1973-1979 F-250 Diesel Conversion
 

Has any one ever done A conversion from a 400M gas job to an IH 6.9 non-turbo? I pulled the 6.9 from an 86 e350 van with an auto trans, but I'm converting it to a manual (4speed):rocking:. Info on any issues or even good stuff would be great. Thanks

If your going to go through all the work to swap, why not swap a Powerstroke in there? More bang for your buck IMO...

I'm not putting a powerstroke in because they're not mechanical injection, im gonna have enough of a project tryin to get the glow plug set up right, never mind an electonic fuel pump. My lazziness is leading to the easy conversion, plus the engine was cheap. :tu:

94-97 Powerstrokes do not use electric fuel systems...

Just seems like a lot of work for really no reward. But, if that's what your after, good luck. :c:

I've seen a few with 4BT's and 6BT's... also a Detroit, but that one also had the road master 18 speed in it! LOL

There is a late 70's Ford on CL around here with a cummins in it...

Every 7.3 powerstroke has electronically controlled injectors. If you have the engine and trans it shouldn't be any worse than any other swap. There is always going to be a bunch of stuff no one thinks of that you will have to change but you are going with a simple truck with plenty of room under the hood and a simple engine.

Not an IDI... They are mechanical and have an injection pump.

IDI's are not powerstrokes. The only thing besides the make they have in common is the 7.3L displacement.

I just saw 7.3... not the powerstroke part. my bad.

For less than a swap you can get 400hp out of the 400m. Food for thought. The 6.9 isn't a good replacement IMHO.

If you're wanting to stay mechanical you could always go with a 12v :humm:

I think he is more looking at the fact he already has a 6.9. I wouldn't say a 6.9 is a bad replacement for a 400m. You might be able to get more hp out of the 400 but the mpg's on a 400 are terrible. If money wasn't a issue I would say go with the 12v. You can easily make more power on them but the 6.9 is a good reliable engine and if you are not worried about making lots of hp it will be fine.

Thats true

I have a 78 Bronco and I'm planning on swapping out the 400 for a 4bt at some point. A 4bt weighs nearly the same as a fully dressed big block so no suspension upgrades are necessary, they have a similar overall length so no cutting of the firewall is required. I think Im going to box the front half of the frame (at least around the motor mounts). I had a 6.9 in an 84 f250 with the auto and it got 18mpg. I've seen 400 trucks that get 15 with a 4 speed and 3.50 gears. I would say, in having experience with both 400's and 6.9's Its not worth the time and money. Either build the 400 for fuel economy with a 4 speed (435 is the best bet) behind it, or save up and swap a 4bt in there. A properly geared 4bt/5speed combo will get close to 30 mpg. At least thats my plan!

My 400 has twin 750 hollys sittin on top of her, I think I nearly drain half the tank on start up! haha