I worked as a Ford tech in the late 80s early to mid 90s in the midwest. I worked on countless 6.9 and 7.3 IDIs. Nine times out of 10 cold star issues were weak batteries, bad cables, dirty connections or operator errors.
every idi I had got an industrial application gear reduction starter, easy enough since the motor uses a sae starter pattern. Even my clapped out turd would start without ether
300 inline 6 enjoyers out here just having no issues because 4.9s are the more loyal of engines. I think peg would agree. Thank you for the great video and God bless. Remember all things for the glory of God.
I’ve built IDIs. What it’s missing is lower compression to get actual horsepower from intercooling/turbocharging it. At that point pistons are too weak to handle heat. They are however cheap and underpowered enough to last forever. Good farm truck. I know their limitations but I like them.
ok so who do i go to for pistons and rods? i want to do a twin turbo idi. only maybe 10psi at most, i just want the spoolies and dual exhaust noises haha
@@rattyratstuff7125r&d offers 7.3 power stroke rods converted for idi use for about $800. They used to offer a piston shaving and ceramic coating service but I don't see it on the website anymore
I worked as a truck mechanic at a Ford-only truck dealership from '81-'04. I was jazzed when they announced the upcoming diesel truck in 82 and couldn't wait to get one. Mine is an early production '83 (yeah, thin block) F250 XLT 2wd with a/c and 3.54 limited slip as the only options. I've had it 40 years in mid-March. It has given me great service but only has 140k miles on it (I always commuted to work on motorcycles). I put 3 injection pumps, two water pumps, a vacuum pump, one set of glow plugs, one thermostat, a set of valve cover gaskets and one fuel return kit on in that time. Still has the original injectors. The power steering pump, gear, hoses and fluid are original and don't leak (I hope I'm not jinxing the thing by mentioning all this). I added a coolant filter and for several years had a spin-on Luberfiner bypass oil filter installed (just cause I could- I've since removed that). While I was at the dealership I scrounged exhaust tubing and a muffler from a medium duty 7.8L truck and fabricated a low restriction exhaust. Ran it on our chassis dyno before and after- picked up about 10hp (!) LOL. Got all the way to 120hp at the wheels. 4 speed with 3.54s it returned exactly 20mpg on a vacation pulling a 13' travel trailer (the segment was 700 miles round trip from Flagstaff to Albuquerque to Flagstaff at the same pump). I was happy with that, but it could definitely use a little more grunt. All in all it's been a great truck and definitely paid for itself.
I don't want to brag but my EFI big block truck returned 6mpg pulling a 20' tandem axle flatbed with my 86 SVO on it. Same gear ratio but mines a 3x4. Traclok rear and open front!
Wow, I WISH my 6.9 got 20mpg! I might actually keep it if it did, lol. Sadly, mine sits in front of an automatic transmission, and a 4.10 rear axle with duallies, and it only pulls ~13.5mpg. It's got a Banks Turbo, and all those other components do mean it can pull practically anything. But it's just not economical for my uses these days.
I just drove across Washington state and back to pick up a 35 ft trailer. 16k empty weight with the trailer. Averaged 9.5-10 mpg for the whole trip. Around 550 miles. 94 IDI factory turbo
@travislivengood2744 That's not fair 😂. My small block (351w) EFI gets about 8 unloaded and is too gutless to pull itself, let alone a hill with a trailer 😂
My favorite thing about 6.9 IDI’s is that the displacement of 6.9 liters corresponds to 420 cubic inches. Absolutely amazing... Also, always good to have a couple of spare dump IDI’s around the shop. I got one off a guy named mr love who lived in a trailer, we call it the love motor. Only the Highest quality power for these trusty Stallions
I worked for Ford dealers back when these were new. They were good engines that had very few issues. The occasional block crack in the first models around the block heater were handled in most cases under warranty. The early glow plug controllers were less than ideal but they did work, but we converted many over to the new style. The occasional bad lift pump or injection pump, or leaking return o rings were all we saw. In 25 years at Ford dealers I think I only had to replace two of those motors, one had 361k, the other over 700k. I had three 6.9L engines, one in an '86 F250, the second in an early 1987 F350, and one in an '84 Ford Cutaway motorhome. (I also had two IDI 7.3 engines, an '88, and a '94 before buying my first Powerstroke in 1997). Power wise the turbo charged DI engines have win hands down but for reliability under any condition the IDI would be my first choice of the two types. I only wish they had gone a different route both for the cold start options and the fuel return lines. If they had gone to a common rail system with an intake heater we'd have had a much simpler easier to start engine.
@VB-bk1lh i wish they would design something to bypass or replace the late oil coolers, bought one and found the failure of a plugged rear header and the metal fell away 500 for a used one in decent shape until the spring fails and causes oil bypass issues
My 94 7.3 turbo idi runs up to 18lbs of boost and starts whenever I tell it to. You're dead on with the fuel return lines, a good pump and good glow plugs. Your biggest tip is the starter. Parts house starters suck for these engines.
Fantastic job on this video Colt! This was totally different from what you normally do. But that being said it was great to learn about the 6.9 idi. I always loved learning the history of how things came about. Pretty neat how these old engines came factory with lots of goodies. I also think the 54 international getting a 6.9 is very fitting. Not to mention how awesome it's going to look rolling coal through the streets! Keep up the awesome content Colt. Cheers 🍻
@@highostablegarage I believe it! Finding all the clips and editing them in then doing a voice-over on top of that is alot of work. Great job nonetheless
Great video! I myself have a ‘93 F350 Dually with the 7.3 IDI NA mated to a E40D trans and it certainly has a special charm to it that my other trucks don’t. It rides like a log wagon and you can turn the steering wheel from 12 to 3 before ever turning but that’s more on Ford than International. On mine I built a custom Fuel Filter -> Holley Red Electric Fuel Pump -> Fuel Filter mounted on the frame rail that turns on with the ignition. So much easier to start compared to the lift pump on the block. Also rewired all the glow plugs and bypassed the relay in the back to a new one that connects to a button on the dash. Most summer days I don’t need to even use them down here in TN. In the winter I just plug it in. Have a block heater and battery tender all wired up together and just cycle the plugs twice and fires up immediately. Save yourself the misery and always go with Motorcraft plugs too! The Autolites swell up and are a PITA to extract. Ask me how I know… As of now the new return lines aren’t leaking but once they do i’m considering getting some billet aluminum ones. Also had to put a new injection pump and 2 re-manned injectors. The only leaks are the valve cover and the oil pan gasket. My dad bought it in 1996 and I hope to keep it alive and well long enough for my kids to enjoy! Though I would like to buy a clapped out one to beat up like good ole Slave Lake!!!
