I have a '77 f-150 4x4, 400m, 4speed. I think the engine is totally worn out. It uses about 1 quart of oil for every 40 miles of driving. Some of it leaks out but most of it is coming out the tailpipe. I have another engine, it is a 6.9 diesel currrently sitting in a 92 international cube van. I am going to scrap the van but the engine is still good. Does anyone know anything about putting one of these diesels in an older truck like mine? Can it be done?

 

Its been done a lot of times. I put a 7.3 diesel in my 76 f-250 in 2 days. Its not hard if you can weld.

 

I dont know about motor mounts, but like said above, if youve got a little time and a welder, it shouldnt be that hard at all really.

 

Ditto that, it's a popular swap if you can work a welder and fabricate, even though gas seems to have settled at around $3.80 and diesel is around $4.40, when the diesel is getting twice the mileage as the gas it's hard not to at least consider the diesel swap, a lot of guys have done it, personally speaking i'd do it too were were my highboy a daily driver, but it's a weekend truck with a FE that sucks down 8mpg and i'm ok with that, i have a '83 ranger with a 2.2L diesel that pulls down 35mpg (40 highway) for my daily driver.

 

dang.... gas is 3.55 and diesel is 4.09 here. tis also why im looking at the 7.3 swap. 9mpg@ $3.55 or 17mpg $4.09. Not to mention that a 7.3 will run great for about 250k miles whereas you can expect 100-150k out of a gas

 

You maintain those diesels and they'll treat you well, keep up on the oil/fuel filter changes and you can get upwards of a half million miles out of em, i got 359,000 on my ranger and no signs of needing a rebuild yet (knock on wood) i've toyed with the idea of dropping a cummins in my highboy but i just can't bring myself to yank that FE.

 

I know the 7.3 and the 6.9 are virtually the same. Will I need an adapter plate, I want to keep the original transmision.

 

F250 yes, F150 no. Weighs too much, and you'll be patching up with heavier springs, bent parts etc.

Rebuild your 400 into a high-compression better cammed better carbed overdriven 351.

Just a suggestion.

 

yea hes right i didnt notice it was a half ton... thats why i didnt do my f-150... my new F-350 on the other hand....

 

Let's assume I'm determined to drop this diesel into my 1/2 ton, I can beef up my front springs, what else do I have to do?

 

Figure it weighs 800-900 lbs. a bit more than the 400's 575. Add the extra battery, oil, bigger radiator, maybe you end up almost 500lbs more.

Box in the frame, change to F250 axles and steering gear.

Or, just do the springs and see what happens.

 

well if you leave the D44 in there you will most likely be changing wheel bearings twice a year.. especially with bigger tires.... best way... get a D60 or equivalent axle convert it to leaf springs, and go crossover steering. Dont forget youll need something stouter than a 9" for all that torque too.... so once again.. youre looking at a donor truck. in this position, id get a set of .040 over pistons with some dome on em, some bigger valves a nice hefty cam, a set of headers, an intake and a 650/670cfm carb, and haul that wore out beast down to the machine shop. If you were dead set on putting a diesel in there... id go over to the engine swap forum and find the guys who have put the 3.9 cummins in thier trucks.

 

I second the 4 cylinder cummins.

 

I'm all for the 5.9 (6bt) cummins, but if you are REALLY concerned about the 1/2 ton truck deal then the 3.9 (4bt) is a great idea. It's an easy swap that will have decent power and get great gas mileage. Plus a motor can be found for cheap in an old bread/Frito lay panel truck.

 

Have two of your 250lb buddys sit on the hood and there's your weight difference.

I know a guy who put a 5.9 cummins in a 92 F150. Worked good, just put in heavy duty "Snow plow" springs from JC whitney. Oh and he destroyed the rear pinion while towing. Keep that part in mind......

I vote to do it.

-J