diesel conversion
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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diesel conversion
just a quick question? would it be reasonable to swap a diesel into a 77 250 hiboy? is it possible, hard, bad idea, good idea, expensive(yes), complicated? i am just wondering about that possibility.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
many people do it. Is it reasonable - I guess that depends on who you ask. Some purists may cringe, but a lot of people love the idea. I am going to put a Cummins in my 74 crew soon, but people have done all sorts of diesel swaps for the 6.9 and 7.3 IDI's to Cummins and even Cat motors.
Degree of difficutly depends greatly on the motor and your skill level...
Degree of difficutly depends greatly on the motor and your skill level...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
I keep eyeballing a ford breadvan with a cummins 4bt. Uses a stock small block bellhousing, which I already have. On 4btswaps.com, some guys are claiming as good as mid 20s for mpg.
Right now, I don't have the time or money for it, but maybe someday...
Right now, I don't have the time or money for it, but maybe someday...
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
yeah the 4bt is just like the 6bt offered in the dodge trucks (and breadvans, and bluebird busses, etc.) but with the front 2 cylinders lopped off. The 6bt puts out more power and seems like a pretty straight forward swap. Plus the 6bt still gets about 20 mpg - some people even report that mileage while towing! Can't get that out of a 460 thats for sure
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,203
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From: where the deer and antelo
Originally Posted by ChaseTruck754
Degree of difficutly depends greatly on the motor and your skill level...
Having done it, here is a few things you will run into.
Motor mounts
transmission support and cross member
front cross member
fuel line/return line
drive lines
springs
clutch
If you do it, buy a complete donor truck. It will save you a small fortune on the small stuff you will need. I sold a lot of parts from my donor truck that made my cost about $700 for my engine and transmission. I sold the 460 gasser engine I had for another $500
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,105
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From: Anchorage Alaska
Originally Posted by Scolesy
just a quick question? would it be reasonable to swap a diesel into a 77 250 hiboy? is it possible, hard, bad idea, good idea, expensive(yes), complicated? i am just wondering about that possibility.
Ray
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,068
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From: western montana
greythorn...how does the 6.9 treat you mpg wise? are there kits to turbo the old 6.9 and did you have to beef up the front suspension at all?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 3
From: Anchorage Alaska
60 % city 41% highway driving yeilded me 16 mpg last tank. with 4:10 gearing and 4 speed stick, 35" tires too. best i ever got was when this engine was in the stock truck 84 f240 with 31" tires and 3:55 gearing and 4 speed.. over fairly flat ground 21 mpg
Ray
Ray
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