OT: Opinions on older Ford Diesel pickups?

Clarkbug · Nov 2, 2008

Hello All.

Quick question for those who have some experience with these.

Local dealer has a 1989 Ford F-350 with the 7.3 liter diesel in it, 5 speed transmission, and 4 wheel drive. Mileage is unknown, since the odometer has rolled over already. Looks like it will need brakes, tires, and perhaps shocks. Not rusty, just a little bit in the wheel wells.

So my question is, should I even bother looking at this guy? Are there any common failures or faults? Anything to definitely avoid?

I have been thinking that I would like to run a WVO conversion from someplace like greasecar, and this seems like it could be a good opportunity.

I just wanted to get some input to know if I should look into it more, or start running the other way.

Thanks in advance!

~Bug

Mike in Ohio · Nov 2, 2008

I had a '90 crew cab dually 2wd a few years ago the only thing I remember doing to the engine other than reg maintenance was to replace the relay for the glow plugs. Now the automatic transmission was another story. The one your looking at is a 5 speed so no worries there. Good luck, Mike

Wesley Stephens · Nov 2, 2008

We had a 7.3 in an econoline box truck with over 300,000 miles and still going, and my brother has an 89 F-250 with the same engine that is pushing 300.000 miles and is still in good shape. My brother's truck is 4 wd with 4.10 gears and will still get 17-18 mpg. My uncle also has had good service out of a 93 F-250 that is still in great shape. All of these trucks have automatics and they have held up well, but I always have more confidence in manual transmissions. If I was looking for a truck, I'd buy one in a minute.

ericlb · Nov 2, 2008

the engine and truck is good, but check out the transfer case carefully, and try it out in all ranges, i had a 89 that i put 3 transfer cases in over a year and a half,[ truck was a farm truck and was used to pull trailers and plow snow] the internal oil pump kept failing and destroying the things, one mechanic said those 1350 series transfer cases were not one of fords brighter ideas,

RCP · Nov 2, 2008

If you are interested, my brother has a "92 F-250 extended cab, 7.3 Diesel, 5 speed, 8" bed XLT that he is going to sell cheap (~$2500). Bed, fenders and cab corners are bad. Aprox 125,000 miles. located in Grove City PA, about 60 miles north of Pittsburg.

rrlund · Nov 2, 2008

Don't know about the 7.3,but I'm still driving my 85 6.9. No trouble and have no intention of upgrading any time soon.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 2, 2008

The original front drive belt system isn't real great. Friend has had several belt failures which have come at inopportune times. He now carries a spare belt and tools, even though it isn't an easy to change. Ford offers an up-grade but costs more than $1000. Can't remember the details but does include an automatic belt tensioner which I don't believe his has.

Clarkbug · Nov 2, 2008

Thanks for the info all, and for the offer RCP.

Im looking to try and find a truck that hasnt been all rusted out if I can help it. Bodywork has never been my thing.

Ill have to do some more digging, and figure out how much Ill have to put into this thing in the next little bit. I know once you get into bigger trucks, everything is bigger, including the repair bills. I dont know how many of those I can swing.

However, its good to know that there dont seem to be any big negatives thus far with that model/year....

Goose · Nov 2, 2008

One of my wife's brothers had an '89 F-350 2wd crew cab dually with the 7.3 that I borrowed occasionally. The only problem I know of that he had was, like someone else said, the glow plug relay went kaput once.

The only thing I'd be concerned about on that truck is, also like someone else said, is the transfer case. Along about those years, Ford had an idea to put an oil pump in the bottom of the transfer case to pump oil to the top of the case. Great idea, but they used a Mickey Mouse pump that was prone to failure, causing the top end of the transfer case to starve for oil resulting in accelerated depreciation of the transfer case.

I'd say it would not be a truck to shy away from.

JDemaris · Nov 2, 2008

I still have my 85 F250 4WD with the 6.9 diesel, as well as a 94 F250 4WD with the 7.3 turbo (early IDI engine - NOT Powerstroke). 180,000 miles on the 85 and 280,000 on the 94. No major problems, ever, with either of them - but they are well maintained.
No drivebelt problems, transfer case problems, glow plug problems, etc. The 85 has V-belts, and the 94 has one sepentine.

Only bad thing I've got to say about either is fuel mileage. They are not near as good as my 92 Dodge W250 with the Cummins 5.9 diesel.

If the truck sounds and runs good, and no one has been using ether to start it, it's probably a good buy if priced right.

In regard to running with WVO anything with a Stanadyne/Roosmaster rotary pump is the worst possible choice. A diesel with an inline pump can handle it much better. With trucks, the only choice is a Dodge-Cummins 5.9, 93 and newer for a few years. 92 has a CAV rotary.

RCP · Nov 2, 2008

No problem, found out he sold it Saturday.

tomNE · Nov 2, 2008

I got a nice 90 f250 4x4 with 75000 actual miles.
looks nice, xlt lariet, 5sp. has all the options except elec windows.
i have no more use for the truck, i"d sell real reasonable. gray in color.

