what should I expect for power?

[OB_WAN]

I have a '90 CC SRW 4x4 IDI with a E40D and 3.54 gears. I purchased the truck a few months ago with 176k miles. the previous owner took good care of the truck.

Warning, I'm new to diesels.

I was doing some towing for the first time last weekend pulling a 7k lb load through the Sierra Nevada's(semi-steep grades, up to 8k ft elevation). At several points my top speed was 25mph and most of the time on inclines I was making some serious black clouds. At least one time I noticed a little white mixed in with the black cloud on steep climbs.

I'm curious if this was normal activity for my truck or if there's something I should be looking at. I know with the high gears(low numerically) and the combined weight of truck and trailer(~14k lbs) it was definitely a load. I just don't know if 25mph was due simply to an IDI engine or if something else is wrong.

I am planning on getting a pyrometer because I'm worried at some points my ETGs were getting pretty high. Also looking in to a turbo setup. I'm going to post separately asking about turbos.

thanks for any experienced feedback you may have.

 

[hesutton]

I am planning on getting a pyrometer because I'm worried at some points my ETGs were getting pretty high. Also looking in to a turbo setup.

I would get that pyro before making that run again. My N/A stock IDI could easily hit 1100-1200 on the pyro with only 1500lb load in the bed on smaller hills and at much lower elevation that what you were pulling.

The turbo will make a significant difference as would refreshing the fuel system with new injectors and a rebuild injection pump if they are worn out.

As far as power goes...... check out the IDI FAQ section at the top of the forum. At this year's rally, we dyno'ed a group of trucks, both N/A turbo'ed. The results are there.

Heath

 

[OB_WAN]

thanks for the feedback on the pyro and HP/torque #s.

I did indeed read the FAQs but I'm used to gassers where HP and Torque are closely matched and numbers are at higher rpms. now having a diesel that hits peak with lower rpms, I'm not sure how that translates in to overall pulling power.

 

[DragRag]

I have the same gears on my 92' crew that you have, and pull the same grades at the same speeds as you. You are not going any slower then me. Only way to cure the problem is Turbo it, and by all means, get the gauges so you don't melt down your engine. keep the EGT's below 1250. Spiking for short periods over is OK, but not to long.

 

[kas83]

What rpm were you running when you noticed the white smoke mixed with the black?

 

[timothyr1014]

the white with black would make me a little nervous, I say get a pyro ASAP as I will put money your EGT was up there. The turbo will make a big difference, as would different gears.

as far as comparing a gasser to a diesel, it is a different kind of power that is created much more effeciently....in short it will pull the load with less wear and tear on the motor, while a the same time getting better milage

 

[hesutton]

as far as comparing a gasser to a diesel, it is a different kind of power that is created much more effeciently....in short it will pull the load with less wear and tear on the motor, while a the same time getting better milage

And with a broader power band. You get much more torque earier in the RPM range and it stays up as the RPM's build.

Heath

 

[Agnem]

If your only used to gas engines, I'd compare the two to an arm wrestling match. The gasser will hold the other guy at the same spot when the match starts, then slowly and constantly loose power until the other guy wins. The diesel will drop off earlier, but about half way down the opponent seems to loose strenght and the diesel just holds him there.... with a victory going to whom ever can hold out the longest.

 

[OB_WAN]

I have the same gears on my 92' crew that you have, and pull the same grades at the same speeds as you. You are not going any slower then me. Only way to cure the problem is Turbo it, and by all means, get the gauges so you don't melt down your engine. keep the EGT's below 1250. Spiking for short periods over is OK, but not to long.

This is the exact response I was looking at. someone with the same gears/rig that I have with the same results. Thank you.

What rpm were you running when you noticed the white smoke mixed with the black?

If I remember correctly it had just shifted down and the RPMs were > 3k when the white came out. I do not recall consistently pumping white smoke. It was primarily a ********* cloud.

