I have a 94f 250 extended cab with a 460 and two wheel drive. My buddy has a 96 crew cab that he is putting a cummins in and offered me the diesel engine 7.3 I think, trans, computer, transfer case for $1500. All i would need to get would be the axle and leaf springs in the front.

Would it be worth the effort and im assuming it all should pretty much just bolt right up. Only thing im leery about is I know absolutly nothing about diesels. I know this engine is good and the trans was just rebuilt which I helped him put in so everything is in good order as far as being mechanically sound.

My concern is the maintance is going to cost more since it takes more oil. I think I might need to add another battery( I think diesel is 24v right?) Then I'll probably have to plug it in at night in the cold months and let it warm up for a bit and diesel usually cost more than gas.

I'm happy with my gas engine as far as power goes, the gas milage is between 9 and 10 mpg I by no means baby it which probably accounts for the gas milage. Is the diesel going to get better gas milage to be worth the added maintance costs and fuel expense. Does the diesel have more power than the 460? Could I just take the transfer case and make it 4x4 with my existing engine and trans?
Thanks for any imput

 

The 9 and 10 mpg isn't how you drive it, that's what these trucks get going downhill with a tail wind.

Honestly, I think you could find a donor diesel truck in decent shape with a ruined powertrain to put that 7.3 into for less cost and work than it would take you to convert that 460 over.
You'll get better MPG with the diesel. But you'll have to drive it for 30 years to offset the cost of the swap.

 

I wouldn't swap a ps if I had one laying in my garage...too much work. Mechanical diesel swaps are much easier. There are a few things you can do to the 460 to increase mpg, like long tubes and modern converter. You'll never get more than low teens with the 460, but even 1 mpg increase is 10% savings at your current rate of consumption.

 

It's all the little stuff that will get you. Are the drive shafts different lengths with the different drive trains? What are your plans for a fuel system? Exhaust? You'll probably want new front springs, or at least shocks, the 7.3 is about 300 lbs heavier than a 460. Research the electrical side of the swap, it's been a decade since I looked into 7.3 swaps but that was the real pain with those motor. Most people kept the stock 7.3 dash because of the electronics. Misc. hardware adds up too.

Honestly, I'd just swap the truck to 4x4 if that's what you want then put money into the motor. 460 is a great motor just let it breath.

 

I wouldn't bother swapping it into your current truck, not worth it. Maybe keep an eye open for a diesel truck with bad motor or tranny for sale cheap. Lot easier swap

 

Thanks for the responses, sounds like more work than its worth. I may still look into makng it 4x4 tho. Even having a locked rear end it still gets stuck in snow pretty easy.

 

If your truck is clean, a 4x4 swap and some 460 mods are in order.

 

Personally I would leave it as is and by the time your snow is about to reappear, hopefully it's gone now, you may change trucks or your mind on the 4X4. Sandy