I was wondering how durable the 6.9 and early 7.3 are ? Are they hard to find parts for ? What years are the best for Ford diesels ?

 

Although they get a bad rap, the 6.9 and 7.3 Navistar diesels are actually fairly durable. I've personally owned several Ford IDI's and have had very good luck with most all of them. Granted, they are no powerhouse, especially the N/A versions, but as far as daily driving, they get decent mileage and have more than enough power to get you from A to B.

Are they hard to find parts? It's not impossible to find parts, but they are becoming more scarce as the engine falls into obsoletion. Banks just discontinued their turbo kit for the IDI's about a year ago and there isn't a huge aftermarket for performance parts. There are a few members to some diesel forums that dabble in hopped up injectors and pumps, but they seem to be few and far between.

What years are the best Ford diesels? Well, that depends on what you are looking for. If you want a good daily driver that will yield you decent mileage and tote mild loads around, the late '80's and early '90's Fords with IDI's are good bets, although it's not always easy to find one in mint condition or that doesn't have a million miles on it. If you want a good strong platform with tuneability and a good aftermarket, the late '90's 7.3 Powerstrokes are pretty good bets. The 6.0 Powerstrokes have a bad rep, but if one were to buckle down and make the necessary mods to eliminate the pesky problems then the 6.0 can turn out to be quite the hot rod. The 6.4 Powerstrokes are turning out to be pretty stout motors too with the proper mods. Ultimately it's up to what you can find, what you can afford, and what tickles your fancy.

 

read up. last page tells about the testing.
International 6.9L Engine - Diesel Power Magazine

 

Thanks for all your input !

 

I Like them sound nice and well quite durable although the common cracking block is the only complaint I have. Hell I had someone stab my oil pan with a screw driver and it get home with out a problem. I would like to see more after market parts for the two motors but, the likely hood of that is close to the return of the 444E. But a man Can dream of a day that it would happen.

 

Some people will tell you that 1987 was the best year due to still being a 6.9 so the cavitation was hardly and issue, but it came with the solid state glow plug controller. It's just as easy to swap a 6.9 into a 7.3 truck or put a newer GP controller on an older truck though.

 

hello everybody, i have been trying for some time to find out which manufacturer is doing the navistar
dt466 and dt530 aluminum front cover, the front and rear, but i can´t find it... please, i want to show
to some of my friends, than everithing is possible with internet.
can anyone help me with that information, or if you know some manufacturer of this kind of parts, please
help me... thanks a lot.

tdn@aol.com.mx

tdnramon

 

Is the cavitation problem in the 6.9 or the 7.3 ?

I'm lookin at a 1988 with a 7.3 should I be ok ?

 

Cavitation is in the 7.3. The number 7 cylinder if I remember right.

 

Check the SCA'a, the 7.3 was the one with cavitation problems, and Banks did NOT discontinue the sidewinder for these motors, I was talking to them about a month ago to check that, they discontinued the stinger system (new intake and exhaust but still N/A) because it was considered useless (15 or so horse).