Guys, I need help with a PS ambulance.

[Amianthus]

Guys (and Ladies),

As some of you know, I'm a paid-on-call firefighter. But I am also a rescue diver for our county's Serriff (that make me a deputy ). What has happened is we have been given a massive cut in our budget and are now responsible for maintaining our dive truck. It is a Ford ambulance with the 7. 3L engine. Right now it appears to need new glow plugs, and a new alternator. Because I have more knowledge of diesels than anyone else on our team, I've been dubiously nominated to help maintain it.

What I'd like to know is two things. First, will you guys help me through the maintenance of this thing by giving advice when I need it?

Second, this thing is a gutless turd. Is there any way I can get some more oommph out of it without major transmission mods or drugs?

I think it's the non-turbo 7. 3. So any help would be appreciated.

Any ideas of where to get parts cheap, or any other comments on my situation would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mactruck]

what year is it?

Is it on a pick- up or van chassis?

 

[gitchesum]

I know for a fact that you can upgrade the engine some. My grandfather has a 92 non-turbo that he installed an ATS turbo on. That thing will get up and go now. I also see a 92 non-turbo on a regular basis, that guy has over 450,000 on the original engine.



Can't say I'm much help on the maintenance end of the engine though. Might I suggest taking a look at www.ford-diesel.com

They have a section devoted to the 7. 3 non-turbo engine. I'm sure you'll get the help you need there. THere area some pretty good fellas over there.



I promise,we won't think any less of you.

 

[Amianthus]

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I just realized that the subject line said PS. It is not a PS. It is a regular 7. 3 IDI. I am going to stop by and get some more details on it this afternoon. I'll post what I find. I'll get pictures when I can. Thanks.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Some good trouble shooting info at: http://www.freeautoadvice.com

 

[Amianthus]

Well, Here's all I know about the truck.



It's a 1987 E-350 Chassis with the Ambulance body and trim package. It has the 7. 3L IDI with approximately 30282 miles on it. I'm guessing that the transmission is a C-6 3sp. Auto. I have the vin, but don't know what good it will do.



After reading a little on this engine, setting the timing to 8* at 2000 rpm seems to be the way to go. And then add one click from the fueling pump. But I don't know how bad that will react with the engine. I know that it rarely sees maximum fueling, these drivers really baby the thing. And so, short periods of that kind of fueling may not hurt it. Tell me what you think. Getting a pyro is out of the question as these guys have a hard enough time driving the thing let alone watching and interpreting a pyro.



What it need for the present is new glow plugs, and a new alternator. The alternator can be rebuilt at a local shop pretty easily. But the glow plugs, how hard are those (I may have to do them myself)? And where is the best place to get cheap plugs? Thanks again.

 

[Barry]

Are you sure that it is a 7. 3? Memory tells me that the 6. 9 was thru 87 and the 7. 3 was introduced in 88 along with the 5spd. O/D... ... ..... While it is not a Cummins, the 7. 3 is a good engine. And tho' I am not a Banks fan, their SideWinder Turbo kit sure wakes that motor. (about 10 psi boost). The one I like the best is the one they made in 93-94 with the ATS turbo from the factory. Has PSD crank and rods but the regular heads and injectors. Cost on a set of injectors for a PSD is $1750 and cost on the 7. 3 is $250. Also open up the exhaust on the 7. 3 and let it breath!!!!!!

 

[dasyure]

glow plugs are easy should be able to get on them with a 3/8 deep well and 8" extension, I was using autolites from napa they IMO very stupidly where life time warranting them ask your local store other wise the plugs from ford last the longest

do you know how to test them?

with no turbo don't worry about egt temps on the pass side of pump toward the front is a 1" by 3/4" triangle rectangular plate (sheet metal) with enge at TDC pull the plate off and if in the right position insert a small allen wrench if I remember right clockwise = more fuel try 1/2 to 1 turn and let smoke be your guide on the drivers side is the advance cam It is obvious witch way to move it for sooner advance

tweaking those will make a significant difference without endangering the engine

I love not having glow plugs anymore it starts no waiting

ford part last the longest and are usually the same or cheaper than after market

Sean

 

[Bill Lins]

Something you may want to check- it is my understanding that Ford uses an electronic module to control the glow plugs and that if you replace the plugs without checking the module, if it is bad (supposedly a common occurence) it will burn out the new plugs quickly.

 

[Motorhead]

We have some 7. 3's at UPS in package cars. They don't run too bad. I think that you need to run them aggressively and the performance will pick up. The glow relay box is generaly mounted on the back,top side of the intake manafold. The easy way to check that it is working is to turn on the ign. and watch the dome light to dim(don't laugh). After 10 to 15 seconds you should hear the relay click on and off. As the glowplugs burn out, the relay will tend to cycle faster. When hot, the engine should be able to be started without the glow cycle, thus saving them. Tell the drivers to run the thing moderately and not to glow the thing when it it warm. Also tell them not to let the thing idle for prolonged time... Chris

 

[dasyure]

If you want to save glow plugs don't ever start the engine with out letting the light go out

Sean

 

[Scot]

Originally posted by Amianthus

Well, Here's all I know about the truck.





What it need for the present is new glow plugs, and a new alternator. The alternator can be rebuilt at a local shop pretty easily. But the glow plugs, how hard are those (I may have to do them myself)? And where is the best place to get cheap plugs? Thanks again.

Best price I have found is AUTOZONE. Takes a 3/8 or 7/16 deep socket. Make sure the glow plug timer is cycling. This was a big problem on th 6. 9. I do not know when they changed the timer style. You can check the glow plug with a ohm-meter.

 

[Bill Lins]

Re: Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Originally posted by Amianthus

I just realized that the subject line said PS. It is not a PS.

No, it's a POS!

 

[Amianthus]

Thanks.

Thanks for the tips. Keep them coming. I will occasionally bring this to the top when new problems arise. Maybe a Cummins conversion in the future. Then 400 HP here we come.



Thanks again for the tips.

 

[dasyure]

the vans I work on use the same alt as the 6. 9/7. 3 in the last two years the only alt that have lasted more than 10 months where from ford, that includes napa, autozone, allpro, bilt rite (local large scale rebuilder), parts america. autozone may be cheaper but how often do you want to do the same job, should be able to get a 20% ford discount if all else fails just make up a bus name.

Sean