I have an idea of a future plan. I was wondering if anyone in this area knows how tall of an engine you can put into a 1995 F-250. There is a 351 in it now. I know F-250's can have a 460 in them. What about height of an engine? Does anyone have any idea about this topic? It might seem far fetched but is it possible to put a C7 Cat motor in this pickup. The engine is 38.4 inches tall and 33.4 inches in width. Will this fit under the hood of my truck. I do realize that it would take some serious configurations to do this project but is it possible? Any information would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

why would you want to do this?

what trans. would you use?

 

The question is why not? The engine is the first step that I was looking at. I do realize that the transmission would also be a difficult factor to figure out. The engine has more power than any current powerstrke, cummins, etc. If this is possible why not?

 

that did not answer why you would do this.

good luck anyway.

 

He doesn't have to answer your question if he doesn't want to. It's his truck, his money, and he can do what he wants with both. If you don't have anything positive or constructive to add, then move on to the next thread.

Personally, I think it's a cool idea.

That motor is going to be HEAVY. You're going to have to beef up the front suspension considerably to handle that extra weight - if it fits. 38.4" is awful tall. Is that from the bottom of the oil pan to the top of the motor? If it's proportioned the right way, and you're measuring it from the bottom of the oil sump, then maybe it might fit. I think a stock motor is close to that height - but I'm not sure.

I'd go to the junkyard and find a truck with the motor already yanked and start measuring.

 

andym,

i was interested in why he wanted to do this.

i did not say anything negative.

i even wished him good luck.

if you have a problem with my post, i think you are reading too much into it.

quicklook

 

No, the C7 is about 4-5" too tall to "plug in" to the engine bay, and have the factory hood close.

However, since you'll be fabricating a stronger front suspension anyway, it's a good time to make more room by changing the crossmember, mounting ears, and so forth. Stuff you're going to make anyway.

There's a guy on the net somewhere who shoved a turbo catapillar engine into an 80's Chevy pickup... so I see this is a doable swap.

Just spend the time mocking it it up before you weld anything.

 

All of this information is very helpful. I just would like to do it because I think it would be awesome to say that I have a CAT under my hood rather than a Cummins or a Duramax and still have much more power then them. This project is also down the road. I was asking all of these questions to see if anyone even thought that it would be possible. I have a few friends who just graduated from diesel mechanic school. I know a thing or two and I would see this as being a decent challenge. I love this bodystyle Ford (92-97) and would hate to give up on it and just buy a new Powerstroke. The engine also weighs roughly a ton. Yes a more beefed up front suspension will be needed. Any other information that anyone has will be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

Suspension, frame rails. etc. You might even have to make a engine compartment "cage" that bolts together for enough strength.

 

Frederic, the information that you have provided me with will be very helpful. I was wondering, do you think I should examine how the 4.9 I6 is set up? The C7 is also a I6 but with obviously much more displacement. I also will be increasing the rolling mass by about 1000 lbs. I will also probably need a brake upgrade or do you disagree. I figure that I will need a custom transmission. The red line area of this truck is 2500 RPMs. Do you think about a 7 or 8 speed sounds right?

 

I think its a great idea. If the C7 is too tall, you could toss a bodylift under it. thats a easy way to gain 3" of hood clearence. If it still doesnt fit just get a cowl hood...if they make them for fords. I've only seen cowl hoods on newer super dutys, but they probobly make them for older fords. They probobly make them up to 4" i'd say.

Also, I was thinking about the weight. The front half of the truck is going to weigh so much more than the back, It would handle pretty differently.

 

Does anyone think that sounds about right with the transmission? Roughly 7 or eight gears. The engine redlines at 2500 RPMs. I also was wondering, does anyone have any ideas on how I should beef my front end up?

 

I see a couple problems with this...

One...weight. That diesel is going to be wicked heavy in the front of that truck. Everything is going to have to need strengthening...including the frame and other crossmembers.

Not only reinforcement, but with such a weight bias I think it's going to handle like poo and not have very good traction.

You're going to loose weight capacity, and probably need to beef up the brakes and running gear.

IMO, this swap is probably not worth the headaches and monumental effort to be able to say you've got a Cat engine in it. Theres a reason Ford has the type of diesel it has in there. It's light enough and more pickup truck friendly. That Cat isn't going to be blowing away other diesel rigs. The mods available for a powerstroke can put a woopin' on it. The Cat wasn't designed to be in a pickup and probably won't be very satisfying...But...hey if it's what you want to do then go for it!

 

This is a cool idea, but it will add serious weight to your truck. All of which will be sitting on top of your front axle. You will need to upgrade the front axle. I would look towards a 2.5 ton millitary axle. The dana 50 twin I beam will not hold up for very long with the extra weight. Comparable to driving around every day with a 9' plow on the front of your truck - it can do it, but it won't like it. Think about what all that torque will do to a driveline that wasn't meant to handle it. Even relatively stock powerstroke motors will snap Dana 60 axles (under heavy load, with bigger tires and good traction).

As far as transmition goes, I don't think it makes a difference how many speeds you have. With that motor you could pretty much start off in any gear.

By the time you're done with the build, you are going to have 3/4 ton /2.5 ton hybrid. Maybe consider shopping for a truck with the cat motor already in it and mount your truck body on it. The chassis would already be prepped for the weight, and your truck has the cat motor under the hood, AND... you can pull a house down the street .

 

I say lets stick behind this guy wantin to experiment with this swap. Anythings possible with a welder and duct tape. But I like 93F250's idea, if you can find a chassis with that cat engine and 8 speed tranny, and somehow put your trucks body onto it, I would pay to see that setup because that would be kick @$$.

It would kind of be like the 98 International 4700 series truck i saw that actually had an f-350 bed on the back of it. I think that DT466 would have pulled just about anything, but that cat would definately outdo it.