I'm about to throw myself headlong into rebuilding my 1979 F250, but where I live (the UK) fuel is far too expensive for me to consider leaving the 351 in place if I ever want to use the truck as a daily driver.
Trouble is, not knowing much about American vehicles, I'm not exactly sure what the diesel options are. I've obviously read about various 6.9l and 7.3l engines, but is there a smaller one available? Say.. 4 litre or thereabouts.
I'm quite capable of fitting an engine from another make, there are many Japanese motors to choose from, but I'd rather keep to a Ford unit if possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi,
I would put in a 6.9 diesel, aside from being reliable and if you don't run over 90 km/h it won't be too greedy !

Magic

 

Thanks for that, I'm not even sure how easy the 6.9 is to come by over here, but I better start looking.

Any idea what the rough MPG figures are for the 6.9 compared to a 351w? I'm imagining the 351 is going to return an average 15 MPG or so (remembering the UK gallon is bigger than the US one), think the big diesels will better that?

 

Think it might, if you dont have a heavy foot, also take into consideration that you will have an engine that will last longer & alot simpler as far as maintenance is concerned.

 

Oh yeah, there's no question that I will put a diesel engine of some kind in it. I'm just going through all the options to try and find a balance where I won't have to modify it too much which might cause me trouble later on, but at the same time I don't want to go to the effort and expense of converting it to a diesel engine that only does 2 MPG more than the original petrol motor.

There is always the option of converting the existing engine to run on LPG which is probably cheaper in the long-run, and certainly quicker for me to do. But I'm afraid I love diesels and not petrols, and to me it's worth the effort and expense, as long as I find the right motor.

Currently, if I can't find out enough about the Ford engines that would bolt straight in, it looks as though it will end up with a n/a Diahatsu 2.8 engine we've got in the yard from a rusted out Fourtrack.
Buuuuut.. this is going to mean losing (or massively modifying) the 4X4 because the front prop output shaft on the Jap box is on the opposite side to that of the truck.

decisions decisions decisions..

 

Seems a bit complicated but on the other hand if you already have an engine it might be worth the try? Will it be powerfull enough to dive that big weight??

 

well, I doubt a 2.8 NA diesel will be sufficient to move a '79 F250, but something like a 3.9 Cummins 4BTA would probably do pretty good... at least as good as a 351W.

I'm sorry I don't know what's available to you over there, but I'm a huge turbo diesel fan, and I think every vehicle on earth should have one!!

Forrest

 

I just have the plain IDI 6.9, K&N air filter, custom Redhots muffler, new guages, I also took out the original glow plug controller and replaced it with a manual switch & light. I isn't too fast but it can clim walls !!!!
Mike

Did you take a look at the gallery?

 

You might be suprised at what some of the underpowered Jap diesels can do. I have 6000 lb IH Scout that came from the factory with a Nissan SD33T that puts out a whopping 105hp and 180 lbft of torque. Its not much for accelaration, but in low range it will hang with any other 4x4 on the trail, plus it get 26mpg. The military spec humvee is the ultimate 4x4 and it only has around 150hp. In Japan they put the 4cyl Nissan ED33 in buses! You might be able to get by with a smaller, "underpowered" engine, just keep your expectations of what you want the truck to do realistic.

 

I dont know if its available in the UK, but International makes a 2.8L Powerstroke. It is a 4cyl, turbo, intercooled engine.

 

Thanks for the replies, that's given me a few numbers and names to go ringing around monday morning.

I know that a 2.8 isn't going to pull my house down, but I'm mainly going to use the truck for pretty light work (carrying 2 motorcross bikes and some camping gear etc) so it shouldn't be an issue. My only slight concern with a small engine is that it may work hard and struggle with the weight, pushing my fuel consumption back to where I started.

Ideally I'd have liked to have put a Mercedes OM364 engine (I think thats the number), as used in the 711/811 van range. This is a 3.9-ish litre long stroke 110hp turbo that we deal with all the time. Cracking engine, good on fuel and able to handle very high mileages without so much as a grunt of dessent. BUT (isn't there always a "but"?) the oil pick-up is at the front, meaning the sump would foul the front diff. In my mind it seems quite easy to go "ok Tom, you're losing the 4X4 anyway, why not fit independant front suspension?" but I suspect it's a long way from as simple as that.

Anyway, I'll ring around some handy numbers I've been given and let you knoww hat I come up with.

 

By the way, Mike.. I did view the gallery. Truck looks terrific, very similar to the appearance I've got in mind for mine. Hope mine looks that good!

 

get the pictures in when you are done, or even better, during the rebuilding ! Should be very interesting to follow the story till the end!!
Wish you courage !
Mike

 

AHHHHHH! IFS in a 79 Ford! Insanity! Sacriledge! JK A 6.9 or 7.3 would yield pretty decent fuel mileage. I'm not exactly sure, but they would bolt right up to your transfer case, maybe even your transmission. Heck, even getting a 7.3 PSD would be good for fuel mileage. My dad's getting 24 miles to the US gallon in his 1 ton. Add a turbo to the IDI 6.9 or 6.3 and propane injection and you'll be doing very well for fuel mileage, especially with the light hauling you'll be doing. Wouldn't be surprised if you got 20+ to the US gal.