My 7.3L IDI Diesel is getting up there in miles...322,000. Still rides ok, but before I have the engine die on me while unprepared I thought I would get the ball rolling. Someone mentioned replacing it with a cummins diesel. More power and better build. I'm not a mechanic...I know probably enough just to get me in trouble. Does anyone think this is a good idea? Anyone think it a bad idea?

 

I would love to swap a cummins into my older f250 but i don't have the spare capital to do it. You may want to checkout www.fordcummins.com they have some kits to help you along with the swap. I believe there are a few more companies that can help you with parts, but i don't remember which one they are. Also few of the members on this board have completed the swap.

 

Thanks for the info...the website you recommended is just what I was looking for...Does anyone know if Cummins engines are better than my 7.3L? Or worse? and in what ways?

 

Having been raised a chevy guy, I hope I'm impartial on this...

I grew up in Alaska, where it gets pretty cold in the winter. I have always heard that a cummins will start better in the cold. I've also heard they're easier on fuel. However I've heard a powerstroke is generally much quicker on the road, loaded or not. Most of the problems I've heard of has been with the trucks.

My neighbor has a 99 ps 4x4 f 350 with an automatic. It will not go into reverse at 20 degrees below zero. (F)

My father had a 93 cummins dodge 4x4 with a 5 spd. he couldn't leave it idle long in the winter, because the getrag didn't get enough lube on the mainshaft without the vehicle moving.

so... either engine might be just fine for you, I'd just be real careful about what I swap in with it.... Obviously you have the p.s. already, so you know what it's like. I don't know that the cummins would be enough better to warrant the expense...

 

The best ones to look for are the 94 to early 98 12 valve. The power potential is amazing. 350 to 380hp at the wheels for under $1000.

 

from what i understand the 94-98 12valve verisions are better not only because of power you can squeeze out of them but they're not computer controlled like the 24vavle versions are, so you should have less headaches when it comes time to get it running.

One of my buddies has a 96 dodge 2500 4x4 5spd and when his alternators went out on him, the mechanical fuel pump on the engine was all that was needed to keep the engine running (once it was started). the motor didn't care that the batteries were dead and the electric fuel pump wasn't working.

 

Finally did this to mine. It was either rebuild my idi or put a Cummins in. 1994 12 valve with a tuned p-pump and stage 3 cam runs like a raped ape. Zf5 has been holding up fine so far. Much more fun to drive and pulls loads way better, not to mention the Cummins guys' heads all do a double take when you pull into a gas station.

 

I did the Cummins swap as well...

Rebuilding the idi and hoping it up was going to be expensive.

So I thought the Cummins was the way to go... ends up I'm probably going to be about the same cost going with the Cummins then going with rebuilding the idi... and I'll still have an old engine lol

Even having a complete dodge truck as a donor it adds up fast... 1000 to 1500 for a clutch, 1000 for a fuel pump, needed a new rad for 500 and turbo upgrade, head studs, custom driveshafts at probably 1000+, new fuel tank ( cant run two tanks any more) fuel lines, exhaust, intercooler piping and welding ( I went with aluminum, efans because I couldn't move my engine back... it goes on and on lol.

With good planning and good luck it can be done relatively cheaply... just be prepared for the unexpected costs.

 

Here's the site I bought my stuff from:
https://www.dieselconversion.com/

Great guys to deal with and super helpful... some say there motor mounts are not the best but they work. Autoworld mounts are supposed to be better but more money.

 

I have a 96 F350 4x4 with a 92 12v Cummins and the zf5-42 diesel trans they go good together. They will start on the first crank at any temp and like said above need no wires to run once started if you do a mechanical fuel shutoff. The best thing to do is to but a complete Dodge truck so that you can reuse most of the parts.

I used the engine, radiator, intercooler, air box, exhaust and gridheater solenoids from the Dodge.

 

Newer body style but have no regrets swapping in a 97 12v Cummins in place of the original 6.0.
Some of the swap is simple but other parts take some fabbing skills to make it all work properly.
I used Destroked mounts but modified them some to lower the engine for a better fit.
One could fab a set of brackets to work with Ford mounts.
ZF6 handles the increased torque from fueling mods.
Did the original swap in 2013 using a salvage yard engine, replaced it with a engine of my own build in 2016.

 

There is no comparison a 12v Cummins is a much better preformer than a 7.3 IDI.