Powerstroke?!?!
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Powerstroke?!?!
What do you guys think about the idea? My dad mentioned it to me the other day, why not stick a 7.3 or 6.0 turbo diesel in my 55, and prolly add propane and one of those Banks 6 Gunners. Ive never seen one with one, jus thought it might be somethin totally differnet than every other fat fender you see out there.
weezie
weezie
Roast em' if you got 'em
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
It would definately be different and not one of the dime a dozen belly button trucks. I imagine that you will have to do quite a bit of engineering to get all the engine controls working correctly. My suggestion would be to have a complete donor vehicle.
Might have to beef up the front suspension to deal with the weight of the diesel.
Bobby
Might have to beef up the front suspension to deal with the weight of the diesel.
Bobby
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
weezie,
I am doing a 6.9 conversion on my 55 F-350, "Joey". I'm glad I got the 350 as its suspension is pretty beefy to begin with, so a 1200 lb engine won't break it. I, like you, think this is a very unique set-up and am looking forward to getting it on the road. It is going to be a daily driver and a tow vehicle for our team's dragster when I get it roadworthy. The 6.0 or 7.3 would also be good engines, but I'm on a budget and could build a 6.9 pretty cheap, besides the whole thing is mechanical which kinda fits with the nature of the '55 truck. At some point I think I will add a turbo to the diesel, and I've got a propane tank off an RV that I thought about using, but I'm not sure I really will. Anyway, I say if you've got the $$ and motivation to do it, go for it!
I am doing a 6.9 conversion on my 55 F-350, "Joey". I'm glad I got the 350 as its suspension is pretty beefy to begin with, so a 1200 lb engine won't break it. I, like you, think this is a very unique set-up and am looking forward to getting it on the road. It is going to be a daily driver and a tow vehicle for our team's dragster when I get it roadworthy. The 6.0 or 7.3 would also be good engines, but I'm on a budget and could build a 6.9 pretty cheap, besides the whole thing is mechanical which kinda fits with the nature of the '55 truck. At some point I think I will add a turbo to the diesel, and I've got a propane tank off an RV that I thought about using, but I'm not sure I really will. Anyway, I say if you've got the $$ and motivation to do it, go for it!
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
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From: Connecticut
If you go this way, use the 7.3, not the 6.0 . It still has some growing pains to go thru yet. We have at least 6 major recalls on the engine alone right now. Stupid crap like the inlet and outlet tubes for the turbo, the rubber connectors for these tubes, heat shielding for the wiring, and a few more I can't think of right now. 7.3 is a good engine, no matter which of the versions you use.
Barry
50 F-1
Barry
50 F-1
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thanks for all the imput guys. i didnt think about all the wieght of the engine, that would be a big deal and im glad yall brought that to my attention. I planned on a Mustang II IFS, so i wonder if that would hold the weight. If not I always have the 429 SCJ behind the barn. 
weezie
weezie
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Cargo Master
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From: Oregon
Won't hold the weight with a MII suspension. Diesels are very heavy, and would flatten the suspension under a half ton or mustang. bobbytnm's suggestion for a donor rig is the best idea. Use the chassis from a newer truck with that has already had a diesel in it. You won't have any suspension problems that way.
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Roast em' if you got 'em
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
weezie,
Look for a guy called oldjeep around here. I think he swapped in a front independant suspension from a 1 ton79 GM on his truck and is stuffing a 455 Olds in it. He's making a tow rig and doing some nice work. He might have some helpful tips on the swap.
Sorta on the same subject.....I'm contemplating the cummins swap into my 59 Dodge D100....doubt I ever get it done, but it would be cool.
Bobby
Look for a guy called oldjeep around here. I think he swapped in a front independant suspension from a 1 ton79 GM on his truck and is stuffing a 455 Olds in it. He's making a tow rig and doing some nice work. He might have some helpful tips on the swap.
Sorta on the same subject.....I'm contemplating the cummins swap into my 59 Dodge D100....doubt I ever get it done, but it would be cool.
Bobby
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From: Upper Left Coast
Howdy,
Is it an F-250/350?
If not the front suspension will not be heavy enough for an engine of that weight.
I have considered that option for my 55 F-600 but ALL the powerstrokes use electronic injection. a real nightmare to get right. Not impossible but a lot of work. Also they are very expen$ive.
I am leaning towards the 1997 and earlier Cummins 6BT since they use mechanical injection, make good torque and power and are cheaper by comparison. (I'd still be FORD since they put the 6BT in newer F-600's!)
I have considered the 6.9/7.3L engines but that left manifold might interfere with the steering box. does anyone see this as a problem?
My neighbor has an E4OD trans on his 7.3L Superduty and has offered it to me (he wants to put a 5 speed in it). I think an E4OD rebuilt right with a 7.3l IDI or 7.3 IDI/turbo might be just fine.
Regards,
Rick
Is it an F-250/350?
If not the front suspension will not be heavy enough for an engine of that weight.
I have considered that option for my 55 F-600 but ALL the powerstrokes use electronic injection. a real nightmare to get right. Not impossible but a lot of work. Also they are very expen$ive.
