Powerstroke 7.3 Swap
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 59
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Powerstroke 7.3 Swap
I got a 78 f250 4x4, dana 44 and dana 60 rear with a 400 manual and 4 inch lift, and want to put in a 7.3 powerstroke five speed, probably from a 97. My question is will the 78 steering system work with the 7.3 powersteering? Will the axles and brake system be enough for the 7.3. And will a two inch add a leafs in the front, work to beef up the suspension enought for the new heavy engine?
Thanks
Alex Hunt
Thanks
Alex Hunt
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
unless you plan on gettin crazy with stroke, the drivetrain should be up to the task. im not sure about the compatibility of the powersteerin, and your front springs are probably already up to the task of holdin the big beast. put this way: not too much difference in the weight of a 460 and a stroke.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
i dont know. they are big, but i really dont know if they can keep up with the coolin demands of a diesel. but then again, it may work just like it was made for it. id say if youre gonna use the stock rad, use a fairly decent sized oil cooler with it.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 172
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From: Mile high +
Do you have the 3 row or 4 row radiator? I used the 3 row from the 400 on my 460 swap and it worked as long as I didnt get stuck in stop and go traffic. Now after 17 years it doesnt work very well, except to the grocery store. Time to replace it...........Heat kills powerstroke turbos. They make some nice aftermarket aluminum 4 row radiators that will bolt in your 78.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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would a aftermarket innercooler make a big difference, worth doing? Im not sure what my radiator is right now.
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
Go for it. I put a 6.9 in mine and going to rig up a turbo somehow on it this summer. I would be worried about the turbo fitting due to the design of the firewall. I am looking to put my turbo setup up front because I know I cannot clear the firewall and it is a turbo from a 2000 Powerstroke. It does take a lot of work!
You plan on going ***** to the wall power wise? They say the old 6.9 or 7.3 with a turbo is pretty darn good compared to a stock early powerstroke. Thing I love about the IDI is that they are just so simple and spare parts are so cheap and everywhere to be had. I paid $500 for my engine int eh truck and then got a killer deal for $250 for one with all accessories and tranny still bolted on. I've been running old fryer oil and biodiesel in it. When they are that cheap I could care less if I ruin an engine from fryer oil.
Not trying to sway you here. If you got cheap engine go for it. I wanted a cummins but didnt want to pay the money.
The front springs on my 79 F250 held up well. They are pretty stiff. And the Dana 44 is just fine. It can support all the weight you want. It is just the small ujoints in the D44 that are a weak link.
You plan on going ***** to the wall power wise? They say the old 6.9 or 7.3 with a turbo is pretty darn good compared to a stock early powerstroke. Thing I love about the IDI is that they are just so simple and spare parts are so cheap and everywhere to be had. I paid $500 for my engine int eh truck and then got a killer deal for $250 for one with all accessories and tranny still bolted on. I've been running old fryer oil and biodiesel in it. When they are that cheap I could care less if I ruin an engine from fryer oil.
Not trying to sway you here. If you got cheap engine go for it. I wanted a cummins but didnt want to pay the money.
The front springs on my 79 F250 held up well. They are pretty stiff. And the Dana 44 is just fine. It can support all the weight you want. It is just the small ujoints in the D44 that are a weak link.
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 3
I would go with a uhniversal rad from jegs or summit, they are under $200 and they cool amazingly, I put one in my 65 and it has a 180 thermostat, and the top hose would obiously be too hot to touch, but the bottom hose you would be able to grab on to it for a while!
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 38
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A intercooler will do you wonders on that engine. My buddy has a 96 stroker and he is just waiting to get the money, then he is putting a intercooler in, as well as injectors, not huge injectors but a bump up from sucky stock injectors. Right now he has intake, exhaust, bigger turbo housing, and a edge programer.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
Go for it. I put a 6.9 in mine and going to rig up a turbo somehow on it this summer. I would be worried about the turbo fitting due to the design of the firewall. I am looking to put my turbo setup up front because I know I cannot clear the firewall and it is a turbo from a 2000 Powerstroke. It does take a lot of work!
You plan on going ***** to the wall power wise? They say the old 6.9 or 7.3 with a turbo is pretty darn good compared to a stock early powerstroke. Thing I love about the IDI is that they are just so simple and spare parts are so cheap and everywhere to be had. I paid $500 for my engine int eh truck and then got a killer deal for $250 for one with all accessories and tranny still bolted on. I've been running old fryer oil and biodiesel in it. When they are that cheap I could care less if I ruin an engine from fryer oil.
Not trying to sway you here. If you got cheap engine go for it. I wanted a cummins but didnt want to pay the money.
The front springs on my 79 F250 held up well. They are pretty stiff. And the Dana 44 is just fine. It can support all the weight you want. It is just the small ujoints in the D44 that are a weak link.
You plan on going ***** to the wall power wise? They say the old 6.9 or 7.3 with a turbo is pretty darn good compared to a stock early powerstroke. Thing I love about the IDI is that they are just so simple and spare parts are so cheap and everywhere to be had. I paid $500 for my engine int eh truck and then got a killer deal for $250 for one with all accessories and tranny still bolted on. I've been running old fryer oil and biodiesel in it. When they are that cheap I could care less if I ruin an engine from fryer oil.
Not trying to sway you here. If you got cheap engine go for it. I wanted a cummins but didnt want to pay the money.
The front springs on my 79 F250 held up well. They are pretty stiff. And the Dana 44 is just fine. It can support all the weight you want. It is just the small ujoints in the D44 that are a weak link.
and fryer oil shouldnt damage your diesel, unless youre not filterin it. actually, when Whats-his-bucket Diesel (hence the name) invented the diesel engine, it was intended to run on peanut oil.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury, PA
look to ATS for a turbo kit. you can even get a kit that just does the exhaust, without havin to buy the turbo.
and fryer oil shouldnt damage your diesel, unless youre not filterin it. actually, when Whats-his-bucket Diesel (hence the name) invented the diesel engine, it was intended to run on peanut oil.
and fryer oil shouldnt damage your diesel, unless youre not filterin it. actually, when Whats-his-bucket Diesel (hence the name) invented the diesel engine, it was intended to run on peanut oil.
Seen a good bit of photos online of various diesel engines ruined from running WVO from unburnt polymers getting into the oil and turning it into a glop. I do heat my oil once it gets warm but I also do mix some in my diesel tank as well. I dont drive the truck much so I can't say for sure if it might gum the oil up at some point. Other than that I don't think you should see any adverse effects from filtered oil. I do mine down to 5 micron.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 249
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Seen a good bit of photos online of various diesel engines ruined from running WVO from unburnt polymers getting into the oil and turning it into a glop. I do heat my oil once it gets warm but I also do mix some in my diesel tank as well. I dont drive the truck much so I can't say for sure if it might gum the oil up at some point. Other than that I don't think you should see any adverse effects from filtered oil. I do mine down to 5 micron.
yes I know that isn't how it works, but still, it'd funny to think about.