7.3 IDI Governor Adjustment How-to

Needed to adjust my governor length slightly after previous mods; figured I'd do the whole thing as a how-to video.

[@AndersonERockefeller]

Everyone is complaining about the stuff on the dash, I actually love it! Reminds me watching Back To The Future movie 😁

[@sabbath7081]

I was just about to ask if it travels through time 😁

[@Cruiseomatic380]

What in the world are those gauges all for and what or where did you get the HUD display? Looks like something I need for an engine protection project I'm working on that doesn't cost the same as a new truck and is designed for older idi's.

[@junkyarddog7988]

Just bought my first 7.3 idi

[@RichieSarinas]

I cant see shit with your dark no adequate lighting great knowleable video. Please do an update with better lighting for us guys who needs a visual to help learn your video.

[@48busman]

Kind Sir, I just bought a 96 powerstroke. I love it. But I am fascinated with the older idi's and idi turbo's. Do you know where I can go to get a good explanation of the evolution of the motors and the main difference in the idi and powerstroke. I am starting to look on Craigslist for an older idi. Seems more simplistic. Thanks

[@MacRobbSimpson]

+48busman The engines are completely different. They were both made by Navistar, and the oil filters are interchangeable(though the PS filter is longer) but that's about it. IDIs use a mechanical fuel injection pump and direct pressurized diesel to inject fuel; the 7.3 Powerstroke uses a computer, high pressure oil and a HEUI injector which uses the pressurized oil to inject the fuel at the command of the computer. The IDI has no computers involved with it's operation; the powerstroke is entirely computerized. So to tune a powerstroke, you need a tuner. For an IDI, you need a set of wrenches. The powerstroke is considered a better system - it should be slightly more efficient(when running correctly), and can last for 2-300K miles without any parts being replaced; IDIs have *much* cheaper parts, but you'll need to replace the fuel components about every 150K or so, for best results.

[@theclintified]

Ok, where is the flux capacitor?

[@MacRobbSimpson]

Still on backorder from O'Reilly's www.oreillyauto.com/flux-500.html

[@jessejames6923]

WHY IN THE HELL DO YOU HAVE THE SPACE X CONTROLS ALL OVER FUCK BAHAHA

[@h20togo6]

We’re can you buy that braided fuel line in bulk?

[@DavidLee-tb9se]

Hey Mac, so say the Governor was messed with when removed for a rebuild, what is the best way to reset it

[@MacRobbSimpson]

Not sure... I'd look at a picture of one, and try to have that length / many threads sticking out. Then see what she does and adjust from there.

[@evananderson3350]

I love your vids it seems you know alot about these engines and your truck makes nice power on the dyno but I have one complaint and that's the mess on the dash but I'm not going to tell you how to live your life lol but it is a nice truck I have an 86 f350 6.9idi they are tuff trucks

[@robertmoreno5499]

Where did you get the Digital dashboard ? Will it fit a 1994 IDI

[@MacRobbSimpson]

It was/is a custom project using an Arduino. In theory it could fit any IDI, the only inputs being power and a stock tach sender.

[@mattleonard5268]

What is the adjustment screw on the very back of the pump above the injection lines with a jam nut on it? Is that for adjusting the tension on the governor spring?

[@MacRobbSimpson]

+Matt Leonard I'm not entirely sure. It pushes against a little spring inside the governor assembly. It seems to control governor response to some extent; I had a pump which would die if I let off the throttle quickly, as the governor didn't compensate enough(letting it down slowly would work fine). I screwed that adjustment all the way in, and it helped; it would still droop slightly below idle when letting off on the throttle above 2K, but wouldn't die.

[@mattleonard5268]

on one of my idi's i bottomed it out against the jam nut. i cant say i noticed much difference, so i thought you might know what it is.

