New to IDI's and the Powerstroke Forums

[RandallTom]

Hi. I recently purchased my first IDI truck. Its a 1987 F350 6.9L 4 speed 2x4 CCLB with 122,000 and a turbo. Its a pretty mean truck and I'm happy with it so far. I'm wanting to do some upgrades in the near future while I still have the extra money I had saved for the truck purchase. I really want to swap the 4 speed for a 5 speed, how difficult is this swap. I've heard different stories about this swap. Can I just use a 5 speed that was for an 87-94 diesel without changing the flywheel? The only problem with the truck is that I believe it has air in the fuel line. Sometimes when it has sat it will fire, die, and then crank for a while before it will start and run. Does this sound like air in the line? Do I need the return kit for the fuel line that I heard some people talking about or can I just bleed the air and be ok? Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for any input.

[FordGuy100]

Yes, sounds like air intrusion. A return line kit is a really good choice, basically like a basic gasser tune up kit, good to put on a newly purchased rig.

As far as the swap, I've heard you can use the 4 speed flywheel, but it gets tricky. Easiest thing to do is buy a clutch, pressure plate, flywheel combo. Other than that the tranny is a direct swap in. You will need a tranny tunnel piece, as its a different shape.

[RandallTom]

Thanks. I'll order the kit then. Will the flywheel, pressure plate etc. off of a 1990 7.3 5 speed work, or do I have to order the solid mass flywheel? I found a guy who is parting out his truck and he has all the parts I need, if they"ll work.

[FordGuy100]

A lot of guys prefer the solid mass flywheel. If he is parting it out, might wanna try to get his flywheel setup. Stock setups use dual mass flywheels, but if you can move the flywheel more than 1/4" its bad.

You will need:

Tranny, tranny tunnel pan, shift linkage, shifter, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, might want to get the pedal assembly. You should be good at that point.

I also think you have to move the tranny mount back about two inches with the ZF