AC12G glow plug conversion is what i used in my 7.3l idi fords starter solenoid and a push button that thar glow plug was used on a 4.3l v6 GM garbage but they are 12 volt push and go not like that silly mess mine had that failed all the time
Very well done video. Glad to see a lot of solid information put forth for once instead of the usual myths. Also glad to see I made the video lol. I still have a lot of these things but I have not done much with them in recent years. Once life isn’t so busy I want to get back into building some crazy stuff.
Actually, Navistar was the result of the breakup of International Harvester. The truck and engine division became Navistar International while the farm machinery division merged with J I Case to become Case IH.
1986 f250 6.9 diesel was my first diesel i bought it for $400 and used it for 7 years to start my tree bussiness and i loved that truck , i put a easydump on it with a wood box and chipped into it although i needed more springs in the rear , but needless to say i fell in love with diesel motors and had every international engine from 6.9 idi to 7.3 idi then the turbo idi 7.3 then im curently driving a 2000 excursion 7.3 , most reliable diesel ever built imo....
😮 You da Mann !!! Just Inheirited a Reg. cab 84 dually 4wd 6.9 4spd " Hasnt started for 10 yrs. Superb Vid..& channel !" Your Info. was Exactly what ive been looking for !" 😁👍" Thanks Friend !" & Keep up the Great Work !" ❤👍
Awesome video! I bought an 87 F-250 last year with the original 6.9 and 4 speed. What a great truck. Mine has a well maintained starting system and barked right off in single digits last year unplugged. Kinda made me wonder what the fuss was about with them being cold blooded. I ended up doing the injectors and return lines and I was shocked to find what I believe were the original injectors still in the truck. The date stamp on the vin tag in the door shows the truck being built in may of 87, the injectors were all stamped 2-87. Looking forward to more IDI content down the road!
My 6.9 that I swapped into my truck has been neglected all it’s life has non working glow plugs and still comes to life in a few seconds on cold days imo proper timing is the most important
Once you got them started they did good, early nineties we had a community plow truck we had one in a Mason dump I don't remember the year , great on fuel but hard starting, but very very dependable, and ran forever.
Someone may have already mentioned in the comments, but that hypermax built idi drag truck popped back up on a forum last year and is supposedly making a comeback. Guy was known as "Dadiesel" or something like that
I love these idis they sound mean, loud and they smoke alot if your into that, but they just wont make much power bud but itll be interesting to see what you can max out of the thing
i had a early 90s crew cab dually, 7.3 IDI. hadit tuned up to pull horses, a local diesel injection shop re do the pump, banks turbo kit with an air to air, granny shifting the ZF 5 spd it went 13s. 400,000 miles later it still runs, just use it as a parts/lunch runner, is still fun stop light to stop light.
The 88 - 92 Ford trucks are my favorite body design but I've seen so many warnings about the diesel motors every time I researched them I started looking at swaps. Never pulled the trigger on one though. I did own a 89 with a 460 that was a great truck. My dad owned a 85 Ford diesel and it couldn't get out of it's own way. That was the last truck he bought new
I had an 86’ F350 with the 6.9L. It turned 98 hp to the rear wheels with maximum normal aspirated tune. I installed a Banks turbo kit which brought that up the 198 hp with optimal tune(not to much smoke). I sure do miss it. It had 325k on it when I sold it. I wish it had been a crew cab.
I have an 03 f350 with the dreaded 6.0, going to engine swap it. Was set on a 12v swap, but the prices on a clapped out 12v needing a rebuild is sky high these days. So i was thinking about an IDI swap as i had one back in the 80's, it wasn't fast but was pretty much bulletproof and one can be found fairly cheaply to rebuild. Thanks for the video
I love working on the ol IDIs. Bought a 7.3 F250 that had a dropped lifter and chewed cam lobe. Did an in frame and custom grind on the cam and woke that sleepy girl up. Then I did a 12v Cummins swap
I use to have a 7.3 idi that put out 800 hp and 1200 Flt.Lts. shame it got stolen and found later burnt to a crisp and blown up But it was not that hard the only issue was keeping them from going Kaboom after 2-3 runs but you can make the 6.9 and 7.3 idi Runs very well and Safe at 290 hp 555 ftlbs with no issues as daily driver
I have a studded 6.0 that I daily drive, but I have a 7.3 IDI that sits nowadays, and this makes me really want to give it the overhaul... New pistons and rings and rods, I know, what about bottom end?
Awesome video man! Love my 6.9 in my 84 F-250, wanting to put one in my 76 highboy but not sure I have the mechanical ability to take on that project. Keep up the good work and good luck on the International project!
Got a 91 w/ the 7.3 w/ 5sp ZF5 & 2wd. Can get about 21 but gotten as high as 23. An OP put 3in (might be 4) straight pipe on it. Converted the GPs to manual by bypassing the automatic side of the controller which had died. Thing is just parked at the moment. I like the sound of that thing...kinda miss driving it too.
These engines are so legendary I'm thinking about putting one in my 93 Chevy dually schlongbox when the ol' big block finally goes. See it's okay, because it's really an Intersmashional....lol. It's awesome they put so many in dirty ol school buses and small dump and grain trucks as the 444TE....well that's technically the powerstroke but still a damn good motor.
