first post, help me get started with older Fords!

[Robw_z]

I'm a foreign car guy, but previously owned a '72 E150 Econoline with a 302. I'd now like to get a van of the same vintage('68-'74 right?) and use it for traveling and camping. Now for my questions:

1.) Were the Econoline vans built on truck frames? What are the major differences between these frames and engine placements(speaking of '68-74 here).

2.) Were any diesel models available? If not I'd like to convert one to diesel anyway as I'm building this for maximum gas mileage(but still want some power!). What kind of diesel engine should I look for and do you think this is a good idea?

3.) What kind of gas mileage could I expect with a well-tuned gas or diesel Econoline?

4.) Can anyone think of another forum that may be better able to answer my questions? Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide!

-Rob

[Charlie Foxtrot]

No personal experience, but I have some ideas.

First, if you've never converted a vehicle from gas to diesel or done extensive re-engineering, especially in an application that no one has done before, I don't recommend it.

Second, I'd bet the popular current American diesel pickup truck engines are way too big to fit in the engine compartment of the old Econoline. While you can do just about anything with enough skill and money, I don't see it coming out well. I'd look at the old Lincoln Mk7/BMW diesel 6 cyl, or maybe a Japanese or European truck diesel. With some talent and hard work, you might be able to do the Mk7/BMW engine fairly cheaply, but the other choices will be hella expensive. And parts will be hard to find for the BMW, and VERY hard for the rest. Oh, a Mercedes car engine might be economical to do and maintain.

Maybe that's the plan, get a totalled or rusted (or just cheap) '80s Mercedes 300SD, pull the turbo diesel engine and trans, and sell the remaining parts. I think I saw one at Goodwill the other day. Otherwise, I bet what you spend to do it will FAR exceed the fuel you save vs a good 302.

And BTW, I LIKE diesels. And I like old Econolines too. It'd be a neat project, only appreciated by a few wierdos like me and you.

Good luck with it!

cf

[cocot]

Look at this site: http://forums.ford-trucks.com/ubbthr...t=&Board=UBB12

[blue_mule]

the Cummins 4BT (4 cylinder turbo) is a good combo... many step vans use this combo... pretty easy swap with the right trans adapter, which is available through Cummins too.