Engine swap
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2025
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Engine swap
1979 f250 super cab 2nd 460 auto.
engine is on its way out.
I’m not into electronics. Would prefer carb or mechanical fuel injection or less computer stuff
would love a diesel.
Basically I want fuel economy. I’m not towing
Big block is expensive to run. I’m in Alberta so gas is like $8 a gallon.
cummins crate motor? R2.8 or 4 bt? 6bt
truck is 2wd
would a 3”body lift provide enough clearance for cross member and steering linkage?
or just put another 460 in it and drive it less?
engine is on its way out.
I’m not into electronics. Would prefer carb or mechanical fuel injection or less computer stuff
would love a diesel.
Basically I want fuel economy. I’m not towing
Big block is expensive to run. I’m in Alberta so gas is like $8 a gallon.
cummins crate motor? R2.8 or 4 bt? 6bt
truck is 2wd
would a 3”body lift provide enough clearance for cross member and steering linkage?
or just put another 460 in it and drive it less?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 132
Likes: 16
From: New Hampshire
At $8/gal and 10mpg thats $0.80 per mile. A $10k engine swap cost is equivalent to roughly 12k mi worth of gas. Your actual break even miles driven will be considerably more since your diesel swap mpg would be (in dreamland) say 20mpg. Assuming diesel costs the same as gas (it doesn't), those 12k miles still cost you $4800 to drive. You would have to drive a heck of a lot to make the swap cost effective. Or be a fab wizard with access to super cheap engines so your swap costs were negligible. Or be able to brew your own biodiesel. But just a Cummins swap alone won't solve things. Now Alberta seceding on the other hand....
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2025
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I'm burning 87 octane farm gas. Anyone recommend a crate engine? I want reliable fuel efficient and of course power hahaha.
I'm guessing with 87 octane which is what it has to burn that a OEM type engine is probably the limit?
I'm guessing with 87 octane which is what it has to burn that a OEM type engine is probably the limit?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 132
Likes: 16
From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Farmer1#;[url=tel:21597051
21597051[/url]]I'm burning 87 octane farm gas. Anyone recommend a crate engine? I want reliable fuel efficient and of course power hahaha.
I'm guessing with 87 octane which is what it has to burn that a OEM type engine is probably the limit?
I'm guessing with 87 octane which is what it has to burn that a OEM type engine is probably the limit?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 607
Likes: 153
From: Canada
Run an AVS2 and upgrade the distributor. But you won't find a crate for a good price on a 460. You need an engine builder. And then when you realize you want the HP just accept the 4 miles per gallon. And grab another cheap truck or van with better fuel economy. While you fix up your sweet 650 HP 460 truck. Cheap 90s ranger is always good.
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5th Gear
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I agree but none in my area
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 607
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From: Canada
If you have a farm you can brew up to 20 000 liters of ethanol at a time for fuel. You can then get an E85 carb and make your own fuel. Which would gain power and make you the guy who brews his own fuel. If you really want to be a redneck.
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 5
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Run an AVS2 and upgrade the distributor. But you won't find a crate for a good price on a 460. You need an engine builder. And then when you realize you want the HP just accept the 4 miles per gallon. And grab another cheap truck or van with better fuel economy. While you fix up your sweet 650 HP 460 truck. Cheap 90s ranger is always good.
I want to use the truck during summer months. I like the truck. I'm on a farm. Everything is far away. $100 bucks or more every time I run to town.
Just idling around farm checking cows I can burn a t a nk of fuel almost as fast as going down a highway.
Im wondering why I couldn't just use adapter plate and run a 4bt on stock c6 auto? Truck has 3.55 rear. Even if the truck only went 65mph I don't care.
body lift to clear crossmember and steering. Maybe cut and weld the oil pan for clearance and go to a dry sump? Probably cheaper for me to buy a 6bt than a 4 bt .
it would just be nice to be able to afford to drive the truck
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5th Gear
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 607
Likes: 153
From: Canada
I don't know if the RPM range would be ideal for the C6 to shift right. Would probably want a stick shift. I hate to say it. But maybe just get a (spits) Dodge with a Cummins in it. Probably be cheap.
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