The 6.9l v8 non turbo stands out strong like the great 4.9l 300ci . These are trucks that will probably outlast most of the junk coming out of the factories today. Simplicity, reliable and easy to work on and affordable. People who actually need pickups.
You mentioned your idi is 2° advanced on the static timing, how much did you turn the pump over towards the passenger side? I've been told to go a dimes width, I've been wanting to advanced my 6.9 a bit to help with better acceleration, recently I was in a rush and took off to work with my cold timing advance still on and the truck felt way better and when it kicked off it went back to being a dog lol feels like I'm always pulling a trailer, so I'm hoping advancing the pump a bit will give me a similar feel and more pep, 86 6.9 C6 4X4, awesome work on the video I loved it 🍻
Dude I have run across your videos before But Man you got me. Love the way you put this together. Love the information, it looks like you really did your research. and it explains why my 88 7.3 idi gave up the (I ain't got no money for maintenance) goat and quit on me.
I had a 1987 ford f250 with zf 5speed. .with a 6.9. With ats intake with garet turbo. .i put a 7.3. And took every thing from the 6.9 and bolted it all on to the 7.3. That truck was fking sick
I have a 7.3 turbo 1994 international / navistar / mercruiser this engine is in a 28 foot speed boat baja hull coupled to a bravo 3 . Super cheap on fuel and tons of reliable power 👌
I know this is unrelated to the main topic but seeing as how ziptiesnbiasplies commented on here, here goes. I have a negative camber on my 91 F250 7.3 idi. The two front tires look great when driving forward, however when i back up in reverse they go / \. I have TTB dana 50s. Ive heard it normal on these trucks especially when lifted but how can i fix this? RUclips videos dont really help.
Front pivot basket bushings are worn in, if you want to remove that side effect completely you pretty much have to put centre pivot bushings in these trucks every two years, I did mine 3 years ago and already its starting again.
I always thought the hypermax story was BS. Most dynos couldn’t measure that much power and torque in the early 90’s. I don’t doubt the possibility of that power. But you had more info than I’ve ever seen about that truck on the forums in the last 20 years, and the pics! Never saw pics before, that makes it seem way more credible than I’ve ever thought.
My first truck was a 1986 f250 rwd, when the glow plugs are wore out and the fuel pumps are on the way out the door and the fuel issue going back to the tank. Squirting some gasoline in the breather always wprked but on occasion i had to put out a hood fire when it backfires. Just dont add too much or it trys locking up and takes a few key cycles to start. As for the batteries just stick a chunk of penny in between the battery terminal so the penny will oxidize before the terminals.
I have a 1985 F250 6.9 4x4 manual that runs great. My issue is all the crumbling wiring. I need to completely rewrite the entire truck. Oh and can’t forget the play in the steering wheel.
I have an 89 7.3idi in my 71 F250. My previous truck with this engine was a 69 F250, but the chassis just couldn't handle the weight and torque. This current one is on an 85 chassis that originally had a 6.9 and four speed, along with 3.07 gears. I had planned on swapping out to a 3.54 gearset, but having put a few thousand miles on this I think the high gears will stay. It does 80-85 all day turning in high teens to low 20s.
Starter speed is critical for ANY diesel. No mater if NA or turbocharged, only boost system that makes boost on the starter is a blower. To slow of a piston speed allows too much time for the cylinder walls and piston to cool the air below combustion temperature. Had trouble with my starter in my Cummins not spinning fast enough required touching the throttle to fire off. 3 starters in I discovered the crimp on the lug was not tight going to the battery.
I'm a fan of Ford design remote relay, I convert all my rigs. Run a #10jumper from the power to the start pin,run som 00 or0000 cable from power to relay where it's easy to get to for maintenance purposes like bumping the motor over settin valves, my 91.5 bump starts on the first compression cycle on the key. Plus when a shop gets instructions DO NOT START . They'll have hell trying to not follow instructions( especially when they refuse an introduction to a customized truck, they thought the motor had to be running to make the cable shifter work¿. Crushed oil pan into rotating assembly ,cault shop with a vom tryingto find the trigger wire and helped them push it into the shop. They still refused an introduction, week later they said pull the cab to get the Allison unbotled and 3k more. So i did the oil pan my self.)
My 1983 6.9 was one of the very first to be produced and had a fatal flaw. The glow plug system had an additional relay that was eliminated in later versions. Although it used the same controller/components otherwise. It was never made clear to me what the additional relay controlled. After untold numbers of cold start problems with multiple changes of (I thought) all of the components, the system started coming on going down the highway and of course melted the glow plugs and destroyed 3 cylinders. At the time these were very expensive to repair and it was pulled in favor of the 460. I still own the truck in very good condition and have a Cummins/Allison replacement for the gas hog.
I knew max lagod of hypermax . Max was crazy about racing along with his dad. I am still good friends with a fella who works at hypermax in the injection room. I bet I can find out if that motor is still around.
My favorite moment with this engine was in Fringe where an EMP from a device that David Robert Jones is using to colapse the town and it's alternate universe version, doesn't do jack versus a mechanical diesel powering an old schoolbus.
I met that guy with the hyper max 6.9 it was a tilt body f-100 it took 3 or4 cans of ether to get to fire it ran at great lakes drag strip and took for ever to build boost
They had fine power from the factory, I’ve owned dozens of 6.9 7.3 and Chevy 6.2 and 6.5s and the 7.3 with an e4od was perfectly fine as a work truck in stock form. I later got a 94 powerstroke that must’ve had a detuned fleet engine or something, because it was WEAK!
