I am looking for any info on the older Ford Deisels from the mid-80's. My grandfather has a mid 80's Ford F250 diesel and I am trying to find info on the motor it has and its HP & Torque ratings. What is there expected longevity miles wise? The motor is Naturally Aspirated Correct? What years had the 6.9L and when did they go to the 7.3L? Are these motors decent motors (I do realize they are not a PS or a Cummins power wise)? Thanks Harley
My neighbor has an '83 6.9 F250 so I have had a little experience with his. The engine runs great, yes it is an N/A motor but it runs good and has decent power for what it is. His has an auto. I would expect 200,000 miles out of the engine. 1983 was the first year for the 6.9 dieseI and I think they went to the 7.3 in '92-93. I know in '95 they went to the PSD because my grandpa has one with 270K on it. Those early Fords are good pickups.
The 7.3 came out in 1988. A turbo charged version of the 7.3 was available in late 1993, through 1994. Halfway through 1994 the PSD was introduced. Both the 6.9 and the 7.3 were very reliable motors. Maintaining the SCA levels in the coolant is key on these trucks so that cavitation doesnt occur. Getting 300k and upwards is not uncommon with these trucks, it just requires being maintained properly, just like everything else. The N/A 7.3 made 180hp and 360 tq in standard form, and 160hp in high altitude form. Not sure on the 6.9 power ratings, but my guess is they are between 20-30hp less.
like ford cummins said about the years, mine is 180hp version. The earlier 6.9s had thicker cylinder walls so the cavitation issue is less common, but the 7.3s are a different story. When you are lookin at vehicles bring along some fleetguard coolant test strips for the coolant, your testing for the sca's, ask the owner if he was aware of the additives that were needed, along with the usual PM stuff. As for the power of the old idi's its there, but nothing compared to todays modern diesels. They are naturally aspirated, so no turbo, but banks, ats, and hypermax all offer time tested turbos for the 6.9/7.3. On flatland with towing you can keep speed easily, but when you get to some hills and steep grades, it really works and can be slow to get to the top, but will always get to the top. I've heard in other forums were people got near 500,000 miles with only work on the heads, the valvtrain is the weak link there. IH claims that the engines have a 300,000 mile service life. Were the power is lacking theres a flip side, cost. My NA dually will get 12 city and 18 hwy, some people get more and some less, but it seems i'm in the middle and drive relatively conservative most the time. And most importantly the parts are readily available and cheap for a truck. Injectors will run about $30 each, an Injection Pump is about $3-400 and filters are still pretty cheap too. Mostly because these engines are fully mechanical and easy to work on. If you have an E4OD auto you will have a computer only for the transmission. With some upgrades and mods you will be running or ahead of 1st gen PSDs. For me i will take my time and be happy to do almost all my repairs in my driveway when things need fixin.
I have an 85 f-250 extended cab with the 6.9 diesel and an auto with a shift-kit. it has just over a 100k on the motor and it runs great! but everyone is right about this motor towing something up a steep grade. i bought the truck from my dad and he towed a 28-foot cabin cruiser with it and it would do 70 with the cruise set, but as soon as it hits a hill, it would start working hard. yeah i wish it had the power of a new PSD or CUMMINS but hey, its 21 years old and N/A, so i cant complain. even though mine has a flat-bed, if i mat it from a stop it'll send the 10-plies up in a squall. just wanted to put in my input. aight, have a good one
A bit off topic but I saw a 6.9 for sale in a local auto trader a while back and I was thinking it would be ncie to see one with a tt set up I just wonder how well it would hold up.
Numbers for a 6.9 in 1983 are 161hp@3300 and 307@1800 came across an old trailer life book had the numbers in itimp:
