Lookin at a 89 7.3 IDI 4X4

[jrouse]

Guys:

Need some info from the experts. I am looking at a 89 7.3 IDI that only has 110,000 miles on it. Very clean truck. It's a 5 spd.

I am much more familiar with cummins engines. What are some things that I need to look out for. I am looking for a good solid dependable truck, and I have always heard these IDI's are simple and very reliable.

Please give me any thoughts advice you might have.

[FordGuy100]

Buy yourself some SCA coolant test strips. 7.3 IDI's are bored out 6.9 IDI's, so the cylinder walls are a little on the thin side. As long as it has had good SCA's in the coolant most of its life, the risk of cavitation is much less.

Other than that, have him NOT start it before you get there. You need a cold start (even if its 90* outside, once its been ran for a minute or two, it will mask over some possible bad area's). Get there, start it up. See how long it takes to fire off, should be imidiate. Check for cold start smoke, white, blue, black, grey. Grey/black is ok, the other two are kinda iffy.

Other than that, just the regular old looking overs. Ask how old the fuel system is (IP and injectors), unless they are factory grey color (stock, should know because the injector lines plus the return lines will be painted grey as well).

I love these trucks. A little underpowered, but parts are cheap, they are easy to work on (except for the space they take up under the hood), and they are reliable (if maintained properly, I mean we are talking about trucks that are at least 16 years old, as 94 was the last year an IDI came in).

[dieselpoweronly]

I don't mean to jack your thread but i didn't want to start a whole new thread on the same topic. I am also looking at a 7.3 idi and I havea cummins.

My other questions i what kind of mpgs are we looking at and how much do those change when you add a turbo?
Also what is a 7.3 idi with 174,xxx, 4x4, 5sp, with a good body and inteior worth? Thanks and again i am sorry if you didn't want me to ask questions

[Nonturbo]

I love the idi engines. They are very reliable. The turbos are suposed to help greatly. Havent taken the time to get mpg's. A nice truck would be worth up to 5G I would say but it depends on the truck.

[dieselpoweronly]

i should of jumped on it it was sitting on 1 ton chevy axles so it had a "stock" 6-8in lift rolling on 35s..and he wanted 4k probably could of gotten it for 3.5 argh..oh well another one will come around!