A IDI that handle's 147psi? Yet my last IDI I owned Didn't last a full week with just a few pound's. I added a Banks Sidewinder and after one weekend the both heads were literally cracked in half
Never heard of them cracking before head wise, where did it crack on the head? Ive had a few 302s crack out between the intake and exhaust valve guides but that was due to running lean
I have a 94 7.3 IDIT. I put in new injectors and had the pump rebuilt and had it running good but was still fighting air intrusion. I bought some R&D billet return rails for the injectors and had it running but had some leaks. So I took everything back apart and replaced some torn o-rings. Once I had it all back together it would not start whatsoever. To be certain that fuel was getting to the filter housing and to the injection pump I put an electric lift pump and deleted the mechanical. Still won’t start, fuel is not getting past the pump to the injectors at all. Took a look at the fuel shut of solenoid and replaced it to be sure and still nothing. Ran a hot wire from the battery to the positive on the solenoid and still nothing. New battery’s and starter as well. Sort of an SOS if you see this. Hoping the pump I had rebuilt didn’t take a dump some how.
When dealing with these engines they can be real SOBs if the return line system is ever touched, best way is to manually bleed each line by cracking the injectors while turning it over, then tightening them before trying again. If I was you I would double make sure you have fuel going into the pump and fuel coming out, if you still don’t have fuel coming out you might have a cloggers mesh filter on the inlet of the pump, it sits behind the fuel line.
@@highostablegarage fuel is for sure getting to the pump but definitely not past the pump. I’ve tried bleeding the lines one by one and all at once and still got nothing.
PS: I had found a time slip from the truck years ago, it was a picture of the time slip laying on the hood/fender of the truck. I will see if I can track that down
You know what i was thinking that could make this video better the whole time? Clips of movies and other videos along with memes. You should put some in
I have a 1986 f250 4x2 with a 6.9 with C6 that burys the speedo no problem and im sure goes at least 100mph. Now the injection pump was out on it when i got it and i had one from an old school bus that i put on it. It boils black smoke and is faster thsn any 6.9 ive ever owned before it or after it. Its faster than any of my 7.3idis too.
AC12G glow plug conversion is what i used in my 7.3l idi fords starter solenoid and a push button that thar glow plug was used on a 4.3l v6 GM garbage but they are 12 volt push and go not like that silly mess mine had that failed all the time
ohh hey that old 7.3 idi that I used to own must of been that 1,200 h.p engine and i didnt know it as it took 3 full cans of ether to get to start on a 80f day
I'm surprised more people haven't been using these IDI engines in their turbo diesel builds. They were the reason Dodge had to contract with Cummins to get into market.
Slave lake has at least, tens of horse powers! Almost a hundred horse power on the ether!
Haha 😂 basically a 100 shot with the can
And the CHEECH is real!..... how dare you!
This guy is like sawed off , except he can speak pretty good , doesn’t give off the rape vibes. And I think someone might actually care about him.
It's only 100hp if you use the john deere ether.
Slave lake, one of the best ways to convert fuel and cosby sauce into noise and smoke sans horsepower
I worked as a Ford tech in the late 80s early to mid 90s in the midwest. I worked on countless 6.9 and 7.3 IDIs. Nine times out of 10 cold star issues were weak batteries, bad cables, dirty connections or operator errors.
You are very right, these engines need to spin decently fast for reliable starting
These things eat batteries for breakfast
Starter was my issue. Tired starter ….
"operator errors" would that be not enough Ether?
every idi I had got an industrial application gear reduction starter, easy enough since the motor uses a sae starter pattern. Even my clapped out turd would start without ether
300 inline 6 enjoyers out here just having no issues because 4.9s are the more loyal of engines. I think peg would agree. Thank you for the great video and God bless. Remember all things for the glory of God.
I completely agree 👌
But a 300six is gutless
@@SVOceanBird Stock, yeah. But they can make great power with very little modification
I’ve built IDIs. What it’s missing is lower compression to get actual horsepower from intercooling/turbocharging it. At that point pistons are too weak to handle heat. They are however cheap and underpowered enough to last forever. Good farm truck. I know their limitations but I like them.
You have given me the knowledge to unlock unlimited power
ok so who do i go to for pistons and rods? i want to do a twin turbo idi. only maybe 10psi at most, i just want the spoolies and dual exhaust noises haha
@@rattyratstuff7125r&d offers 7.3 power stroke rods converted for idi use for about $800. They used to offer a piston shaving and ceramic coating service but I don't see it on the website anymore
@@rattyratstuff7125don't
@@JayAR_YTwhy not
I worked as a truck mechanic at a Ford-only truck dealership from '81-'04. I was jazzed when they announced the upcoming diesel truck in 82 and couldn't wait to get one. Mine is an early production '83 (yeah, thin block) F250 XLT 2wd with a/c and 3.54 limited slip as the only options. I've had it 40 years in mid-March.
It has given me great service but only has 140k miles on it (I always commuted to work on motorcycles).
I put 3 injection pumps, two water pumps, a vacuum pump, one set of glow plugs, one thermostat, a set of valve cover gaskets and one fuel return kit on in that time.
Still has the original injectors. The power steering pump, gear, hoses and fluid are original and don't leak (I hope I'm not jinxing the thing by mentioning all this).
I added a coolant filter and for several years had a spin-on Luberfiner bypass oil filter installed (just cause I could- I've since removed that).
While I was at the dealership I scrounged exhaust tubing and a muffler from a medium duty 7.8L truck and fabricated a low restriction exhaust. Ran it on our chassis dyno before and after- picked up about 10hp (!) LOL. Got all the way to 120hp at the wheels.
4 speed with 3.54s it returned exactly 20mpg on a vacation pulling a 13' travel trailer (the segment was 700 miles round trip from Flagstaff to Albuquerque to Flagstaff at the same pump). I was happy with that, but it could definitely use a little more grunt.
All in all it's been a great truck and definitely paid for itself.
I don't want to brag but my EFI big block truck returned 6mpg pulling a 20' tandem axle flatbed with my 86 SVO on it. Same gear ratio but mines a 3x4. Traclok rear and open front!
