Gas to diesel conversion
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I do not know much about vans. But I can tell you the trucks have different wiring harnesses from gas to diesel models.
The 6.9 turbo will bolt right up to the 7.3.
You are gonna be swapping lots of parts though before you are done.
I am not sure about the E series, but most of the parts on the F series will swap from an 89 to an 86.
The 6.9 turbo will bolt right up to the 7.3.
You are gonna be swapping lots of parts though before you are done.
I am not sure about the E series, but most of the parts on the F series will swap from an 89 to an 86.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: APPLE VALLEY
Originally Posted by racingstudebaker
I'm doing about the same thing Ray. I have a '89 E-350 box truck for all the parts I need to put the 7.3 out of that into my '86 E-350 Cabriolet, RV Toter. The RV toter has a 460 in it, but at 7 mpg, it's gotta go. I was wondering about the wiring, (except for the battery and starter wiring), does anybody know if the diesel wiring is in the '86 E-350 harness already? That, and I have a Banks turbo setup on a 6.9, will that slap right on the 7.3?
It looks like it's gonna be a hell of a job, just getting the parts out is gonna be a job itself. I still think it's well worth it, fuel prices aren't gonna stop and I think there's gonna be a LOT more diesel drivers very soon.
I'll swap you stories about what it was like to swap 'em Ray. We actually need our own, diesel powered E- forum!
Good luck partner!
It looks like it's gonna be a hell of a job, just getting the parts out is gonna be a job itself. I still think it's well worth it, fuel prices aren't gonna stop and I think there's gonna be a LOT more diesel drivers very soon.
I'll swap you stories about what it was like to swap 'em Ray. We actually need our own, diesel powered E- forum!
Good luck partner!Today I tore apart the engine compartment harness in the diesel van. I started on the wiring behind the instrument panel. I had hoped the engine management wiring for the diesel was a separate harness. No such luck. It is a fully integrated harness.
I have a wiring manual for a 90 van; seems to be close. I mostly know what I have to do to substitute the diesel wiring for the gas wiring in my 84. I am an electronic engineer, so that helps. I have already done a lot to the wiring in my 84.
I had added an auxiliary battery to be used when the engine is not running. I don't want to give that up so as to have second battery for starting. I have it connected so it can help start, but it is not much good if I have run it dead overnight. It looks like two or three batteries will fit on the frame where the fuel vapor canisters are now; very close to the starter.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
I'd throw in all new glow plugs while it is out. If you're anywhere where it will get below 30 degrees you will want the new glow plugs if you want to get it started in the cold. Maybe a block heater if there is none on it already. Also check all the seals for leaks. Maybe new injectors, how many miles on it?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buffoonalo, Yew Nork
Hmm.. I dunno if the diesel wiring being fully integrated is good or bad for me. I'm still wondering if the wiring for the '86 has the diesel wiring already included in it if it started life as a gasser. I gotta get a wiring diagrams manual for the '86 I guess. But no real problem, I'll just change what I have to change from the diesel van to the gasser, it's WELL worth it. 
The OTHER thing that happened to me is, after reading a LOT of the posts here, I'm gonna put my great running, Banks turbo'ed, '86 6.9 and C-6 with the Gear Vendors OD in the "new" truck, instead of the 7.3. From what I see, the hassle of control wiring for the 7.3 just isn't worth the effort. The 7.3 I have is an '89, and I can keep that in case I would ever need backup.
The OTHER thing that happened to me is, after reading a LOT of the posts here, I'm gonna put my great running, Banks turbo'ed, '86 6.9 and C-6 with the Gear Vendors OD in the "new" truck, instead of the 7.3. From what I see, the hassle of control wiring for the 7.3 just isn't worth the effort. The 7.3 I have is an '89, and I can keep that in case I would ever need backup.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buffoonalo, Yew Nork
Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
I do not know much about vans. But I can tell you the trucks have different wiring harnesses from gas to diesel models.
The 6.9 turbo will bolt right up to the 7.3.
You are gonna be swapping lots of parts though before you are done.
I am not sure about the E series, but most of the parts on the F series will swap from an 89 to an 86.
The 6.9 turbo will bolt right up to the 7.3.
You are gonna be swapping lots of parts though before you are done.
I am not sure about the E series, but most of the parts on the F series will swap from an 89 to an 86.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buffoonalo, Yew Nork
Originally Posted by ATVer1992
I'd throw in all new glow plugs while it is out. If you're anywhere where it will get below 30 degrees you will want the new glow plugs if you want to get it started in the cold. Maybe a block heater if there is none on it already. Also check all the seals for leaks. Maybe new injectors, how many miles on it?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buffoonalo, Yew Nork
Originally Posted by ATVer1992
You from buffalo? West seneca here.
Great! You're stuck in the house to huh? I'm waiting for the weather to break so I can go pick up my 33 foot 5th wheel at Long Island. Truth is, the 5th wheel is the preamble for moving to South Carolina, can't take much more of the "fun" here.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Sorry to hear you're unhappy with the weather here, sure it can get cold, but I love the snow. Actually im in school in Rochester but come back on weekends. Too bad we didn't get more snow this winter, i was really lookin forward to makin some trails with my new studded snows 
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buffoonalo, Yew Nork
Originally Posted by ATVer1992
Sorry to hear you're unhappy with the weather here, sure it can get cold, but I love the snow. Actually im in school in Rochester but come back on weekends. Too bad we didn't get more snow this winter, i was really lookin forward to makin some trails with my new studded snows
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
I like the contrast of winter/summer. All winter you think about all the things you can do and kind of plan what you will do when its nicer out and yet all summer i think about what ill be doin with a foot or two of snow on the ground. If it was always the same i would be bored. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Can I bring my snow plow up and visit? We did not get any snow to speak of so far this winter. I am having snow plow DT's this year.
How much is on the ground now, I wanna come play. My plow is lonely and feeling left out. Should be able to be there in 7 hours of driving.
That 89 7.3 is still and IDI motor, they are idential to the 6.9 as far as wiring goes.
I can talk you through the wiring of an IDI motor to a gasser harness in just a little bit.
As far as that goes you could go as new as a 94 IDI 7.3 turbo motor and the wiring is still the same as an 83 6.9 with only minor changes in the glow plug circuit.
The nightmare is installing a Power Stroke motor in something one did not come in.
How much is on the ground now, I wanna come play. My plow is lonely and feeling left out. Should be able to be there in 7 hours of driving.
That 89 7.3 is still and IDI motor, they are idential to the 6.9 as far as wiring goes.
I can talk you through the wiring of an IDI motor to a gasser harness in just a little bit.
As far as that goes you could go as new as a 94 IDI 7.3 turbo motor and the wiring is still the same as an 83 6.9 with only minor changes in the glow plug circuit.
The nightmare is installing a Power Stroke motor in something one did not come in.
Last edited by Dave Sponaugle; Mar 10, 2005 at 09:23 PM.