Sorry if I got this in the wrong section, it just seemed most appropriate as its mostly about IDI... Anyways, heres the situation: Currently I've got a 1989 Ford F350 with a 460 and E4OD auto (2WD). The body and interior are in near perfect shape, and the engine is weak. Tranny shifts tight, I'm just dropping in a new front seal and torque converter. So that's not a concern as far as power burning the tranny out.

Here's my contemplation: I'm going to go look at a 1986 Ford F350 with a new 7.3L IDI diesel (so I've been told, I'll verify before I buy). It is not turbo AFAIK. What I've been wondering, is since the 1986 is a complete truck,how hard would it be and what would be involved in swapping the 460 out for the IDI since I'll have virtually all the parts except the dash instrumentation and the diesel ECU for the E4OD, which I can grab very easily around here.

It seems to me that the mounts might be the same or easy to swap? One guy said they were the same elsewhere. Any ideas here?

The only other thing would be the bellhousing pattern, it seems that it can be modified to match the diesel bellhousing pattern by some drilling. Is this true? I'm not worried about the tranny not being able to handle the power, as it's built to handle a much more powerful engine already (the 460), and I'm not intent on turning the engine up much if I turbo it.

I could get my fuel tanks out of the 86, and my fuel lines &c.

Anything else I'm missing?

 

There is no direct swap for any diesel engine transmission to a gasser 7.5L engine in my experience. For that matter I really think you are downgrading your powertrain. Stick with the 460/7.5L or trace/purchase a different truck. It will be easier in the long run.

 

since you have a donor truck, the swap will be pretty much straight forward.
the trans will not work though. you need a diesel trans.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "new"- is it rebuilt or is Navistar still making these? It also couldn't be the original engine, the 7.3 didn't come out for another year.

 

^ I found out I need a diesel tranny, I found one with 5K on it, with the standalone controller.

Engine mounts are bolt on, so no frame welding .

It is not the original engine. Original was a 6.9L, then they bought this 7.3L new as a crate engine from International NaviStar, and used it very little. Hence it's "new", never been rebuilt. And no NaviStar is not making these anymore - they got it as one of the last off the shelf from NaviStar.

 

Will a E4OD out of a 1990 Ford Van behind a IDI work? As far as linkage goes? I'd need a 1990 controller, correct?

 

Edit: the transmission is out of a 1991 Ford Van.

 

It would work as long as your truck is 2WD, but I would stay well clear of a 90-91 E4OD unless they've been rebuilt to the 95-97 specifications.

 

Yes the truck is 2WD, and no the tranny has not been rebuilt but only has 5,000 miles on it (verified). So if I get 120K out of it I'll still be doing okay and then I can rebuild it to newer specs. Currently I have a 89 2WD E4OD in the truck so it should bolt right in, which will be REALLY nice.