Ford 7.3 Diesel Conversion

[highspdlife0224]

Oh so many choices. I've got a 1979 j10 with the 360/th400 in it right now and I've been rebuilding a second 360 and th400 to replace these with, not that anythings wrong with the current ones, just would feel better about them being fresh. However, a boss of mine from work has an 88 4x4 f250 with a 7.3 diesel and an auto trans behind it he's trying to get rid of. Beyond that, I have no idea what the truck has under it for axles or which t-case she's sportin. I was just wondering if anyone has ever attempted to swap in a ford 7.3? I'd imagine there would be clearance issues a plenty, but I'd really much like to have a diesel under the hood and the price is certainly right at only a few hundred bucks for the entire truck. But I'm not sure it would be worth the effort to perform the swap. So I humbly turn to you gents in the hopes that maybe some of you have some experience with the 7.3 and can maybe give some advice? Or maybe even just an opinion. Any help is appreciated.

[jMedia]

I brought this up a bit ago and some people touched on it. Many questions answered in the diesel swap sticky

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=113795

[gotmike]

in 88 the engine is not a powerstroke.. it's an IDI motor... meaning it's indirectly injected... some aren't even turbo'd... let alone intercooled... they aren't well known for high power output... but get pretty good fuel mileage...

[highspdlife0224]

Hm... well I'd much prefer a diesel to the 360 anyways and for so cheap... I guess I just figure I had might as well give it a shot. But lookin at the weight of the beast I'll probably have to beef up the front end a bit... probably the whole truck. I know I'll probably get some flack for saying this.... but word is that the 7.3s tend to be a lot more reliable than the gm 6.2 or 6.5, and thats more of what I need. So I guess my real question is has anyone done a 7.3 swap? If so, how did you go about it? :confused:

[jMedia]

HERESY!!
:eek:

haha well I can't speak from experience but I have heard good things about the 6.5s and 6.2s. When it comes down to it with a lot of engines, its just about how you treat them.

[pineymike]

Swap the J truck body on to the ford chassi,That way you'll get all the HD components.Wile you have the body off the chassi go over the drive train clean & inspect everything.Good luck have fun!

[highspdlife0224]

Swap the J truck body on to the ford chassi,That way you'll get all the HD components.Wile you have the body off the chassi go over the drive train clean & inspect everything.Good luck have fun!

Now THAT seems like a daunting task:D Would it even work?

[lodmccloud]

Hey do not be talking smack about the 6.5 and 6.2 I have a 6.2 with over 500K on it. It is all about how you treat them, the 6.5 is just as good but you have to get rid of that electronic injection pump and more the fuel filter away from the top of the engine so it does not vapor lock as bad.

[gotmike]

Swap the J truck body on to the ford chassi,That way you'll get all the HD components.Wile you have the body off the chassi go over the drive train clean & inspect everything.Good luck have fun!

that's how i did my diesel swap... 5.9 liter cummins... i shortened the frame length between the transfer case and rear driveline and just built new body mounts that way i had the heavier frame to handle the torque and the dana 60 front/dana 70 rear... and yes... it is a pretty daunting task... more than some would think... but it can be done...

[highspdlife0224]

Hey do not be talking smack about the 6.5 and 6.2 I have a 6.2 with over 500K on it. It is all about how you treat them, the 6.5 is just as good but you have to get rid of that electronic injection pump and more the fuel filter away from the top of the engine so it does not vapor lock as bad.

Oh no, don't mistake my opinion for hating. Lol I've just been on the receiving end of more horror stories about them than ones with a happy 300-500k ending. So I'm a little biased against them I suppose. Most of them do end with an epic case of vapor lock lol so perhaps the owners didn't use your solution. I might have to look into the body swap though I don't have the tools... Probably going to be more work than its worth huh?