I'm starting a new project and have never messed with a diesel before and I'm hoping for a little help from you all. A few questions to start with... Have stock motorcraft glow plugs and are they 6 or 12 volt can I wire them up with a manual switch to the 12 volt system? Does this engine need 2 batteries to start and run or will 1 do the work? Will 2 1/2 inch exhaust work ok after the headers I made so it'll fit? Sure I'll have lots more questions as the build continues..thanks

 

sorry this is the rebuild engine the other was for test fit while rebuilding

 

12 volt to the glow plugs is fine, as is going with a manual switch. They pull a lot of amps, so using a heavy duty relay is a good idea. The stock 6.9 glow plug relay is known to fail in the on position, so bypassing it or using a 7.3 style system are good ideas.

I don't have a good answer for the batteries.... In cold temperatures you will likely need two, but if this is more of a show truck only when its warmer, may be able to get buy with one, especially if its bigger. Wait for others advice on that..

2-1/2 inches for exhaust should be plenty unless you are planning to put a turbo in. Sounds like you already built the headers, so not looking for a turbo, I'd say you are fine.

Maybe its just me, but that looks awfully low in the frame, not that i've really looked at many old trucks before... This will be fun to watch though

 

2 1/2 inch exhaust will be fine without turbo. 3 inch would be better though.
12 volts to the glow plugs with manual switch will be good, but you need a GOOD relay.
i recommend a White-Rodgers/Stancor.
here is the best price: https://dieselorings.com/products/16...low-plug-relay

 

another shot. When the air filter and fuel filter is on it'll look a little higher and fit under the hood. I had to keep it a little low so the rest of the drive train would fit and clear the frame. Running a zf 5 speed and a dana rear end out of a 60s f250. The trucks a 3/4 ton so it should be able to keep everything together. It's actually a tight fit and had to modify the firewall for the engine to fit and still have room for the radiator. This won't be a show truck more everyday use. I'm in Oklahoma so about 3-4 months of cold. Could I just keep the block heater plugged in during those months or best to try and figure out where to put 2 batteries.
Been reading a lot in this forum about return lines anyone know the simplest set up to use?

 

quick shot of the interior as you can see the transmission is tucked in pretty close.

 

Definitely watching this! I've always wondered if an idi would fit into a first-generation F series; I didn't think it would fit until the '61 models. Will the steering shaft work without modification? I read in this article Cummins-Powered Ford: Family-Built F-3 - Diesel World (dieselworldmag.com) that with a 6BT they had to off-center the engine to the right a little. I like to see diesel swaps beyond 12 valves! Keep it going!

 

I'm in OK too. I can start my truck with 8-10 seconds of manual glow plugs even in the winter. Then again, I installed dual Series 31 batteries in my Bullnose truck.