[@StevenDonaldonYouTube]

Quick question! My IDI has what appear to be full cut-off at about 3,100 rpm. I imagine it's the governor. If this bolt was adjusted tighter and the idle screw reduced to keep idle low, could that fix the issue? Or would it have to be a different spring? This truck was messed with by the previous owner. He did a lot to the IP and added a turbo kit himself. I am thinking he messed up the settings. Any answer would be much appreciated!!!

[@StevenDonaldonYouTube]

Please?

[@selador11]

I just noticed the brake light is on, on your dash. Is that always on? And if so, do you know why?

[@MacRobbSimpson]

left the parking brake on? I know it currently works correctly, at least as far as the parking brake goes; the "low vacuum" switch is long deleted.

[@selador11]

LOL makes sense How do you delete that switch without causing that light to always be on?

[@MacRobbSimpson]

@@selador11 Just unplug the switch.

[@selador11]

Never mind. LOL I just thought about it. two wires. I have a 50-50 chance. Twist the wires together, or leave them separate. LOL

[@MacRobbSimpson]

@@selador11 You don't even have to do that - literally just unplug the switch. No need to cut the harness or anything.

[@selador11]

Hi Mac. I know this is old. Sorry if this question is a pain in the butt. LOL That long brass nut in the middle of that shaft, that you adjusted... I'll assume that if your turn it to the right, it moves toward the driver's seat. If you turn it left, it moves toward the headlights. If that is correct, so far... Which direction is advance, and which is lowering the idle?

[@MacRobbSimpson]

To the right(clockwise), towards the driver's seat will lower the idle, and adjust the maximum governed RPM/fueling down. To the left, counter clockwise, will extend the governor assy, increase idle, and make the pedal have more push against the governor flyweights.

[@selador11]

Thank you very much! =0)

[@mattmccool9243]

Show us the best way to adjust the wastgate on the banks sidewinder for more boost

[@MacRobbSimpson]

The easiest way is to just unplug the darned thing! That'll give you max boost - should peak at over 15 psi(probably 18-20 max) - at least with a maxed-out stock IP. Be aware that the turbo doesn't do much beyond about 12-13 - We've experimented with my '92 and found that with it plugged in and set to around 10, it'll peak at 12 or so, and mostly clean it up. Unplug and we hit over 15(15 psi gauge pegged), and it cleans up nicely. It's pretty impressive hauling a trailer with that setup - taking a 5-7% grade at 50MPH, foot to the floor in 3rd with 12k behind you, the turbo just going flat out. This is with stock head gaskets and stock bolts, BTW... But getting it hot doing that does stress old gaskets - it started to weep coolant from the rear corners of the head gasket. (exactly the same thing my '93 did with stock power levels when the belt tensioner broke and it got a wee bit hot limping it to the auto parts store - it finally blew about a year later after running that year at 250rwhp - over double stock power). As far as plain adjustment, you simply need the rod to need more force to open - so just pull the little keeper pin that connects the waste gate rod to the turbo, slide it off the pin and tighten it down. Shortening the effective rod length makes it harder to open = higher PSI. You can also do things like taking a stiff spring and connecting it to the waste gate actuator, to again, make it require more force to open that wastegate.

[@chasespellman1165]

how did you run that hud display? whatd you run it to and whatd it come off of?? I wan one!

[@MacRobbSimpson]

The rectangle one? That's a 20x4 character display driven by an Arduino Uno. I've got a chip that takes the tach input(which is a low AC voltage) and converts it into a series of pulses. The arduino uses that to calculate RPM, and then divide it out into speed in each gear.

[@chasespellman1165]

could you build me a set up like that?

[@1stlast290]

👍

[@junkyarddog7988]

What does this governor do?

[@MacRobbSimpson]

The part you see here is a set of springs that basically balances throttle input(from the throttle lever) against RPM(via the flyweights at the bottom-front of the IP). It both controls part-load operation(so you get a measured throttle response) as well as min/max - idle and WOT/max RPM control.

[@selador11]

By the way, did you see the vid of the guy who ran his with the cover completely off of the IP? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJjUgIeIbd2LeKs