How tricky a swap is a known good 93 5.8 from an E150 into a 95 E350 with 7.5? Will the '95 tranny take the 5.8? A major concern is getting through California smog check. Fortunately '95 is pre OBD-II so I have to get it by a pair of eyes rather than a computer. It's also a recent immigrant so there's no expectation to meet California specific requirements.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 187K miles

 

No it will not work too well. The 5.8 is a 351 small block. The 7.5L is a 460 big block. The trans will not match up. To do that swap you need to swap the brainbox, wiring harness, and trans. Not to mention, you will lose a lot by putting that small block into an E350. That is a lot of body for a little motor.

 

Everything's different. Big waste of time and effort.

 

Easier to tack on some extra frame and drop the E350 extended body on the E150 frame? Kidding

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 187K miles

 

Well I do think that the 5.8L was available in the E350 so to say it's to much van for the engine is not correct. The fact that you would need the wiring harness, computer, transmission, and a misc. other small items to do the swap does not prevent you from doing it but will add to the cost and complication in doing it.

Also the one question not asked or answered is WHY?

Is the 7.5L worn out? Consider having it rebuilt or replaced with another one.

 

The E350 of that vintage was available in cargo and passenger configurations with the 4.9 I6. Maybe to go downhill loaded and ascend empty? We had a '77 E250 with a 460 eons ago and I wasn't a fan of the engine. In this case, I have my eye on a '95 E350 with a 460. The plan is to move most of the interior from the E150 to the E350. Why not the engine and transmission I know are good? I don't mind the work if it's plug and play. If AC hoses won't line up or harnesses aren't a clean swap or there's welding involved, forget it. I wonder if there's any demand for a good used E150 with a 460

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 187K miles

 

Like I said, not good swap. A lot has to be changed and modified. You are going from a big block to a small block. That changes everything, even trans crossmember location I believe.

As for them coming with 351's....I am not finding anywhere stating this. The E-series is the same as the F-series in these terms. They did not put any 5.8L's in the F-350's for sure. I can't believe they would put one in, a possibly heavier, E-350.

 

A quick web search and I found that in the E-350 in1993 you could get the 4.9L I6, the 5.8L, 7.5L, and the 7.3L PSD. The 6 would have been for the base cargo version only most likely. The club wagon or extended cargo van the 5.8L would have been standard.

 

I see.

Regardless of whether it was an option or not, it was not a wise option on the weight of the vehicle. I had an 88 F250 long bed, ext cab, 4wd...and it had the 351. Its not that it couldn't push it. It was just too sluggish on getting going and got horrendous fuel mileage. I ended up swapping with a 7.5L and got better mileage with that engine than the 351.