Hey guys I just got an 82 f250 single cab long bed 4x4 300 manual trans. Not too bad body but I can restore the interior and say it’s an ok truck, then Paint and it’ll be sweet. So………

i was thinking about the motor. I can rank my desired motors in a list as follows
7.3powerstroke/7.3idi/6.9
460
4.9
302/351
other (390 or whatever you can imagine)

currently I have a carbureted 4.9L and I am cool with a couple upgrades to it and calling it a day.
Not much need to upgrade except for fun. This is my favorite bodystyle so I guess that’s a reason to fix it up or engine swap it or whatever maybe I’ll LS swap it, j/k please don’t ki$& me

i just want to know if u guys could help me with links and links and links. I want to know the cost and difficulty of a diesel swap, or 460. I also want links about info for this generation. Anything cool you feel like I should know

id also like to know what you guys like. Some ideas or pointing me to threads.

am I crazy, should I keep it original, should I diesel swap it and roll coal, should I build a drag strip 460 , should I may it a nice daily driver, these trucks are bad *** and getting old I just want Input before committing to something expensive.

my current plan is to paint it and fix my interior, but that is after i do a Holley sniper or something with a new offenhauser intake and maybe dual exhaust or even a stack in the bed with a flapper. Idk yet. Call me crazy or throw me a Red Bull and a tool box! Pics to come!

 

If crazy or not we are not doctors so we can't say but if you want Tobe called crazy so be it crazy LOL

Not knowing what the truck will be used for we can't say what "WE" would do if it was ours.
Me I like the 300 six in my 81 F100 4x2 flare side with manual trans.
Only upgrade I did was run EFI exhaust manifolds and 94 factory pipes, less cat, to the rear.
My truck is used to haul weekly trash to dump, to from work once in a while, 40 miles each way, cruise ins and shows and if need back up to pull my 20 foot open deck car trailer.
It dode everything I need it to so far.
Dave ----

 

While I have the 7.3 idi in my truck and I like it, if I were going to do a diesel swap in your situation, I would swap in a cummins inline six. The simple one with the 12 valves and mechanical injection.

But seeing how much diesel cost per gallon lately, I think I would leave the 300 six, leave it completely stock, and drive it.

 

To quote the Spice Girls:

“Tell me what you want, what you really really want…”



Don’t pretend you don’t know that song or haven’t danced around the kitchen to it.

You’ve listed so many engine options, but we have no idea of your intentions for the truck.

Want to impress attractive women with questionable morals by doing donuts in the DQ parking lot? Got money to burn repeatedly filling the tank? Go for the 460.

Need a somewhat economical daily driver with occasional light hauling? Keep the 6.

Pulling a horse trailer? Go big, either the diesel or 460.

Myself, I’ve got the 351W and use the truck as an occasional second vehicle, in the snow, and hauling a slide-in camper. Power is adequate for my needs, but I’m at no risk of neck injury due to acceleration.

 

7.3 Godzilla!!!!

 

I like the diesel swap idea. Diesel motor sounds appease the monkey brain. I haven't worked on a gas powered truck in years so I can not recall what is or isn't in the engine bay but I know the old IDIs are stupid simple. So if your cross member is strong enough (the motor weighs around 1000 pounds) then slap one of those in there. Most of what you would need already sits on the motor (glow plugs, injection pump, air cleaner/turbo). Other then that you really only need fuel lines running to the tank.

You might run into issues with transmission compatibility. If I remember correctly, the diesels use a different bell housing than the gas motors so you'd have find one of those to adapt the original transmission. I know a guy who's trying to get rid of his

 

You can probably find an old IDI in a junk yard or your neighbor's back yard. But incase you want to buy a rebuilt one to make it more plug-and-play there's this company IDI Performance.

 

You could put any motor in there, but IMO if you want to use the truck, drive the truck, rely on it and have it available now, spruce up the 300 and motor on.