Wow, I WISH my 6.9 got 20mpg! I might actually keep it if it did, lol. Sadly, mine sits in front of an automatic transmission, and a 4.10 rear axle with duallies, and it only pulls ~13.5mpg. It's got a Banks Turbo, and all those other components do mean it can pull practically anything. But it's just not economical for my uses these days.
@@richardconnor2871 I was trying to max out the mpg. All interstate at no more than 55mph. Tough to do when even the semis are all going 70+.
I just drove across Washington state and back to pick up a 35 ft trailer. 16k empty weight with the trailer. Averaged 9.5-10 mpg for the whole trip. Around 550 miles. 94 IDI factory turbo
@travislivengood2744 That's not fair 😂. My small block (351w) EFI gets about 8 unloaded and is too gutless to pull itself, let alone a hill with a trailer 😂
My favorite thing about 6.9 IDI’s is that the displacement of 6.9 liters corresponds to 420 cubic inches. Absolutely amazing...
Also, always good to have a couple of spare dump IDI’s around the shop. I got one off a guy named mr love who lived in a trailer, we call it the love motor. Only the Highest quality power for these trusty Stallions
Yes sir it’s pretty neat for it’s displacement haha, can’t have too many of them
Nice. Best number combo you could ask for
That's what Pat George said
Your video is really good. Who ever did the editing did a great job. Keep it up.
I appreciate it 👌 they take quite a while to make haha 🤣
I worked for Ford dealers back when these were new. They were good engines that had very few issues.
The occasional block crack in the first models around the block heater were handled in most cases under warranty.
The early glow plug controllers were less than ideal but they did work, but we converted many over to the new style.
The occasional bad lift pump or injection pump, or leaking return o rings were all we saw. In 25 years at Ford dealers I think I only had to replace two of those motors, one had 361k, the other over 700k.
I had three 6.9L engines, one in an '86 F250, the second in an early 1987 F350, and one in an '84 Ford Cutaway motorhome.
(I also had two IDI 7.3 engines, an '88, and a '94 before buying my first Powerstroke in 1997). Power wise the turbo charged DI engines have win hands down but for reliability under any condition the IDI would be my first choice of the two types.
I only wish they had gone a different route both for the cold start options and the fuel return lines.
If they had gone to a common rail system with an intake heater we'd have had a much simpler easier to start engine.
Right on the money on that one
@VB-bk1lh i wish they would design something to bypass or replace the late oil coolers, bought one and found the failure of a plugged rear header and the metal fell away
500 for a used one in decent shape until the spring fails and causes oil bypass issues
My 94 7.3 turbo idi runs up to 18lbs of boost and starts whenever I tell it to. You're dead on with the fuel return lines, a good pump and good glow plugs. Your biggest tip is the starter. Parts house starters suck for these engines.
Yes sir, night and day difference on the starter
I loved my DB Electrical gear reduction unit - made the engine start far better.
That's way too much boost unless it's been built internally
How did you get that much boost ?
Only 18lbs?my 97 psd will bury a 30lb gauge
Fantastic job on this video Colt! This was totally different from what you normally do. But that being said it was great to learn about the 6.9 idi. I always loved learning the history of how things came about. Pretty neat how these old engines came factory with lots of goodies. I also think the 54 international getting a 6.9 is very fitting. Not to mention how awesome it's going to look rolling coal through the streets! Keep up the awesome content Colt. Cheers 🍻
Haha glad you liked it, this video took a while to edit haha 😂
@@highostablegarage I believe it! Finding all the clips and editing them in then doing a voice-over on top of that is alot of work. Great job nonetheless
@@rickyjessome4359 yes sir, the little green screen sections took a long time to figure out, same as the script. We will see how it goes haha
Great video!
I myself have a ‘93 F350 Dually with the 7.3 IDI NA mated to a E40D trans and it certainly has a special charm to it that my other trucks don’t. It rides like a log wagon and you can turn the steering wheel from 12 to 3 before ever turning but that’s more on Ford than International.
On mine I built a custom Fuel Filter -> Holley Red Electric Fuel Pump -> Fuel Filter mounted on the frame rail that turns on with the ignition. So much easier to start compared to the lift pump on the block.
Also rewired all the glow plugs and bypassed the relay in the back to a new one that connects to a button on the dash. Most summer days I don’t need to even use them down here in TN. In the winter I just plug it in. Have a block heater and battery tender all wired up together and just cycle the plugs twice and fires up immediately. Save yourself the misery and always go with Motorcraft plugs too! The Autolites swell up and are a PITA to extract. Ask me how I know…
As of now the new return lines aren’t leaking but once they do i’m considering getting some billet aluminum ones. Also had to put a new injection pump and 2 re-manned injectors. The only leaks are the valve cover and the oil pan gasket.
My dad bought it in 1996 and I hope to keep it alive and well long enough for my kids to enjoy! Though I would like to buy a clapped out one to beat up like good ole Slave Lake!!!
AC12G glow plug conversion is what i used in my 7.3l idi fords starter solenoid and a push button that thar glow plug was used on a 4.3l v6 GM garbage but they are 12 volt push and go not like that silly mess mine had that failed all the time
Very well done video. Glad to see a lot of solid information put forth for once instead of the usual myths. Also glad to see I made the video lol. I still have a lot of these things but I have not done much with them in recent years.
Once life isn’t so busy I want to get back into building some crazy stuff.
Actually, Navistar was the result of the breakup of International Harvester. The truck and engine division became Navistar International while the farm machinery division merged with J I Case to become Case IH.
1986 f250 6.9 diesel was my first diesel i bought it for $400 and used it for 7 years to start my tree bussiness and i loved that truck , i put a easydump on it with a wood box and chipped into it although i needed more springs in the rear , but needless to say i fell in love with diesel motors and had every international engine from 6.9 idi to 7.3 idi then the turbo idi 7.3 then im curently driving a 2000 excursion 7.3 , most reliable diesel ever built imo....
I had 3 of these! They are Incredible pieces of engineering. Loved that engine so much.
