Picked up another TV

EMD_Driver · 03-05-2010, 05:19 PM

Since we don't know if Kitty's 2005 F350 with the 6.0 powerstroke in it will have the problems so many others have had, we decided to pick up another TV. I enjoy working on my own vehicles and making my own diesel fuel for them. I searched for about a month and finally found this one:

It's a 1994 F350 crew cab, with an 8 foot bed. It has the 7.3 powerstroke in it, but is still able to have 99.9% of repairs/maintenance done by me. I got it for a good price, knowing that it needed a few things. It was 185 miles away and it made the trip home great.

Since I've had it home, I've put a new wiper motor on it, replaced the alternator, replaced the wheels and tires, replaced the block heater cord and put a new starter on it yesterday.

It still needs the front fuel tank replaced and has a small exhaust leak, just before the turbocharger. I also have a set of bed rails to install, for the fifth wheel hitch.

I opted for an older truck, because I can run my home made fuel in it. That will allow us to spend more money on camping and less on just trying to get there!

**clueless campers** · 03-05-2010, 05:27 PM

Nice looking truck. Around here, any '94's would be sitting in a scrapyard looking like swiss cheese because of all the rust. Darn road salt!

EMD_Driver · 03-05-2010, 06:42 PM

I bought this truck, from a guy in Bethlehem, PA... They get some snow up there... This truck really wasn't ever abused... There are a few things that could have been better maintained, but it's nothing I can't handle!

delcon88 · 03-05-2010, 07:13 PM

Nice looking rig,Looooong wheel base,more engine

less computer

and no slider hitch needed

EMD_Driver · 03-05-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcon88

Nice looking rig,Looooong wheel base,more engine

less computer

and no slider hitch needed

Slider may not be needed, but it's what we have... It'll do, until I can afford something else..

**JohnB** · 03-05-2010, 10:28 PM

Nice looking truck Gary. Looks like 4 wheel drive too.

How many miles does she have on her? They can go a long ways.

That is a rare find for sure in that good a shape.

John

EMD_Driver · 03-06-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

Nice looking truck Gary. Looks like 4 wheel drive too.

How many miles does she have on her? They can go a long ways.

That is a rare find for sure in that good a shape.

John

Thanks John,

It is a 4wd... That was one of the requirements.. I can use 4lo, without locking the hubs in, to back the trailer. Makes it much easier on this hill... As a friend on a diesel forum told me.... "4lo is your friend!"

The truck only has 176,000 miles on it... It's not even broken in yet! My 93 has 269,000 on it and is running stronger than ever! The longevity of the diesel is another bonus.. I wouldn't even consider buying a gas truck, with that many miles on it. Those diesel motors were designed to last at least 400,000 miles, before needing any major work done to them. I have another friend with over 600,000 miles on his.

Honda03842 · 03-06-2010, 07:24 AM

Homemade fuel caught my eye. What process do you use to make diesel?

Our goal is also a diesel but a smaller one.

Thank you,

Honda03842 · 03-06-2010, 07:27 AM

Why is an older truck capable of running your home brew and not a newer truck?

I'm Diesel dumb,

EMD_Driver · 03-06-2010, 09:57 AM

The best answer I can give you, is because the newer motors are very picky about their fuel. They want the fuel that is available at the pump, with little variation. I use used motor oil to make fuel. Since diesel is just another form of oil, the compression ignition is perfect for using different oils. When I get oil, I filter it and thin it down. When it's thin enough and I am satisfied with the amount of filtering, it goes into my 110 gallon tank. I have that 110 gallon tank in the bed of the truck and can fuel up anywhere.

The older diesels can tolerate a much broader range of fuel quality. I don't always get it "perfect" and my older diesels will let me know what I need to change, to get it right. The newer diesels will simply throw an error code and quit running.

Diesels are some of the most environmentally friendly vehicles made.. I am simply recycling oil, that would only be recycled somewhere else.

sunnyseagull · 03-06-2010, 09:58 AM

Norm it has to do with emmision on the new diesel and the computers , the new trucks can run on bio fuel but not the same fuel that EMD uses

Dan

kanyonkitty · 03-06-2010, 10:11 AM

Yeah, try giving my '05 PSD something other than "diesel" from the pump and it will throw codes, quit running and probably cost me a set of very expensive injectors. A complete set of injectors for the older diesels costs less than one (1) injector for my blue beast.

Hey anyone want to buy my blue beast, it's for sale !!!!!

Kitty

Honda03842 · 03-06-2010, 02:33 PM

I'm intrigued by your recycling of oil for your 'new' truck. Just a few more questions if you don't mind.

What do you filter it thru? Do you simple engine oil filters, maybe with a magnetic front end trap?

What would you thin recycled oil with? Do you check the density or just guess?

Are their additives required?

Is your mileage affected?

Is home heating oil an option?

You must have a lot of range with a 110 gallon tank.

I find your solution obviously very interesting and also interesting that more modern engines are fussier.

Thank you for adding to the site, not many seem to consider an older diesel.

EMD_Driver · 03-06-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda03842

What do you filter it thru? Do you simple engine oil filters, maybe with a magnetic front end trap?

What would you thin recycled oil with? Do you check the density or just guess?

Are their additives required?

Is your mileage affected?

Is home heating oil an option?

You must have a lot of range with a 110 gallon tank.

I find your solution obviously very interesting and also interesting that more modern engines are fussier.

Thank you for adding to the site, not many seem to consider an older diesel.

No problem with the questions... We're all here to help..

I fabricated myself a filtering rig out of two household water filters and one Goldenrod water block filter. I pump the oil through the filters with a power steering pump, that came from a 1986 Honda Accord. It's powered by a 1/4hp electric motor. The filters clean the oil, down to 5 microns and the water block assures that I don't get water in the fuel.

