Well I have been trying to take the plunge lately and have been trying to find a diesel on a budget. Now that is funny. Anyway, most of what is making the budget is early model Ford PSD's. I have driven 2 so far, a 93 turbo diesel conversion automatic and a 94 turbo diesel stick. I have considered Cummins, but every one around here has them priced out of my budget. The 93 ran strong but I seemingly could feel the trans knock the bottom of the floor board, likely due to the swap issue? The body on the 93 was rough. I found you guys before I drove the 94 so I knew a little more of what to look for. The 94 seemed weak and when I pulled the oil filler cap, blue smoke came pouring out, not like a little wisp, but rolling. Not so bad as to fill the whole engine compartment. Anyway the rest of the truck seemed in good shape. So, in your opinion, how worn out is the motor? Could the blue smoke be anything else besides worn out rings? Like I said, the 94 was definitely down on power. Thoughts, comments?

 

93 is not a powerstroke...

94 may or may not be a powerstroke...

Other then that, if its got that much blow by, walk away.

 

Right. The 93 was a Powerstroke Conversion. Converted from a 460. The 94 was a powerstroke. I was able to identify the turbos on both. Although the 93's turbo was rather loud vs. the 94. Anyway, I think I will keep looking and hoping

 

Not questioning your identifying ability... But I think you should understand that just visually observing a turbo is not clear enough. If they did in fact put a Powerstroke in the 93, then cool. In 94 there are a few different models that were produced... IDI naturally aspirated, IDI with a Ford Factory turbo, and in late 94, they offered a Powerstroke.

 

The 93 looked like this

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I assume that this is the IDI 7.3 with Ford turbo? The 94 looked like this

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The funny thing about the 94 was that the turbo was not very prominent in sound as was the 93. The 94 wouldn't even hold 5th gear going up a long hill? As bad as I want a PSD, I think I have to keep looking. Thanks for the help and info.

 

fuel filter can slug a powerstroke down (as much as anything) i used to have a 99 no power hardly, turbo would barely light then it would shift and slug down again. 1rst thought injectors were dying (nope) 2cnd thought lossing fuel pressure (nope) so i got home pulled stock air box out put a air kit in it. helped quite abit something was still up. next day i straight piped it made a little more difference. changed the fuel filter (it was literally greasey nasty grimey etc.) put a new filter in went to the store and got fuel injector cleaner and something else to clean tank and fuel lines drove it 2000 more miles changed filter again it ran like a brand new one it had 270k miles on it when i got rid of it and i can honestly say there was just a haze coming out of the oil fill cap! i had every service record there was. was never chipped 4x4 larait crew cab dually long bed. wheels off a 2011 f450 i had it for sell on here nobody even wanted it sold it for 10,000 but anyways id keep looking it could be more then a filter and also u could be expecting to much out of them older fords they werent the power houses back then turbo or not

 

Thanks for the info. At the risk of being flamed, I will admit I am coming from an 08 Toyota 5.7L. I got rid of it to get something more economical for my and my wifes daily driver. But now we realize we need a truck. I have a few more lined up to check out. I will keep you guys posted.

 

your welcome!!

 

by the way, the first picture is a "turbo diesel"- non powerstroke. the second picture is a powerstroke

 

Thats what I figured. Tomorrow I'll be looking at two similar trucks, a powerstroke and a turbo diesel. I will check back with my results.