International truck ?'s.....

[Bluebird]

With TDR's wealth of knowledge, and gift of information sharing, here are my questions: My buddy is looking into a '87 International Cargo Star with a 400ci+ diesel V8-engine, auto, 140K+ miles (recorded on a rear hub odometer, the only gage that does not work is the speedo), 8'X20' cargo box, 4-wheel disc brakes, upgraded diff-gears, and sevice documentation. Price, $3800. 00, (Bluebook $4500. 00?) What do any of you folks know about this type of truck? Is it worth this price? I'll see it during the week, (he said it's in great shape). He has already driven a few hundred miles from Bakersfield to San Bernardino CA, fully loaded (10,000lbs. ) The truck would not go over 65mph. On hills in low, down to a crawl . Thanks in advance for any input... Patrick.

 

[bmoeller]

That truck probably has either a IDI 6. 9L or 7. 3L engine.



Has the PO kept up on the coolant additives? Those engnies are prone to having cavitation erosion problems.



Not familar with the truck itself, so I can't help there.

 

[Mad Bomber]

When I worked for RPS I had a 7. 3 in the van. Biggest problem was as said above cavitation on the #8, and overheat.

 

[BHiggins]

Head gasket problems on both the 6. 9 and the early 7. 3's too. I had first hand experience working on a fleet of tow trucks in the late 1980's and early 90's. Some were real disasters too, hydrostatic lock in a diesel is very very bad. No turbo either on the early Navistar motors. My personal opinion... tell your friend to keep looking.

 

[Bill Stockard]

My personal opinion... tell your friend to keep looking.

Good advise. I sold International trucks for nearly 25 years. I wouldn't sell my customers medium duty trucks equipped with 6. 9 or 7. 3 liter engines. I sold only the DT466 6-cylinder inline turbocharged engines and a few 9-liter V-8s when going up against a Ford with the Cat 3208.



The truck your friend drove is probably geared not to run over 65 since it was probably sold for in-city/local delivery type service. The Cargo Stars were sold mainly on the east coast for getting around in the big cities and never see speeds over 55 MPH. It's not the truck for highway driving.



Bill

 

[Grizzly]

If it's International, stay away from it. While working for the government in the 60's, 70's and 80's we had a motor pool consisting of cars and trucks. The trucks were Ford, Dodge Chevy and International. Everyone hated the Internationals because they were alway braking down. Our agency had no choice of brands since they were purchased by GSA on a low bid contract. It didn't matter if they were gasser or diesel, they were just plain no good. Dodge was not much better, but they had good gas engines, 318 and 360. Chevy's were the best and most popular truck in that era.

 

[Bluebird]

Wow! you guys are awsome... I don't think Andreas will want to spend his hard earned cash on that International after he reads this stuff. Thank you all very much, I knew I asked in the right place. Regards, Patrick.

 

[ARhine]

Get a cummins!



We had a 1996? Binder on the farm with a DT466 rated at 210HP in it. With 500bu in the back it could hardly get out of its own way. Now have a 1993 ford L9000 tractor with an N14 rated at 350hp and don't even hardly notice 700bu behind it.



There is no comparison between the two... and they weren't that much different in price.