I usually thin it with either pump diesel, or kerosene. The kerosene does an excellant job of thinning. A mixture of 1/3 kerosene and 2/3 motor oil will yield fuel that is almost the exact consistency of diesel fuel. I can usually tell by dipping my finger tip in the mix, if it's thin enough.

No additives are required, but I usually pour a jug of Power Service Diesel Kleen into the 110 gallon tank. It helps keep the engine internals clean.

Since motor oil has much more BTU's per gallon, the mileage actually increases! There is also more power available, when you need it.

Home heating oil is nothing more than #2 diesel nowdays. It had dye in it, to keep people from using it as motor fuel.

Last July, we went to a rally for the diesel truck owners like ours. It was in Bowling Green, KY. Roughly 675 miles for us. I made it down and back on my 110 gallons of home brew fuel. I even had some left!

Al in PA · 03-06-2010, 04:51 PM

I understand the newer diesels don't like your home brew and I've heard that they get fewer miles per gallon. What is the newest model year that will run on your home brew? Also, what was the last year that Ford used the 7.3 powerstroke?

EMD_Driver · 03-06-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al in PA

I understand the newer diesels don't like your home brew and I've heard that they get fewer miles per gallon. What is the newest model year that will run on your home brew? Also, what was the last year that Ford used the 7.3 powerstroke?

Both questions get the same answer... 2003 was the last year for the 7.3 and the last model year for the home brew option...

There was a huge change in 1994, when they switched to the direct injection powerstroke. Before the switch to direct injection, the motors were 100% mechanical. These motors (Of which I have two) will burn a much higher percentage of waste motor oil. I have some friends, that have successfully used 100% waste motor oil. I've never been able to do that, with any success.

The powerstroke motors, being direct injected, can burn up to a maximum of 50% waste motor oil and 50% pump diesel.

**Sunline Fan** · 03-06-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al in PA

I've heard that they get fewer miles per gallon.

Well yes and no. From my experience, I've found the following mileage reports from people, on like FTE:

-7.3L PSD (at least '99-'03), about 16-17 highway normal, can be up to like 20-21 with mods and some fuel additives.

-6.0L PSD (2003.5-2007), about 18-26 highway. I've heard quite a few get between 22 and 24. The design of the beast allows it to get better mileage, but it has a reputation for so many problems (or mainly the '03's and '04's) that many people give up the extra mileage for better reliability. I don't know of figures for any additives/mods, but I think most people are scared to do too many mods for fear of breaking a stud, blowing a turbo, or some other issue.

-6.4L PSD (2008-2010), I haven't really heard any solid mileage figures, I guess because people are too embarrassed to post them... I am told the 6.4 gets significantly worse mileage, and I can attest to that. My dad's 6.4, granted it only has 2800 miles, the computer says it only gets between 11.0 and 11.5 on the highway solo, and that's with me babying it too! Keep in mind it does have 4.30 rear gears though. The same run done with the Excursion would bring about 14-14.5, so I guess my hopes of beating that are out. So this must be why so many of the trucks are ordered with the 3.55 rear end option, so that the mileage increases. I've never seen a mileage report for someone with a 3.55, but if I had to guess, I'd say they might get 13-14 highway on a good day. I am told the reliability of the 6.4 is probably as good as the 7.3 because they went back to so many previous design features, as well as improved others. From a few reports I've seen, once the DPF (diesel particulate filter) is removed, the engine will get as good of mileage as the 7.3 and maybe a little better, not to mention it sounds much better too, not so restricted. However this does void the warranty, so this is why many people don't do it. I think we'll see this become more common in 2012 and beyond when those with 2008 trucks are running out of the powertrain warranty and are then willing to take the risk. This does create a problem though because it would throw an error code, so you'd have to know someone at a dealer who is willing to shut the DPF system off inside the computer.

Jon

**Tweety** · 03-07-2010, 05:53 AM

Oh boy...I'm afraid to show this discussion to Mr Tweety. He's so annoyed with our Sierra right now because it has gone into "limp" twice now, and both times he was an hour from home skiing. Had to limp home at a very slow speed. It's still under warrantee so didn't cost us anything BUT what if this happens while we're towing? He bought a gizmo that will read the codes and reset the computer in case this happens while we're towing, we can at least get off the road. I believe that once the warrantee is up the DPF is a goner and the computer will be reprogammed to accomodate such a mod.

EMD_Driver · 03-07-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

From my experience, I've found the following mileage reports from people, on like FTE:

-7.3L PSD (at least '99-'03), about 16-17 highway normal, can be up to like 20-21 with mods and some fuel additives.

-6.0L PSD (2003.5-2007), about 18-26 highway. I've heard quite a few get between 22 and 24. The design of the beast allows it to get better mileage, but it has a reputation for so many problems (or mainly the '03's and '04's) that many people give up the extra mileage for better reliability. I don't know of figures for any additives/mods, but I think most people are scared to do too many mods for fear of breaking a stud, blowing a turbo, or some other issue.

Jon,

My 7.3 IDI got ~24MPG, on the way home from Kentucky last summer. That was with the bed loaded-down. It now has 270,000 miles on it.

My 7.3PSD gets anywhere from 18-23MPG bone stock, but only if I keep my foot out of that sweet sounding turbocharger! It now has 176,000 miles on it.

Kitty's 6.0PSD has 71,000 miles on it and the empty mileage per gallon has increased, just since last summer. It was getting an average of 14MPG, with 66,000 miles on it. It now gets almost 18MPG. Diesels aren't even properly broken-in, until they have over 100,000 miles on them so the mileage should increase a bit more yet.