79 Diesel Conversion Questions.
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79 Diesel Conversion Questions.
I have a 1979 F-350 4X4 with a 460 that I put in and the 4 speed transmission. It is a great pickup, but I am considering taking it a step further and putting in a diesel engine for economy and reliability. A friend of mine put a 6.9 into a '76 F-250 with an automatic, and it worked out very well. I am thinking of getting a 7.3 for mine. I would like to know if anyone has done this and what issues you had. Will a turbo fit, or should I stick with a non-turbo model? What problems are there with the bell housing, clutch, etc... I know that I will have to fabricate the motor mounts.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Forest Grove, OR
You may be suprized how little the motor mounts are going to need. You will need to notch the front X-member a little bit. A turbo will not fit so well it seems unless you move the engine forward a couple inches and a couple inches of body lift. You might find a 7.3 NA a little tame after driving that 460. A turbo is another animal. x2 on the mileage can make up for a lot though. Read about cavitation on the 7.3, it is important. The trans you have on that 460 will not work. The IDI has it's own pattern. go have a look at oilburners.net there is a guy that did it on a 78 with a 400. I am working mine right now into a 76 with a 460. It is the 460 mounts that are so close to the IDI engines.
Calvin
Calvin
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Bison SD
the bell housing bolt pattern should be the same I believe the diesel ZF has a larger input shaft so you will have to get a pilot bearing for the smaller input shaft to go into flywheel on the diesel. I checked into going the other way on my 88 f250 when the 7.3 L finally died after 327,000 plus miles. if you could find a ZF to go with it even better 5 speed in a 79. Good Luck and keep us posted.
Luke
Luke
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Forest Grove, OR
The bolt pattern of the diesel and 460 are not the same. The gas trans will not bolt to the IDI. Now maybe the trans from the gas engine will bolt to the bellhousing of the IDI. The the bellhousing to engine mounting points are not the same. I have seen someone modify the pattern as they are close just no cigar.
Calvin
Calvin
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From: Forest Grove, OR
The bellhousing to engine on the 460 and the IDI are not the same. They are close and one can be made to work on the other but it is not a bolt on. Now maybe the bellhousings can be swapped on the transmission itself. I think the trans end is the same. But not the engine end.
Calvin
Calvin
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Joined: Dec 2005
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only one word CUMMINS. easy power sounds like a semi.
6.9 and 7.3 are really nice but your limited on what you can do with them cummins engines are very forgiving and you can get some insane power out of these things.
not to mention the swap is alot easier.
any questions just pm me.
6.9 and 7.3 are really nice but your limited on what you can do with them cummins engines are very forgiving and you can get some insane power out of these things.
not to mention the swap is alot easier.
any questions just pm me.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Originally Posted by Calvin349
It is the 460 mounts that are so close to the IDI engines.
Calvin
Calvin
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From: Forest Grove, OR
Originally Posted by Paul K
I dunno, I have been wondering about converting my 1976 highboy to a diesel also, but by the time I add up what it will cost me....Geez! I could buy a used diesel pickup!
As for cost it all depends on how far you take it. If I had only wanted to swap the engines then I am 500 into my 76 CC and 750 into the 86 diesel. Thats not so bad for parts. There is some time into it but my biggest single expence was the D60 front end for the 4wd upgrade. Honestly that is where most of the time is going too.
Shop the sales and you can do it for not too bad and have something that few others do when your done.
Calvin
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Hummin Cummins for the win lol.
Loaded i average 16mpg and empty with a light foot it will see 20mpg.It will run 110mph with utmost ease.And over a hill nothing beats 1000nm torque.
Ive had lots of gearbox trouble,and clutch failures.In the end i stuck a Jap 6 speed box in there with a dual clutch and its fine at 270hp or so.
But i want to turbo compound the thing..........thats 400hp and 1400nm.It breaks everything in its path.Watch this space lol.
Loaded i average 16mpg and empty with a light foot it will see 20mpg.It will run 110mph with utmost ease.And over a hill nothing beats 1000nm torque.
Ive had lots of gearbox trouble,and clutch failures.In the end i stuck a Jap 6 speed box in there with a dual clutch and its fine at 270hp or so.
But i want to turbo compound the thing..........thats 400hp and 1400nm.It breaks everything in its path.Watch this space lol.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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One way to cover the cost of your conversion is to buy the entire donor truck, take what you need, and spend some time parting it out. I bought a rolled 1997 Dodge 2500 4wd with 183K miles on it for $4K. I sold the axles and rebuilt auto tranny for $1500. I sold the NP241DLD xfer case for $450. The seats, airbags, wheels/tires, hitches, bumper, hood, grill, passenger door/body, steel scrap, etc. netted another $1400.
So, for my cummins, intercooler, wiring, etc. I was < $1K into it, but it sure cost some time.
Just find the right donor truck and spend some time on ebay and craigslist,
jon.
So, for my cummins, intercooler, wiring, etc. I was < $1K into it, but it sure cost some time.
Just find the right donor truck and spend some time on ebay and craigslist,
jon.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
I just got my running but UUUGLY 91 Dodge for $1,800.
It may be ugly and have a salvage title (whole passanger side is wasted), but it still runs great. I don't care about the body or resale value as I just wanted the motor etc., so salvage title just ended up saving me a ton. The best part is I can use it as a shop truck and drive it around until I get ready for the swap!
Buying a complete truck is totally the way to go if you have the room for it. Parting them out will often get back most of what you got them for netting cheap or sometimes free motors!
It may be ugly and have a salvage title (whole passanger side is wasted), but it still runs great. I don't care about the body or resale value as I just wanted the motor etc., so salvage title just ended up saving me a ton. The best part is I can use it as a shop truck and drive it around until I get ready for the swap!
Buying a complete truck is totally the way to go if you have the room for it. Parting them out will often get back most of what you got them for netting cheap or sometimes free motors!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,203
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From: where the deer and antelo
I vote for buying a complete truck also. I paid $1200 for my donor. It was ugly and rusty, and came complete with a bed full of trash, mouse nests and cow poop. I sold the axels for $400 (I guess I gave them away), but I got a nearly new NV4500 transmission and clutch out of the deal, and there were sooooo many parts that you need I don't see how any one can do it without spending a fortune on the little stuff you would have to buy.
