Between the 7.3 idi for the E series vans and the F series trucks?

Reason I'm asking is I found a E350 van with a 7.3 in it that runs and drives, body is shot all to heck. Rather than try and make that old 300 six work in my F-250 I was considering getting the van and swapping it over.

for what its worth I can ge the van for $500, I can't buy a 5.8 for my truck around here for less than $600

Since its an early 7.3 is it pretty much all mechanical control like the 6.9 or is computerized?

 

What year is the van?

The fuel filter location and the the oil cooler are the biggest differences.

 

I'll know more tomorrow Dave, Fuel filter shouldn't be a big deal to move, oil cooler on the other hand could be a real pain maybe, Possible to get an oil cooler for a truck and change it out?

I can't imagine they cast two different blocks, one for the trucks and one for the vans. But I've been wrong before

 

The oil cooler rear end cap points the oil filter in a different direction on the E series. I would say it has to do with the axle location.
On the F series the bottom leans toward the front of the truck.
My diesel engine book shows the bottom leaning toward the rear on an E series engine.
Wondering if the oil pan is different, but I have no pictures of an E series side view.
I also can not remember why it could not lean the other way on my truck.

The fuel filter is located on the passenger side behind the alternator on an F series, that would be almost impossible to service on an E series. My book shows it on the front of the drivers side head where the AC compressor is on my truck.
Also my power steering pump is located down low on the drivers side close to the bottom of the radiator. I don't think you could reach it there in a van.

I am sure the block and basic engine is the same. They have just moved the external accessories around to make them more accessible.

You are also going to need the fuel system, diesels have a return line throught the tank selector to the tanks.

The mechanical engines were built from 83 to the first half of 94. The last half of 94 was the Power Stroke electronic engine.

 

Dave, it turns out its a 1988, Guy didn't know I was coming. It fired up as good as my cousins does and it sounded all right. Drove it around the lot tranny seems ok, it's supposed to only have 1200 miles on rebuild. It looked pretty clean.

I don't think theres anything I can't overcome, bought the whole thing for $500. Picking it up Saturday then the fun begins.

Looking at it I'm thinking worst case scenario is I need a differant oil cooler and maybe a pan. I can live with that.

 

Got it home Sat. got it tore out today. I'm going to have to go hunt up towers for the motor mounts tomorrow.

Oil cooler is differant. On the van the bottom leans towards the rear slightly, on the cousins pickup it leans the other way. I'll know for sure if it will work soon as I get the new pipes and test fit them on the engine with it out of the truck.

And tomake it look "right" I need to find everthing off os the front to change it over from v belts to a serpintine belt. But I can do that later on down the road.

 

Quartlow,i have a 92 e-series engine in a 92 f-350,you will need to change the oil cooler and the manifold on that side.The fuel filter is in a different location however i didnt move it and it worked out ok.The plug on the gp harness wouldnt reach so i used the harness off the f-engine.The exhaust bolted up and i never had to do any changes to the motor mounts.Oil pan should be good to go as well,i never had to change it.Are you doing a gas to diesel conversion or just a diesel to diesel swap.

 

Doing gas to diesel Pnose. I'll be on the hunt tomorrow for the needed parts.

Fuel filter is getting reloacted since I'm going to put on a fuel preporator. Buddy runs them on his class 8 trucks and ha owes me so he is sending me an extra one he has.

 

You will also need a set of diesel rated springs,that 7.3 is over twice the weight of a gasser V8.At least you have the diesel tranny already.If its an E4OD dont forget to pull the computer for it.The engine is all mechanical so no comp.Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Quartlow, pay close attention to the wire colors that are on the gas motor coil, temp and oil pressure senders. I can help with the diesel colors and wiring when you get ready.

 

yeah tats always an adventure. I figured on using the sensors for oil pressure and water temp from the gas motor since they match the gauges. Good Idea?

Motor mounts. Ordered the new ones today and they should be here tomorrow. I noticed that there are 3 parts to it. The mount itself, which I have ordered new. The plates that bolt to the frame, got a set of those. And I noticed there is a pieces bolted between the mount and the engine itself on diesel. Knowing my luck this piece is going to be differnat between the E series and the F series. Yes no, Maybe?

Another thing is on the C6 there is a switch with 3 or 4 wires on it mounted on the shift selector on the tranny. What the heck are those for?

 

No automatic experience at all, but my guess is neutral safety switch and backup lights.

 

Well that makes sense,

I would also like to thank all you of you guys for your input on the project so far.
Trust me I'm by no means done picking your brains