Guages - valid ranges??

[rcoe]

Hi, I hope this is the right place for this post. I looked in the tech files first. I have mostly stock truck - 99 F350 SD, 7.3. I have been having loss of power issues. I am getting some guages to help diagnose the problem. I have seen that many folks here run 3 guages - boost, tranny temp and pyrometer.

I bought a 35' gooseneck camper and am going to be pulling it. I have ordered a tranny and boost guage. Will hold off on the pyrometer due to it being so much more expensive.

I mentioned truck is mostly stock. It has the International Cam position sensor and I gave the waste actuator arm 3 turns to increase it's holding strength on the waste gate as I think it is opening and or sticking.

Anyway... with the afore mentioned 3 guages... can someone tell me what would be considered normal range and as well as the high end range (I guess I mean like the red line on a tack). Having the guages without knowing the ranges don't do me any good.

Why do the pryometer? What is it's usefulness to a stock truck pulling a camper? Do I really need it?

Thanks in advance.

[forddieseltweek]

The pyro is the most important one while towing, along with trans temp....

[Dave]

The pyro is the one that is gonna tell you if the exhaust temps are getting to hot. Anything over 1250 for more than a short time things start melting. Trans temp is next in order of importance anything over 225-230 pull over idle up and let er cool down. Boost basically is not all that important it kinda just looks cool

[rcoe]

Dave - thank you for the actual numbers - that is what I was looking for!

What is a high boost #? Under normal stock circumstances I don't think I could ever hit a dangerous level, but when things break on the vehicle, something might cause it to go way up. One of those things that if for some unknown reason while out on the road if boost starts running higher than normal, I will be wanting to know if I can drive it home or to the nearest shop.

[Marty]

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/7-3-mod-help/\

What to get a chip? Read here first!

[Dave]

With stock turbo and no mods you wont get much over 21psi on the boost level you are good to go there if you start seeing much over 30 for long periods then she might let go

[sldghamr]

it's my understanding that using the IH CPS on the Ford version of the 7.3 = less power. go to Ford to get that particular part