This was a great video, loved learning more about the 6.9 idi
Glad you liked it haha
😮 You da Mann !!!
Just Inheirited a Reg. cab 84 dually 4wd 6.9 4spd "
Hasnt started for 10 yrs.
Superb Vid..& channel !" Your Info. was Exactly what ive been looking for !"
😁👍" Thanks Friend !"
& Keep up the Great Work !"
❤👍
Dang, tons of IDI info and generous amounts of memage? Subscribed!
More on the way haha 😂
Love the editing. Well played sir.
Appreciate it haha 😂
Awesome video! I bought an 87 F-250 last year with the original 6.9 and 4 speed. What a great truck. Mine has a well maintained starting system and barked right off in single digits last year unplugged. Kinda made me wonder what the fuss was about with them being cold blooded. I ended up doing the injectors and return lines and I was shocked to find what I believe were the original injectors still in the truck. The date stamp on the vin tag in the door shows the truck being built in may of 87, the injectors were all stamped 2-87. Looking forward to more IDI content down the road!
Yup, so far most of my 6.9s still have the factory injectors and are going strong
My 6.9 that I swapped into my truck has been neglected all it’s life has non working glow plugs and still comes to life in a few seconds on cold days imo proper timing is the most important
Awesome video. Makes me regret selling mine. but those were dark times. I will buy another. Had an 86 f250 xlt auto 2x4
Yes sir they are some great mills
Keep up the great videos
Just purchased my first 6.9L IDI ('87 250) and this was super helpful re. what work I know I'l be doing in the future!!
Glad it helped out haha 😂 yeah definitely do those return lines
Once you got them started they did good, early nineties we had a community plow truck we had one in a Mason dump I don't remember the year , great on fuel but hard starting, but very very dependable, and ran forever.
Man I love this channel already thanks peg for putting me onto this dude.
He’s a good fella haha, glad you liked it
Well done. Great info about the old coal roller
Haha glad you liked it 👌I quite like the old power plant
I found a company that makes billet single piece return rails for the 6.9/7.3. They were a pain to get on, but don’t leak and never will! 220 bucks.
What company is that? I’ve replaced the stock returns probably 5 times on mine, so I’d be very interested in that.
Dang, that -50c start is -58f impressive. I bet thinner oil would really help the starter.
Someone may have already mentioned in the comments, but that hypermax built idi drag truck popped back up on a forum last year and is supposedly making a comeback. Guy was known as "Dadiesel" or something like that
I love these idis they sound mean, loud and they smoke alot if your into that, but they just wont make much power bud but itll be interesting to see what you can max out of the thing
We will be building on in the future, just a matter of time
i had a early 90s crew cab dually, 7.3 IDI. hadit tuned up to pull horses, a local diesel injection shop re do the pump, banks turbo kit with an air to air, granny shifting the ZF 5 spd it went 13s. 400,000 miles later it still runs, just use it as a parts/lunch runner, is still fun stop light to stop light.
I have a 1985 6.9 idi swapped along with its original chassis underneath a 1964 c20 custom long bed and cab its a real dope truck
The 88 - 92 Ford trucks are my favorite body design but I've seen so many warnings about the diesel motors every time I researched them I started looking at swaps. Never pulled the trigger on one though. I did own a 89 with a 460 that was a great truck. My dad owned a 85 Ford diesel and it couldn't get out of it's own way. That was the last truck he bought new
Ran a 6.9 for years with no glow plugs,tiny shot of ether in morning. Started great rest of day.
I had an 86’ F350 with the 6.9L. It turned 98 hp to the rear wheels with maximum normal aspirated tune. I installed a Banks turbo kit which brought that up the 198 hp with optimal tune(not to much smoke). I sure do miss it. It had 325k on it when I sold it. I wish it had been a crew cab.
This is actually pretty dang cool. Thanks for the vid.
I have an 03 f350 with the dreaded 6.0, going to engine swap it. Was set on a 12v swap, but the prices on a clapped out 12v needing a rebuild is sky high these days. So i was thinking about an IDI swap as i had one back in the 80's, it wasn't fast but was pretty much bulletproof and one can be found fairly cheaply to rebuild. Thanks for the video
Glad you liked it 👌 I’ve always found for the Everyman the good old Idi is a solid engine
Sell that truck. Absolutely no reason to attempt a swap on the new vehicles
I love working on the ol IDIs. Bought a 7.3 F250 that had a dropped lifter and chewed cam lobe. Did an in frame and custom grind on the cam and woke that sleepy girl up. Then I did a 12v Cummins swap
I use to have a 7.3 idi that put out 800 hp and 1200 Flt.Lts. shame it got stolen and found later burnt to a crisp and blown up But it was not that hard the only issue was keeping them from going Kaboom after 2-3 runs but you can make the 6.9 and 7.3 idi Runs very well and Safe at 290 hp 555 ftlbs with no issues as daily driver
Yes sir they are quite reliable mills, always thought it would be cool to have one at an hp per cube
I have a studded 6.0 that I daily drive, but I have a 7.3 IDI that sits nowadays, and this makes me really want to give it the overhaul... New pistons and rings and rods, I know, what about bottom end?
😂 800hp idi
They get that diesel runaway.
I had an 87 one ton with the 6.9… I loved that truck. It wasn’t fast but it would drag anything I put behind it. Great engine.
Great vid! Been following your channel ever since I got one myself.
Glad to have you haha, they are great engines
Awesome video man! Love my 6.9 in my 84 F-250, wanting to put one in my 76 highboy but not sure I have the mechanical ability to take on that project. Keep up the good work and good luck on the International project!
12:52 saving this for later
Got a 91 w/ the 7.3 w/ 5sp ZF5 & 2wd. Can get about 21 but gotten as high as 23. An OP put 3in (might be 4) straight pipe on it. Converted the GPs to manual by bypassing the automatic side of the controller which had died. Thing is just parked at the moment. I like the sound of that thing...kinda miss driving it too.
