Hello fellow Ford brothers! I have never had a diesel, but I have a very interesting and serious project. I want to put a ford diesel in my 1966 F250 Crew Cab...along with an automatic transmission. The truck is currently set up with a 390 and a c6...it was an original automatic so there is little issue there. What I need is good sound advice on the best way to proceed. I am new to the diesel world, but very knowledgeable in gas engines. This truck will be going through a complete restore. When finished, it will be a daily driver with occasional heavy towing (car trailer, large RV trailer, etc...) all advice welcome. I live in Arizona where it is warm and it will have a new wiring harness and disk brakes.
Thanks in advance,
John

 

I am not sure I would recommend that swap. The diesel is way heavier and has so much torque that I do not think the frame will handle it. A 6.9 or 7.3 IDI weigh about 1200 pounds and diesel frames are way thicker metal than gas motors. That is where the heavy duty comes from. Radiators are different, fuel system is completely different, wiring system is completely different. The drive line may have to have some major changes as well.

 

That's a wild Idea, at least you could still use a C-6 (would have to be a diesel one, but...). I was thinking about putting one in our old '57 International 4x4.

I've seen an old Ford 1 ton truck with a 3208 Cat in it, I think a little 6.9/7.3 would be OK in a 250.

 

I am sure the frame and suspension will handle it. I have looked at the newer diesel trucks and their frame isn't as heavy as the twin I-beam frame this truck has. I have welded on both and my bet is on the twin I-beam. Not to upset the my fellow Ford brothers, but one friend is suggesting a Cummins Turbo diesel with an Allison transmission. I was planning to put a f350 rear disc axle from an e350 van. in the back. If I gear it right, I should be able to cruise the highways, yet pull a decent load...(nothing I wouldn't normally pull with an F250) I would like to keep it all Ford, but the Cummins Diesel is tempting. I just don't know enough about the Ford diesels.
Keep the comments coming...good or bad. I have time before I have to get to the engine and tranny.
thanks.

 

The Ford/International 7.3 Diesels are good engines. It is the E4OD auto transmissions that are the weak point. The newer ones are obviously better (say less than 5 years old) but the Cummins/ Allison might be a better unit all around. I understand that the 7.3 powerstroke and the older non-turbo are basically interchangeable. Given a choice, in your position I would go with a 7.3 and a manual transmission. I have no clue whether the 250 is up to the weight of a diesel. If you do it and the front seems to sag, look at the springs for a snowplow package, they would help.
Chris

 

The springs for a snowplow package are still not heavy enough.

Your best bet would be to keep the modern HD frame and bolt the '66 body to it. Lots less work, and you'd get the benefits that your looking for.

 

Hi John ... this sounds like a great project. I do know the c-6 for gassers and the c-6 for the diesel are different. More clutches in the diesel model for sure. You did not tell us where you are getting the engine from .. i would think it would be easier to put the older body on the newer frame . Keep us posted.

 

Ofcdn

I am considering the same swap for my 66 crew cab. I have located a complete 89 donor truck with the 7.3 and an automatic. If i do this I will place this on a 79 F150 trailer towing special frame with my 66 cab and a split uni bed. You are correct that the frames between series are the same frame. even the i beams and radius arms are the same part # for F100 to F250.

Have a custom set of springs made at the local spring shop to support the weight. and make shure you use the 65 66 forged radius arms and not the later stamped fabbed ones.

The stock correct FE (352) in your truck with all trim and a four speed cast iron tranny weighs in at close to a grand. Its not a 302/351 feather weight the rest of the posters may be used to.

I would still pay close attention to the area of the spring perches as they have only six rivits holding them on and possibly add reinforcments and extra welds to this area.. your 66 will be rusted in between the frame and the perch. Not a good spot for this type of frame.

Also upgrade to power steering as the added weight will only compound the armstrong steering.

Is yours a Crown or a Ford Factory crew?

Garbz

 

It is a factory ford...and a factory automatic...orginally with a straight 6. I don't mind modifying the suspension, but I would rather not swap frames. This one has been in Arizona so long, that it has almost no rust. I seems I will have to research the weight issue. Keep the ideas coming!

John

 

Go for it! I really dont think suspension is going to be that big of an issue, your 390 weighs like 650lbs or something, so i would just add a few more leafs to the front. I know a guy who swapped a 6.9 into his '72 with very little modifications.

Brad

 

my "supposed" F-250 4x4(6.9 diesel) is on a 350 chassis. they did this I understand to deal with the weight issue.my 1 ton front leafs need to be done "again"-that 420 diesel is a heavyweight so before you get to it find out "for sure"!!

 

On the old fords you can shim the front springs to bring up the alignment. The Cummins is a lot lighter and overall just as good if not a better engine, but they are rpm limited. This swap is easily feasible, just do it right the first time. Don't worry about the weight. It won't be any heavier than an FE with a snowplow or a really heavy home-made cow catcher bumper.