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1993 F350 7.3 IDI Diesel Build

kmakar

kmakar

Janitor
My brother gave me a '93 F350 Dually that wouldn't run for him (7.3 IDI diesel) and I thought I'd make a nice monster towing hauler out of it, but it's a single cab and too small for me to ride in comfortably, so I needed to find an extended cab.

I like the older Fords and didn't want any electronics, just engine, trans, and truck.


PXL_20230108_215211621.jpg

I found an extended cab about a week ago and finally got there and bought it for $500. I'll strip the cab off the F250 and drop it onto the F350 Dually, then weld a custom flatbed for it.

I'm still waiting for the flatbed tow to bring it, but hopefully it'll be today, then I can park it next to the dually for my future project.

PXL_20230108_174140168.jpg
 
Cool project. I'm still looking for a good 12 valve, passed on some cause I wasn't on the same wavelength as the banker. 1 ton extended cab & put a flatbed on it.
 
77cruiser said:
Cool project. I'm still looking for a good 12 valve, passed on some cause I wasn't on the same wavelength as the banker. 1 ton extended cab & put a flatbed on it.
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!2v's are hard to come by and when you do find them, they are really expensive. Last one I found (about 3 weeks ago) wanted $6,500 for the complete engine, and that was used with 150k miles on it.
 
I missed a few that were in the 8 - 10 K range, complete trucks most have around 250K miles. But that's nothing for the engine if it's been treated decent.
 
77cruiser said:
I missed a few that were in the 8 - 10 K range, complete trucks most have around 250K miles. But that's nothing for the engine if it's been treated decent.
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Yeah, this 7.3 IDI is NA (no turbo) and they last forever.

I know it's been sitting at least 2 years, so before I start it up I'll put some marvel mystery oil in the cylinders, let it sit for a couple of days, then turn it over by hand, disconnect the fuel solenoid and crank the engine with the starter just to help free up the rings.
 
You are a glutton for punishment!

The IDI was an intermediate step between the 6.9L and 7.3L DI. I was working at dealerships when they were under warranty. Cavitation erosion due to poor PH levels was a big issue.
 
E4OD. I've had three 7.3 IDI's before so I know the pitfalls, but once they are cleaned up, they are rock solid.

Most people don't realize engine starting problems (no fuel) almost always are the o-rings on the fuel return caps on top of the injectors.

Only once has an IDI left me stranded and that was because of the fuel solenoid died (no fuel).

They are slow, I've give you that, but they always get there and can pull a house.
 
kmakar said:
E4OD. I've had three 7.3 IDI's before so I know the pitfalls, but once they are cleaned up, they are rock solid.

Most people don't realize engine starting problems (no fuel) almost always are the o-rings on the fuel return caps on top of the injectors.

Only once has an IDI left me stranded and that was because of the fuel solenoid died (no fuel).

They are slow, I've give you that, but they always get there and can pull a house.
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The E4OD is one of the best transmissions ever made. Funny, Forrd has always had o-ring issues, like the ill fated Space Shuttle.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
The E4OD is one of the best transmissions ever made. Funny, Forrd has always had o-ring issues, like the ill fated Space Shuttle.
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Yep, the F250 came with the E4OD and Transfer case too (it's a 4x4 for a gas engine) and after I pull the cab, I'll sell the rest to easily pay for buying it.
 
At the dealer I worked at last the diesel tech ran his own business in the shop selling ATS Turbos for IDIs and installing them, he made them scream.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
At the dealer I worked at last the diesel tech ran his own business in the shop selling ATS Turbos for IDIs and installing them, he made them scream.
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The only problem in adding a turbo to a non turbo block / pistons shortens the life pretty quickly. The bottom end can't handle the extra energy pumping.

I did find a 7.3 DI with a turbo (out of a late '94), but I'm sticking with simple. The less to go wrong, the better. Won't go as fast, but I don't go fast anymore.
 
That blows. Not sure how motivated you were to get this thing up and running, but just the cab shouldn't be too hard to find?? What I see there is still the start of a great project.

Side note.....that windshield almost survived!!
 
cheveslakr said:
That blows. Not sure how motivated you were to get this thing up and running, but just the cab shouldn't be too hard to find?? What I see there is still the start of a great project.

Side note.....that windshield almost survived!!
Click to expand...

Those cabs are hard to come by..... damn windshield was brand new.
 
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