These engines are so legendary I'm thinking about putting one in my 93 Chevy dually schlongbox when the ol' big block finally goes. See it's okay, because it's really an Intersmashional....lol. It's awesome they put so many in dirty ol
school buses and small dump and grain trucks as the 444TE....well that's technically the powerstroke but still a damn good motor.
Very interesting, ingormative and well produced!
The 6.9l v8 non turbo stands out strong like the great 4.9l 300ci . These are trucks that will probably outlast most of the junk coming out of the factories today. Simplicity, reliable and easy to work on and affordable. People who actually need pickups.
You mentioned your idi is 2° advanced on the static timing, how much did you turn the pump over towards the passenger side? I've been told to go a dimes width, I've been wanting to advanced my 6.9 a bit to help with better acceleration, recently I was in a rush and took off to work with my cold timing advance still on and the truck felt way better and when it kicked off it went back to being a dog lol feels like I'm always pulling a trailer, so I'm hoping advancing the pump a bit will give me a similar feel and more pep, 86 6.9 C6 4X4, awesome work on the video I loved it 🍻
Dude I have run across your videos before But Man you got me. Love the way you put this together. Love the information, it looks like you really did your research. and it explains why my 88 7.3 idi gave up the (I ain't got no money for maintenance) goat and quit on me.
Hey I’m glad you liked it, this one took as much time to make as an entire week of my normal videos haha 😂
@@highostablegarage oh I bet .that was allot of clip hunting and information gathering. Great Job Man.
Good video! Love my 68 F250 highboy with a 6.9L turbo and zf5.
I had a 1987 ford f250 with zf 5speed. .with a 6.9. With ats intake with garet turbo. .i put a 7.3. And took every thing from the 6.9 and bolted it all on to the 7.3. That truck was fking sick
Awesome Video Man!! Loved the American Psycho clip!
Haha 😂 I like it too
I have a 7.3 turbo 1994 international / navistar / mercruiser this engine is in a 28 foot speed boat baja hull coupled to a bravo 3 . Super cheap on fuel and tons of reliable power 👌
I know this is unrelated to the main topic but seeing as how ziptiesnbiasplies commented on here, here goes.
I have a negative camber on my 91 F250 7.3 idi. The two front tires look great when driving forward, however when i back up in reverse they go / \. I have TTB dana 50s. Ive heard it normal on these trucks especially when lifted but how can i fix this? RUclips videos dont really help.
Front pivot basket bushings are worn in, if you want to remove that side effect completely you pretty much have to put centre pivot bushings in these trucks every two years, I did mine 3 years ago and already its starting again.
I always thought the hypermax story was BS. Most dynos couldn’t measure that much power and torque in the early 90’s. I don’t doubt the possibility of that power. But you had more info than I’ve ever seen about that truck on the forums in the last 20 years, and the pics! Never saw pics before, that makes it seem way more credible than I’ve ever thought.
I’m working on a dedicated video about the hypermax engine itself, should put it to rest after that 👌
They came in the best looking fords too. Also the 1200 hp one looks similar to cnc fab making a p pump 7.3 powerstroke and drag racing that
I had one of each of the International gas motors and they were stout.😊
Lmao I know nothing about diesels but the memes are on point with this video and now I know a little.
Glad you liked them haha 😂
My first truck was a 1986 f250 rwd, when the glow plugs are wore out and the fuel pumps are on the way out the door and the fuel issue going back to the tank. Squirting some gasoline in the breather always wprked but on occasion i had to put out a hood fire when it backfires. Just dont add too much or it trys locking up and takes a few key cycles to start. As for the batteries just stick a chunk of penny in between the battery terminal so the penny will oxidize before the terminals.
I have a 1985 F250 6.9 4x4 manual that runs great. My issue is all the crumbling wiring. I need to completely rewrite the entire truck. Oh and can’t forget the play in the steering wheel.
My 1962 Buick 401 c.i. came with 425 ft lbs of torque from the factory!!!
I love my 6.9. Just got her board out by .020" and am waiting to get some boost to her
R&D IDI performance would be a great website to visit.
Justin is a good guy
When the last LS blows up, an IDI will take it to the junkyard.
@@levidecker nooo it'll be a 300-6. Gaaaah
I have an 89 7.3idi in my 71 F250. My previous truck with this engine was a 69 F250, but the chassis just couldn't handle the weight and torque. This current one is on an 85 chassis that originally had a 6.9 and four speed, along with 3.07 gears. I had planned on swapping out to a 3.54 gearset, but having put a few thousand miles on this I think the high gears will stay. It does 80-85 all day turning in high teens to low 20s.
Starter speed is critical for ANY diesel. No mater if NA or turbocharged, only boost system that makes boost on the starter is a blower.
To slow of a piston speed allows too much time for the cylinder walls and piston to cool the air below combustion temperature. Had trouble with my starter in my Cummins not spinning fast enough required touching the throttle to fire off. 3 starters in I discovered the crimp on the lug was not tight going to the battery.
Yes sir usually it’s something very simple, bad ground usually
Nice vid, keep it up.
I'm a fan of Ford design remote relay, I convert all my rigs. Run a #10jumper from the power to the start pin,run som 00 or0000 cable from power to relay where it's easy to get to for maintenance purposes like bumping the motor over settin valves, my 91.5 bump starts on the first compression cycle on the key. Plus when a shop gets instructions DO NOT START . They'll have hell trying to not follow instructions( especially when they refuse an introduction to a customized truck, they thought the motor had to be running to make the cable shifter work¿. Crushed oil pan into rotating assembly ,cault shop with a vom tryingto find the trigger wire and helped them push it into the shop. They still refused an introduction, week later they said pull the cab to get the Allison unbotled and 3k more. So i did the oil pan my self.)
Yes sir that’s a wild ride haha 😂 but I quite like them too, it’s a very simple but effect system
My 1983 6.9 was one of the very first to be produced and had a fatal flaw. The glow plug system had an additional relay that was eliminated in later versions. Although it used the same controller/components otherwise. It was never made clear to me what the additional relay controlled. After untold numbers of cold start problems with multiple changes of (I thought) all of the components, the system started coming on going down the highway and of course melted the glow plugs and destroyed 3 cylinders. At the time these were very expensive to repair and it was pulled in favor of the 460. I still own the truck in very good condition and have a Cummins/Allison replacement for the gas hog.
Did you do the Cummings conversation I'm thinking along those lines 4 my 96 F250 460 I can't afford the gas horrible milage like 8 on a good day lol
I knew max lagod of hypermax . Max was crazy about racing along with his dad. I am still good friends with a fella who works at hypermax in the injection room. I bet I can find out if that motor is still around.
Really Great info, I knew nothing of this engine and learned a lot. I could really do without the film clip cutaways though. 😊
the edits in this video is great
My favorite moment with this engine was in Fringe where an EMP from a device that David Robert Jones is using to colapse the town and it's alternate universe version, doesn't do jack versus a mechanical diesel powering an old schoolbus.
I met that guy with the hyper max 6.9 it was a tilt body f-100 it took 3 or4 cans of ether to get to fire it ran at great lakes drag strip and took for ever to build boost
They had fine power from the factory, I’ve owned dozens of 6.9 7.3 and Chevy 6.2 and 6.5s and the 7.3 with an e4od was perfectly fine as a work truck in stock form. I later got a 94 powerstroke that must’ve had a detuned fleet engine or something, because it was WEAK!
I had a 83 6.9 for 5 years it notoriously kept my wallet empty but when it ran right it was a beast my happiest Day was the day I sold it
Very nice video!
Thanks I appreciate it, it took a while to make haha
A IDI that handle's 147psi? Yet my last IDI I owned Didn't last a full week with just a few pound's. I added a Banks Sidewinder and after one weekend the both heads were literally cracked in half
Never heard of them cracking before head wise, where did it crack on the head? Ive had a few 302s crack out between the intake and exhaust valve guides but that was due to running lean
I have a 86 f250 6.9 with ats turbo. Only get 12 psi of boost with no issues as you state.
"Fix your electrical" smoke detector beeps.
Haha 😂
Fucking LOVE seeing ppl building IDIs. I have a 7.3 factory turbo F250 with a ZF5 and I love it.
Omg how have I not seen this I lost it at peg wheeling slave lake on the card lol
Great video!
Glad you liked it
I have a 94 7.3 IDIT. I put in new injectors and had the pump rebuilt and had it running good but was still fighting air intrusion. I bought some R&D billet return rails for the injectors and had it running but had some leaks. So I took everything back apart and replaced some torn o-rings. Once I had it all back together it would not start whatsoever. To be certain that fuel was getting to the filter housing and to the injection pump I put an electric lift pump and deleted the mechanical. Still won’t start, fuel is not getting past the pump to the injectors at all. Took a look at the fuel shut of solenoid and replaced it to be sure and still nothing. Ran a hot wire from the battery to the positive on the solenoid and still nothing. New battery’s and starter as well. Sort of an SOS if you see this. Hoping the pump I had rebuilt didn’t take a dump some how.
When dealing with these engines they can be real SOBs if the return line system is ever touched, best way is to manually bleed each line by cracking the injectors while turning it over, then tightening them before trying again. If I was you I would double make sure you have fuel going into the pump and fuel coming out, if you still don’t have fuel coming out you might have a cloggers mesh filter on the inlet of the pump, it sits behind the fuel line.
@@highostablegarage fuel is for sure getting to the pump but definitely not past the pump. I’ve tried bleeding the lines one by one and all at once and still got nothing.
@@tommygetz5867we had Idi boat shutdown suddenly during cruise turned out to Be broken injector pump shaft
The drag truck was discovered in a barn in jersey still have the motor in the f100
6.9L 420ci, it couldn’t get any better
The only big quality of life mod that you left out is the 3g alternator upgrade. Easy to install and dramatically improves/simplifies electrical.
Never had the 6.9 but have had 7.3 turbo since 97 with 468k miles and ill never own any other truck LOL!
I had an 84 f350. Never plugged in never failed to start quickly
Yes sir, sounds like you have a good unit
The detroit 6.2 idi was pretty amazing. Fuel mileage was awesome, weight to power ratio was not great, that is why it was reliable.
IDIs don’t get enough love!
PS: I had found a time slip from the truck years ago, it was a picture of the time slip laying on the hood/fender of the truck. I will see if I can track that down
I've also heard the legend of the 1200hp IDI. I never really believed it to be true, but I'd certainly like it to be
You know what i was thinking that could make this video better the whole time? Clips of movies and other videos along with memes. You should put some in
I have a 1986 f250 4x2 with a 6.9 with C6 that burys the speedo no problem and im sure goes at least 100mph. Now the injection pump was out on it when i got it and i had one from an old school bus that i put on it. It boils black smoke and is faster thsn any 6.9 ive ever owned before it or after it. Its faster than any of my 7.3idis too.
AC12G glow plug conversion is what i used in my 7.3l idi fords starter solenoid and a push button that thar glow plug was used on a 4.3l v6 GM garbage but they are 12 volt push and go not like that silly mess mine had that failed all the time
bought one brand new in 1987 in a F350. thanks for chiming in 37 years later
I really enjoyed the video and it taught me a lot. But also: please change your smoke detector batteries so that I can see more videos later!
I love those motors.
ohh hey that old 7.3 idi that I used to own must of been that 1,200 h.p engine and i didnt know it as it took 3 full cans of ether to get to start on a 80f day
Haha 😂 might have been
I'm surprised more people haven't been using these IDI engines in their turbo diesel builds. They were the reason Dodge had to contract with Cummins to get into market.
My idi had the sts turbo…. Absolute perfection for me