I have been catching up on the archives and it appears I'm not the only one doing this sort of conversion, though I haven't seen anyone do it on an older truck like mine.

In any case, I'm planning to remove my 390 and plop in something I can use to run biodiesel, possibly by making my own. I think the idea is cool, plus it's excellent practice for the biodiesel airplane I want to build someday. I have little previous experience with diesel engines.

I understand that some engines appear to do better than others with bio, and for that reason the Ford PS 7.1-liter engine is in my sights if I can find a used one. Does anyone know if this puppy will drop into a '68 F100 body, and how difficult will it be to bolt to a T-18? Should I also consider swapping transmissions? The truck is a beater and I don't mind dropping a few grand on it to make it work *right*.

Yes, it also occurred to me to simply use it as a trade-in on a new F150 diesel. I'd like to save that as a last resort, I don't need another payment right now.

Thanks for any advice!

 

kaulike -- When doing the conversion, be sure to replace any rubber fuel lines with something synthetic. I remember reading somewhere that biodiesel does not react well with natural rubber and it will eat through it.

Cheers from Tulsa, OK! :-)
Dave