

[War Wagon]

All you young punks trying to make the old guys feel older? Thanks! I coulda bought one in '83. Waited until '87 (slightly used '86). I worked a a Ford dealer at the time. Well, I got to see them new on the lots, so neener, neener! (Cough, cough, wheeze, groan, moan, creak!)

I was born in '85. So, I don't remember much about the 80's. But, I actually envy you old guys who got to see them new on the lot. I would like to have experienced that.