I am leaning towards the 1997 and earlier Cummins 6BT since they use mechanical injection, make good torque and power and are cheaper by comparison. (I'd still be FORD since they put the 6BT in newer F-600's!)
I have considered the 6.9/7.3L engines but that left manifold might interfere with the steering box. does anyone see this as a problem?
My neighbor has an E4OD trans on his 7.3L Superduty and has offered it to me (he wants to put a 5 speed in it). I think an E4OD rebuilt right with a 7.3l IDI or 7.3 IDI/turbo might be just fine.
Regards,
Rick
Originally Posted by weezie23mv
What do you guys think about the idea? My dad mentioned it to me the other day, why not stick a 7.3 or 6.0 turbo diesel in my 55, and prolly add propane and one of those Banks 6 Gunners. Ive never seen one with one, jus thought it might be somethin totally differnet than every other fat fender you see out there.
weezie
weezie
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From: Upper Left Coast
If I'm not mistaken, The 6.9 and 7.3 will interchange. What are you doing about the left manifold/steering box interference? Do you think it'll be a problem?
Originally Posted by concretegarage
weezie,
I am doing a 6.9 conversion on my 55 F-350, "Joey". I'm glad I got the 350 as its suspension is pretty beefy to begin with, so a 1200 lb engine won't break it. I, like you, think this is a very unique set-up and am looking forward to getting it on the road. It is going to be a daily driver and a tow vehicle for our team's dragster when I get it roadworthy. The 6.0 or 7.3 would also be good engines, but I'm on a budget and could build a 6.9 pretty cheap, besides the whole thing is mechanical which kinda fits with the nature of the '55 truck. At some point I think I will add a turbo to the diesel, and I've got a propane tank off an RV that I thought about using, but I'm not sure I really will. Anyway, I say if you've got the $$ and motivation to do it, go for it!
I am doing a 6.9 conversion on my 55 F-350, "Joey". I'm glad I got the 350 as its suspension is pretty beefy to begin with, so a 1200 lb engine won't break it. I, like you, think this is a very unique set-up and am looking forward to getting it on the road. It is going to be a daily driver and a tow vehicle for our team's dragster when I get it roadworthy. The 6.0 or 7.3 would also be good engines, but I'm on a budget and could build a 6.9 pretty cheap, besides the whole thing is mechanical which kinda fits with the nature of the '55 truck. At some point I think I will add a turbo to the diesel, and I've got a propane tank off an RV that I thought about using, but I'm not sure I really will. Anyway, I say if you've got the $$ and motivation to do it, go for it!
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more great ideas fellas, but unfortunantly mine is F100. Im in the process of a 4 1/2 in. chop right now. I was thinking more in line of a motor for a hot rodder and not a hauler. haha. sorry for the confussion, i should have stated that in the first post.
i would still love to see of the ideas you guys have actually get done tho. that would be awesome
thanks a bunch
weezie
i would still love to see of the ideas you guys have actually get done tho. that would be awesome
thanks a bunch
weezie
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
HT32BSX115,
Yes, I think it might be a problem. I don't have my engine together yet, and I've been doing body work on my truck right now. I figrue I'll cross that road when I come to it. At the worst it will require me fabbing my own manifold on that side, which shouldn't be too bad. So I guess I'm not real worried about it right now. I've still got to put the power steering box in too, which will change that area a little. I'll just have to wait and see how things turn out.
Yes, I think it might be a problem. I don't have my engine together yet, and I've been doing body work on my truck right now. I figrue I'll cross that road when I come to it. At the worst it will require me fabbing my own manifold on that side, which shouldn't be too bad. So I guess I'm not real worried about it right now. I've still got to put the power steering box in too, which will change that area a little. I'll just have to wait and see how things turn out.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Upper Left Coast
I haven't spoken to others on putting various V-8's in these old trucks but I know that most have installed power steering and headers which might mitigate the problem entirely. I don't know which power steering system might be appropriate for my F-600 so I'm considering the Cummins to eliminate the problem altogether. The cummins is a pretty long engine but it goes in just about every truck out there so I don't think it'll be a problem. I think I measured about 37 inches the last time I measured one. I don't have the engine yet but a local pickup/truck wrecking yard always has 2 or so of them on hand for about $1900.
Keep us posted on your installation!
Rick
Keep us posted on your installation!
Rick
Originally Posted by concretegarage
HT32BSX115,
Yes, I think it might be a problem. I don't have my engine together yet, and I've been doing body work on my truck right now. I figrue I'll cross that road when I come to it. At the worst it will require me fabbing my own manifold on that side, which shouldn't be too bad. So I guess I'm not real worried about it right now. I've still got to put the power steering box in too, which will change that area a little. I'll just have to wait and see how things turn out.
Yes, I think it might be a problem. I don't have my engine together yet, and I've been doing body work on my truck right now. I figrue I'll cross that road when I come to it. At the worst it will require me fabbing my own manifold on that side, which shouldn't be too bad. So I guess I'm not real worried about it right now. I've still got to put the power steering box in too, which will change that area a little. I'll just have to wait and see how things turn out.