If your only used to gas engines, I'd compare the two to an arm wrestling match. The gasser will hold the other guy at the same spot when the match starts, then slowly and constantly loose power until the other guy wins. The diesel will drop off earlier, but about half way down the opponent seems to loose strenght and the diesel just holds him there.... with a victory going to whom ever can hold out the longest.

This is exactly what I experienced. it dropped down to 25mph, maybe 24mph but the grade increased and it held strong at that speed. My previous truck was a 1/2 ton tundra with a 4.7L gasser and it used to bounce around the RPM range all the time trying to get up those grades and would be screaming high on the RPM range but it had about the same torque and higher HP so did a little better job making it up the hills.



Thanks for all the feedback. I'll definitely get a pyro guage b4 my next climb.

 

[timothyr1014]

another thing is to keep in mind is that your idi will run like that all day for as many days as you want....try that in the tundra.

I am not sure about the trucks with a slushbox, but another thing to consider is if you are going to be doing a lot of pulling adding additional tranny cooling

 

[97idi]

i have a 86 350 dually that i switche from a 6.9 to a 7.3 idi, i have a 10,000lb (empty) toy hauler that i pull from mt airy md to parts of PA VA WV and we have a few mountans not huge but noticeable, so any ways when loaded it about 12,000 with dirtbikes and mostly water weight, but when iam running on the flat ground i can run about 75 some times 80 mph with my egts getting close to 800 when i hit the hills i never drop below 55 (all this was when i still had my t-19) down shifting to third about 3/4 to the top and my egts hardly got over 1000 (and i do have a turbo and 4.10 gears) just though this might give u a little different perspective on other setups, oh and i have a remand motor (turned up IP all new injection sys) good luck and get a pyro lol and turbo!!!!

 

[kas83]

With the white smoke at the higher RPM, I would say that timing is an issue, or lack there of to be exact. Might be time to freshen up the injection system like previously stated.

 

[Hybrid455]

The turbo will make a huge difference but it will also get the exhaust temp up there quick if your not careful to make sure it's spooled up at the beginning of the grade. That's where I'm at now and I'm looking at an intercooler to help solve that concern. It sucks when your half way up the mountain and you gotta worry about getting out of it to save your engine. Not saying don't get one....they are awesome but until you get the turbo if you find yourself in severe situations you can grab 4wheel low and give everybody in the drivetrain a break. With the E4OD you can probably still manage 45-50 on level ground without cruising on the governor and then march right up those grades. You'll need manual lock-outs of course unlocked on dry pavement, make sure your transfer case has been serviced because it seems they get neglected by even service minded folks and if you didn't know it DON'T pull a load in OD anyway shape or form cuz you will smoke it.

 

[Fozz]

Not towing in OD is kinda an old wives tale. You can tow in OD, I tow 10k all the time in OD. You just want to lockout/deselect OD when your speed is such that your tranny hunts between 3rd and OD, heat is created everytime the tranny shifts. Also, you don't want to lug the engine in OD, but that's true regardless of the gear you're in.

Nice to see another NM boy on board, I grew up in Alb.

 

[Hybrid455]

Not towing in OD is kinda an old wives tale. You can tow in OD, I tow 10k all the time in OD. You just want to lockout/deselect OD when your speed is such that your tranny hunts between 3rd and OD, heat is created everytime the tranny shifts. Also, you don't want to lug the engine in OD, but that's true regardless of the gear you're in.

Nice to see another NM boy on board, I grew up in Alb.

I still couldn't recomend it. I'm a tech at the Ford house and have seen a lot of overdrives come in on the hook with the old e4od. The transmission went though alot of updates and did get better but the older ones were weak.The overdrive planetary and one way clutch would tear up pretty easily. Ford put the overdrive button on the gear shift for that reason. You may be getting away with it by kicking it out when it starts hunting gears. You may also be lucky enough to have a trans with all the upgrades but I would still be afraid of it. Just my 2 cents. Thanks by the way... I am enjoying this forum.