I'll see about getting one snapped off.
frame differences?
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34
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From: Fort St. James
frame differences?
I tried to search for this but no posts would come up. Are there any frame differences in a diesel and non diesel truck? I have an 86 F-250 4x4 with a 460 and am looking at getting 84 F-250 3/4 6.9 with rusted out body. Is the swap of the diesel a straight swap or is there a difference between the frames? I have been told there is and there isnt depends on who i ask :-s any help is appreciated.
Thx
Ryan
Thx
Ryan
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: Alvin, Texas.
The frames are the same for a given cab/bed configuration, no matter the engine.
Maybe (maybe not) you might need the engine crossmember, since the diesel is bound to be taller than the 460, but either way, length, width, whatever, the frame is the same.
Actually, with trucks almost all being body on frame, it makes no sense for the factory to make differences in the frame for just one engine.
Just like if I wanted to swap a 4.0L into my 2.3L Ranger. Other than the engine and tranny and some other small pieces, the suspension, brakes, sheetmetal, and frame rails are all the same as the donor truck.
Maybe (maybe not) you might need the engine crossmember, since the diesel is bound to be taller than the 460, but either way, length, width, whatever, the frame is the same.
Actually, with trucks almost all being body on frame, it makes no sense for the factory to make differences in the frame for just one engine.
Just like if I wanted to swap a 4.0L into my 2.3L Ranger. Other than the engine and tranny and some other small pieces, the suspension, brakes, sheetmetal, and frame rails are all the same as the donor truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I'm in the midst of a diesel conversion, and the only difference as far as fitting a motor is the motor perches. The bolt holes are there for the perches on the diesel frames, and to put a diesl into a 460 frame, the perches come off, and the diesel motor plates bolt onto the cross with the already punched holes. To go the other way, you will have to unbolt the right perch and unbolt and grind some rivets to get the left perch off to put on the other frame. If you were dealing with a 302 or 351W frame, there is a difference in the cross, there is a big hole to clear the oil filter. If anyone should want to argue, I can take pics of an 85 that has just that... I wasn't aware of the different mountings until I got into this project.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
OK, I see, I'll try to get the other style frame pic for you as well. So far, I have noticed only differences between smaller engines and the biggere engines to stay away from big block/small block comparisons. I haven't seen a 400 in one of the 80 and up trucks, just 351W, 460, and 6.9/7.3.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2005
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hey fellro could you get me some pictures, somehow. i am new to this place. i just ran across this site, when i was searching info for diesels and 460. is there a way you could get me the pics? there is so much rumors of where they share the same bellhousing or not. heard they do from several people and heard they are slightly different by a couple. btw i have a 80 bronco with a 400 and had an 82 3/4t 2wd with a 400.
Last edited by jerclark; Nov 6, 2005 at 10:17 PM. Reason: type errors
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I have the pics, just gotta get them downloaded, and then I can email them to you. From what I understand, the gas and diesel bells are close, but the lineup pins are located different. I can't validate or deny absolute, as I have not had opportunity to actually try such. I do know that the motor mounts are completely different. On the 92 frame and the 85 frame I have here, there are differences just between the 351W and the 460. The 85 has a big pass through hole for the filter, and the towers are behind the crossmember. On the 460, (92) the towers for the 460 are behind the cross as well, but after I removed them, I was able to bolt the diesel motor plates right on the cross with no mods, the holes were there. Once I can get the pics up, the differences are obvious. The diesel plates bolt over where the 351 would have had the filter, and the bolt holes ar4e not there for the plates to mount to.
New User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9
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That is how i am. i work with any gas motor imaginable but never had the opportunity to work with diesels. a few cummins but not really any powerstrokes. put a clutch in one for someone but never thought to get a 460 bell and coompare it to the tranny while out. im not sur where you will send them, like i said im new. just let me know, thanx
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I can post them in my gallery, or if you want them emailed, I can do that too. I imagine you have a few more posts to go until you can use the system to email me. If you were to post it, don't post it connected, simply put a space in it somewhere, and the system won't hide it. That is all about spyware, keeping emails out of posts, but if you disjoint it, then the spybots can't find it.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I FINALLY got around to putting the pics in my gallery... https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=19538
