Hello and thanks in advance to all replies.
I have a 84 F-250 ext cab with a 6.9 diesel engine. It is burning lots of oil (1 qt per 15 gals approx.) and smokes likes a chimney. I'm thinking of replacing it with a gas engine. I've always like the 351 but I'm wondering what engine might convert easier. I currently have a 4 speed manual tranny and really enjoy it and would like to keep it if it will match up.

any suggestions?
Thanks Dave

 

I don't think there is a gas engine that will bolt right up to your tranny without changing the bellhousing. The swap shouldn't be overly difficult, it will just take time, money and cash. If the diesel is running well except for the oil consumption, I would check into rebuilding it. You should be able to rebuild it for less than $2,000 barring any unforeseen problems. It would cost you this or more if converting to gas.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

 

 

I recently did the same conversion accept mine was an '85. It also had an automatic trans. Take note you will have to change the bellhousing. Also when i did mine I converted it from a automatic to a manual becuase i had a diesel c6 that would not bolt up to the 460. The wiring harness will also have to be changed along with the motor mounts. there is alot of stuff on the diesel engine that you dont need for the gas and you will have to remove all of that.

 

Thank for the reply DannyP and yes I've thought about rebuilding the 6.9. It's a good strong engine and other than blocking out the sky and everyone else behind me it has run very well. I have been wondering about the cost differance between rebuilding the Deisel and replacing it with a gas engine.
Thanks for the info
Dave

 

Hi, if you rebuild the diesel you know that it will be good for a whole lot more miles than the gas engine will run. I wouldn't trade my diesel for any gas engine. the gas runs quieter and is much faster but there is just something about that diesel..... it has so much torque and gets better mileage than the gas engine. If you change over to gas most everything from the bellhousing forward will have to be changed there wasn't much that was the same between the two trucks (gas and diesel)
John

 

Hey, Folks: I fantasize about converting my 351w to a deisel, mostly for power and mpg. What can you tell me about this conversion? Super expensive?

 

I am pretty sure that the front end of a diesel is more heavy duty then a regular truck. My dads truck was a 1985 F250 diesel and legally it could only hold 300 more pounds then my F150 because of the diesel engine. I don't know how much work it would take but it would be quite interesting to find out.

C'Fordman