Hi all! Last fall I bought a 1987 E250 Camper van. Love it so far, but the 5.8L is murdering me in gas. This year I am considering swapping the engine for a diesel, as it should get better mileage, plus I can run homemade biodiesel (I had a rabbit diesel so have done that before).

I have searched and searched, and cannot come up with a solid "Swap" thread just a lot of people asking if its possible. Of course anythings possible, my question is simply is it a bolt in.

I will be using an IDI engine, pre power stroke to avoid all electronic problems. My van is carburated, so I am hoping the tanks will work as is, just need to swap filler necks to accept the larger diesel nozzle. I am hoping the switching etc will all work as is.

I will need to run the glow plugs, but I am great with electrics and can work that out no problem. I don't want to change anything inside really.

Here are my main questions:

I know I need engine and trans, the C6 on mine won't bolt up.

How about the frame? Will it accept the diesel engine with the right mounts? Or do I have to modify things there? This is my biggest concern.

Also the radiator, will I be able to bolt in the diesel radiator?

I am guessing I need the diesel front springs to accomodate the additional weight.

Anything else I am not thinking of ?

Any particular "Best" engine to start with in the 6.9/7.3 series? I will be rebuilding both the engine and trans prior to install.


I guess thats about it for now, its a very heavy van with the camper etc so it could use the extra torque and better mileage!

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...manifolds.html Have a read through this link for some good info.
Best engine would be a `87 6.9.
Quite a few guys on the IDI diesel page have swapped a van engine into an F Series so if you post there you should get plenty of info.