HELP/FORD 6.9l gurus

[elcornus]

specs: 2WD 1987 F250 XLT lariat with a 6.9l diesel, 61,000 mi.
The firewall has a 1/2" crack in it that keeps the clutch from fully dis-engaging. Is this a MAJOR prob. or a minor one? I plan to use the truck for a short distance DD and as a tow rig (buggy on 2 axle trailer) for 300 to 500 mile (1 way) wheeling trips. Is this truck/ motor a good one?

:beer: :beer: :beer:
:beer: :beer: :beer: for ya!

[JasonH]

I can't really help you on the clutch problem, other than suggesting that you do a search over at The Diesel Stop (http://www.thedieselstop.com) . Those guys are sure to have seen that before.

As far as the engine goes, I'm gambling on mine as I just ordered my turbo kit for it and I also have an overdrive waiting on me to install. As it sits, it'll tow what you want pretty easily, but won't be fast. In fact, if there are any hills around, you'll be doing well to keep it above 50, but it will get there.

61K miles is pretty impressive. You should get some good life out of that one. Mine's fairly young at 170K.

[jaluhn]

You have the classic flexing fire wall problem. There is a kit from ford that fixes it, but you can just wled a chunk of plate in there. Just remove the master, and weld a piece of 1/8 or 3/16" plate about 4x4" over the mounting area.

However, this is caused by a more serious problem. Esspecially with the t-19, the throwout bearing surface on the trans tend to dry out, and if not corrected, the throwout will begine to eat into the nose of the tranny, requiring it's replacement. It is possible to grease it without removing the trans, athough not easy. Remove the slave clyinder carefully, then remove the boot over the push arm, and use a stick or something to smear some grease on the trans nose. Then move the throwout around and see if you can distribute the grease a bit. It should move pretty easily. When removing the slave, see if you can wrap some wire around the pushrod, as it is spring loaded, and if you don't, it will fully extend, and be a sob to reinstall.

Here (http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB28&Number=1206232&Forum=UBB28&Words=slobber&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=6months&Main=1193584&Search=true#Post1206232)
is a thread on how to fix it. This is also the the best site for info on these trucks.
~John

[Lemoore-on]

I have heard of your problem before, but didn't pay much attention cause I have an auto. Sounds like John has the skinny on it though. Definately check out the diesel stop BB tons of good info from guys that have done everything with the 6.9

I have been using an 86 w/C-6 auto to tow an 82 Toyota on a 16' two axle trailer for about a year now. It does great on flat ground I can tow at 65mph if I want (but that would be against the law in CA ;) ) But the two major climbs I run into (50 up to the Con or Tahatchapi pass) Its a slow 45mph climb in 2nd gear. I plan on adding a Banks turbo in the next year. I have 170,000 miles on mine. yours sounds like its brand new!!!

[jaluhn]

There's a few ways to get more power out without a turbo. The easiest is to remove the stock pos exhaust, or at a minimum, the muffler, and open it up. The stock system is either 2" or 2 1/2, and that's way too small. A single 3-4" seems to work pretty well, and I'm running dual 2", and that works pretty well.

Also, the stock air pickup is behind the lights, and that is not a good location. You can make a ram air system fairly easily is you don't have ac, and it's supposed to add some power. Also, there is a hypermax kit that takes it off the cowl, for $70. I have heard that it does no0t increse power too much, but does improve fuel economy by about 1 mpg, and also raises the intake.

Also, you can make a propane system for these engines fairly simply, and this is suppose to add a decent amount of power. This is probably the most complicated of these 3, but the one with the most increse. Also, too much propane can cause damage.
~John

[70~K5]

From when I had a '85 F350 6.9 Dually, I remember some people had problems with heads cracking. I got rid of mine before this showed up, but it's something to watch for. Also with mine I'd loose oil pressure as the oil got dirty/ dilutaded.

[jaluhn]

You can crack heads, but it is rare, and mostly do to either overheating on incorrect removal. Head gasket failures are fairly commen, though, and typicall ocure at 150k miles.

As to oil pressure lose, I doubt it's that much of a problem, or could indicate incorrect oil, or an overly extended interval. It is very imortant to use 'c' / 's' grade oil, and most guys change it at 3000-4500 miles, not 6000 as most books say. I have not noticed any pressure drop on my engine. Also, a hot idle pressure of 10-15 psi is normal for these engines, and is not something to be alarmed over.
~John

[70~K5]

Well on the '85 F350 NA6.9L truck I had I noticed a drop in oil pressure after about 2500 miles on fresh oil. I used either Delo 400 or Rotela in mine. It never used any between changes though so I may have been "making oil" I.E. having some fuel leak down into the oil. The truck had 50K when I bought it and 90K when I sold it.

[jaluhn]

My guess is the oil was being diluted by fuel, and that's the cause. Burning less than 1qt / 1000 miles is pretty rare.
~John

[Pedro Zuk]

on your clutch concern remove clutch master weld or bolt on 6"X6"X1/8" plate around clutch master braket mount. can be a major problem:idea:

[elcornus]

Thanx for all the great info, I really do appreciate it. If you guy's are every down in my neck of the woods, the beer's are on me!
PBB kicks ass!:D