Detroit Diesel 8.2L "Fuel Pincher" tips and tricks
Hello!
I just purchased my newest bus, a 1986 Ford B-700 with the Detroit diesel 8.2L "Fuel Pincher." This is my third bus, and the second to carry the name "Snailing Away." I've read a lot of negative things about this engine, and a few good things about it, but the price was perfect, the bus ran like a dream, it only had 136,000 miles, all tires were practically brand new, there was almost no rust, and when I test drove her I got that tingly "this is my next home" feeling(which I didn't get with my previous bus, a dt360, nor with the several dt466s I had test driven before purchasing the Detroit diesel). Plus, she has understorage already, and came wired for electricity! I just need solar panels and batteries.
I want this bus to last me a long time, and I was wondering if anyone had any hints or tips or tricks to keep my infamous 8.2L Fuel Pincher in good condition.
Additional information:
After I heat up the glow plugs, she cranks for less than a split second before starting. It is almost instantaneous, I have never had a vehicle start so quickly. Is this common for this engine? Or is it a sign of a good/bad engine?
My first bus was an old, poorly maintained gas engine that didn't like going faster than 35mph, and it took her a good 2 minutes to reach that speed, so I have no problem driving slowly and gingerly. And from what I have read, one needs to drive the fuel pincher gingerly.
I drove her 200 miles from where I bought her to where she will be parked while I renovate. There were no problems at all, and the person I had following me reported no smoke from the exhaust. She doesn't have a tachometer, but I felt like her optimal cruising speed was around 45 mph(which, again, is plenty fast for me). I will be installing a tachometer and a transmission temperature gauge before I drive her again though.
Before I drive her again, I am going to change all the fluids and filters.
She is really beautiful and I love her.
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