Someone loosened up my injector lines....

[Chevyboy_0]

So I was gonna try to start work on my truck today and I go under the hood and I look at the IP and I notice the line that leads from the IP to injector #6 was almost all the way taken off.... I then started to look at all the injectors and the lines on the IP and it looks like whoever had the truck before me was doing something to the all drivers side injectors... Upon testing them I found that all four lines weren't even hand tight!!

I have a feeling this isn't very good for the motor. And I have no idea as to why someone wouldn't have tightened the lines back up?
Any thoughts as to what they mght have been doing?

 

[k_williams1982]

Valve cover gasket replacement. Normally you would just replace BOTH at the same time though...

 

[Chevyboy_0]

Is it possible there could be residual pressure built up in the lines? And what kind of care should I take with the lines when I take them off?

 

[k_williams1982]

Is it possible there could be residual pressure built up in the lines? And what kind of care should I take with the lines when I take them off?

Don't bend or twist them, and be sure to install the two "harmonical clamps" back on the lines (two clamps on each side). I got my truck without those little clamps on the lines and "cracked" a hardline within 5,000 miles. Also it works easier when reinstalling the lines to start each side and then finger tighten them before tightening with a wrench. That makes sure that the lines don't get bent and theat you don't cross thread any on the pump or injectors. I start on the bottom two of the IP when reinstalling and work my way around the IP (next one up on the left, then across from it on the right, and so on). I have a custom bent wrench to tighten them on the IP as I reinstall them. There might be an easier way, but I stick with how I know how to do it and it works fine for me.

 

[Chevyboy_0]

so I asked my Stepdad if he knew that they were loose and he said that he had loosened up the lines cause he was gonna start taking the motor apart to do the head gaskets... so no worries here, but if the lines dont have the "harmonical Clamps" where could i find them?

 

[punkmechanic]

Junk yard is your best bet. I can snag a couple when I go next, how soon do you need them.

 

[Chevyboy_0]

There's no rush, I plan to have the motor apart for head gaskets by the end of march, I just need to check to see if I don't already have them. What exactly do they look like?

 

[OLDBULL8]

You can try here or call them about the line clamps. http://www.o-f-i.com/index.php?pid=16#INJECTORS_6.9L/7.3L_IDI_FORD_DIESEL
If the hose's, injector plastic cap's and O'ring's have not been replaced, it would be a good idea to replace them when you reinstall the injectors. Cheap 34 buc's for the kit. When you replace the head gasket's you have to replace the valley pan (intake manifold gasket) they are a one time usage as they are a crush gasket. If you don't have the gasket's yet try autozone they have them, cheapest place I found when I did my head's. If you or Dad has never worked on these type heads before it's best to pull the engine, they weigh about 85-90 lbs. There are two 5/8" dowel's, one at each end of the head toward the intake, don't destroy them. When you take the injector pump off don't remove the tower or you will lose the timing. Any other question's just post it .

And Welcome to the OilBurners. There is lot's of help here.

 

[suv7734]

If the junkyard doesn't have any they are reasonably priced here near the bottom of the page. This company has a pretty good reputation.

 

[Chevyboy_0]

I was thinking of pulling the motor but we don't have any more room to put it, we have 2 1969 Camaros and a 1957 Bel Air in one garage, and four Dirt bikes and a trailer in the other and we have another 57 chevy and a 63 Nova on the side yard... And I'm thinking to remove the heads I'll pull the hood off and use a engine crane or rig a pulley system up... But since this is my first Diesel I'll definatly be posting up here

 

[OLDBULL8]

With all those vehicles, you should have an engine hoist and stand. Harbor Freight has some good prices on them if your close to one. the 1000 lb. engine stand will support the engine but I used the hoist to support the engine until I had the heads off. Engine weighs 800-900 lbs. Sears sell the 9/16" C shaped wrench to get at the one nut on the IP.

 

[Chevyboy_0]

We have all the nessesary equipment to pull it just nowhere to put it after we pull it, cause if I do pull it I'm gonna clean everything and repaint it to the original international gray.

 

[suv7734]

With all those vehicles, you should have an engine hoist and stand. Harbor Freight has some good prices on them if your close to one. the 1000 lb. engine stand will support the engine but I used the hoist to support the engine until I had the heads off. Engine weighs 800-900 lbs. Sears sell the 9/16" C shaped wrench to get at the one nut on the IP.

You'll want to be carefull at those weights. The engine alone will weigh 1,000#+ given any 'accessories' etc. If you try to put the engine on an engine stand rated for anything less than 2000# you'll have a heck of a time trying to rotate it.
Just a thought.

 

[Chevyboy_0]

I actually don't plan on pulling the engine, I'm gonna do it in the truck...

 

[LCAM-01XA]

It is my understanding that the passenger-side head will me a royal pain to pull with the engine still in truck, and even worse job reinstalling it if you decide to run studs instead of bolts - not much space between that and the A/C evaporator box.