Glen D Anderson · Nov 2, 2008

"They are not near as good as my 92 Dodge W250 with the Cummins 5.9 diesel." Pretty hard to beat those Cummins(I own a Ford as well incidently! BUT rather had a Cummins)...........

BTW Why is WVO harder on rotary pumps than inline pumps? Cleanliness VS tolerances?

RodinNS · Nov 2, 2008

Never had a Ford truck with an IH engine myself... and I don't want one personally.
I know several people who did have them. One had excellent service from his and put over 400000 KM of heavy hauling on it. The rest used them for runabouts... and I don't think there was a good one among them. Glow plugs, hard starting, oil consumption etc... Some of them went so far as to haul the damn thing out and drop a 302 in the hole.
That may well have been a maintenance issue more than anything with most of them... but consider that there's some of them out there like that.

Personally, if I was looking for a diesel truck it would be a Dodge and ONLY a Dodge... although I've always been more fond of Ford's generally.
From that vintage Ford though... I'd stay with the windsor.
At that time the Cummins was the best engine available in a truck, and still is as far as I'm concerned.

Rod

Southtowns27 · Nov 2, 2008

I had an '86 F-250 4x4 with the IH 6.9 and a 4 speed. I replaced it with a '96 Dodge 3500 4x4 dually 5 speed Cummins. The Cummins will run circles around the 6.9 or 7.3 anyday and get good mileage doing it. My IH ALWAYS started no matter what, but from what I've heard, I was lucky to have one that'd do that. I guess they're also prone to head gasket failures so look into that as well. The truck definately sounds like it's worth looking at. Check the body out really good, once they start rusting around the wheelwells, everything else follows very soon after.

JimmyU · Nov 2, 2008

I have a F-350 dully with 7.3, when first got it (used) it seemed ok until I put trailer and tractor behind it. It is auto. trans. wouldn't pull worth nothing, would down shift on the slightest grade, give $200.00 for a used chip for the computer, had friend install it, you would not believe the difference it made in that truck, it runs like a scalded dog now, but I had to replace the relay for the glow plugs last week also. Fuel mi. down after changing chip also.

Clarkbug · Nov 3, 2008

Thanks for all the personal info and experiences fellows, thats exactly the sort of thing I am looking to find out.

The one thing that definitely worries me is what JDemaris mentioned about the rotary vs. inline pump for WVO. I definitely wouldnt be looking at this truck without the thought of the conversion, so Ill have to do some more looking around before I can pull the trigger on it. Im pretty sure it only takes one pump failure to ruin the savings of the veggie oil.

1936 · Nov 3, 2008

Move on down the road. Even chipped up you will have the Chey and Dodges blow you off the road loaded.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 3, 2008

There is a huge differance between a 6.9 and a 7.3 powerstroke.

HeyPigFarmer · Nov 3, 2008

Ya gotta know the design before anything. There is a big difference between the 6.9/7.3 IDI and the 7.3 powerstroke. The powerstroke was direct inject and electronically controlled. Started better, ran better, faster, more power, more reliability. The older engines were indirect inject (IDI) started harder, didn't have the power or the speed to them that the direct inject engines had. The 7.3 IDI is just a 6.9 IDI bored out. The 6.9 was actually a slightly better engine in some regards because it had the thicker cylinder walls that were less prone to cavitation issues if the owner didn't use the SCA/DCA/anti-freeze treatment. Some of the IDI's came with a nylon gear to drive the injection pump, chances are this has been changed by now because they would fail quite often.

But as far as problems go, other than the lack of speed, keep your glow plugs, batteries, and filters good, keep an eye on your SCA and you should never really have a problem with it.

Mike (WA) · Nov 3, 2008

I've had all three (6.9 Ford, Powerstroke, and Cummins Dodge)- I would take the Cummins over either of the others. That being said, the 6.9 was a good rig in its day, and I wouldn't be afraid of one if that's as much as the wallet will allow. 6.9 had three different relays controlling the glow plug solenoid, and were a weak point. Not only from not activating the glow plugs, but also from coming on when you're on the freeway, and cooking them. After the second set of plugs, I just bypassed the solenoid with 10 guage wires to a heavy amperage button I installed under the dash. Get a feel for how long to push the button before starting, and no more glow plug problems.

Glen D Anderson · Nov 3, 2008

"Even chipped up you will have the Chey and Dodges blow you off the road loaded."

How do you "chip up" an '89 Ford 7.3L ???

dieseldoc · Nov 3, 2008

those motors are alot stronger than most people think. I got 3 trucks with the 7.3 idi turbo (not powerstroke) and two of them take about a can of ether a week to get started but they will not quit once you get them started.They might not be a match for the cummins but we run them hard and they just keep on going.I have got two other trucks that had the 7.3 I ran them real hard untill they quit then put 6bt cummins engines in them. IMO no one builds a truck as tough as a 87-97 F-350 and we have had all brands around here.

OT: Opinions on older Ford Diesel pickups?

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