T- History of Ford's Diesel Pickups

A lot of people want a brand new Ford pickup with a diesel engine, but most do not know the history of Ford’s lineup of diesel pickups. Most people buy a vehicle because it looks good, its reliable, or because it sounds good. People don’t know the history of many lineups of vehicles and what makes them go. Here’s the history of the diesel engines that Ford has used in their ¾ ton and full ton (F-250 and F-350) pickups. In 1982 Ford decided to introduce a line of diesel pickups. Ford partnered up with International Truck and Engine company, or as most people call it International, and would eventually be renamed from International to Navistar. From 1982 to 1988, Ford was putting a 6.9 liter IDI v8 engine in their trucks. These engines were not turbocharged, meaning they did not have a turbo like all modern diesel engines. IDI means indirect injection. This meant that fuel wasn’t injected directly into the engine. This engine made 170 horsepower and 315 lb. ft. of torque. In 1988 Ford put a large7.3 liter IDI v8 in their trucks. These also weren’t turbocharged, at least not until the 90’s. In 1994, Ford discontinued the IDI and came out with the 7.3 liter v8 Powerstroke. The 7.3 Powerstroke was direct injected and came standard with a turbocharger like the other Powerstrokes from then on. It had more power than the IDI’s and was a tough engine. Many of these engines were sold because lots of people liked them. It is even ranked in the top 10 diesel engines. Some Ford truck enthusiasts even believe that Ford should’ve stuck with the 7.3. In 2003 Ford switched from the 7.3 liter v8 to the smaller 6.0 liter v8 Powerstroke. The 6.0 Powerstroke was the answer to the governments limiting of emissions. The 6.0 created lots of power with low emissions. It produced 570 lb. ft. of torque. These engines had lots of problems due to the emissions control. In 2007 Ford replaced the 6.0 Powerstroke with the 6.4 liter v8 Powerstroke. The 6.4 was quieter and cleaner than the previous two Powerstroke engines. These engines produced 650 lb. ft. of torque. It had twin turbochargers (two turbochargers). They were supposed to be more reliable than the 6.0, but not as reliable as the 7.3. The 6.4 still had problems. The current engine Ford has in their pickups is the 6.7 liter v8 Powerstroke. The 6.7 is supposed to be more advanced than the previous Powerstroke engines. Ford decided to tear down the Powerstroke and rebuild it and make upgrades to the Powerstroke engine. One of the most important things that were upgraded on these engines is the ability for the engines to start in cold weather. The problem with diesel engines in the cold is that diesel can gel up if it’s too cold. Also if it is too cold, the engine might be too cold for the diesel to ignite. If not all, then most diesel engines have some sort of way to heat the engine before the driver starts the engine so. This is either a block heater, which heats the injectors up and, or glow plugs, which work the same way as the lights in a toaster. Glow plugs heat the inside of the cylinders. All of the diesel engines used in Fords had glow plugs. The pre heating system in the 6.7 is supposed to heat the engine faster. The 6.7 Powerstroke will possibly be upgrade for a better, upgraded version like the other engines, but this one will be around for a while. Ford’s lineup of diesel trucks are reliable and tough. From the beginnings in 1982 with the primitive 6.9 liter v8 IDI, to the beginnings of the Powerstroke name with the 7.3, to the current 6.7 Powerstroke, Ford’s lineup of diesel pickups have been able to compete and perform with the diesel pickups on the market.