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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Diesel conversions
#2547546
08/30/11 10:17 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
cos
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Have a very nice 79 F250 4x4 and am thinking about converting it to a diesel has a c-6 auto that i want to keep in truck 3;54 gears, has anyone had experiance in a conversion and what is the best motor to look for, don't need a lot of power, just a good dependable one that gets good mileage. can no longer afford to drive, has a near fresh 351M now. Thanks Gary
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: cos]
#2549031
08/31/11 01:42 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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A 12V cummins is what I would want, not alot of power but plenty and is one of the easiest on fuel. I would scrap your drive line except the rear axle though and just find a engin trany combo to swap in.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: redchevy]
#2549944
08/31/11 07:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
grout-scout
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Theres a fella around here that put a cummins in about that year model Ford. It's red & black ext. cab, looks pretty freaking nice but I've never talked to him. I'd second finding a 12v cummins. Best diesels ever made.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: grout-scout]
#2550022
08/31/11 08:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
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You must really drive a lot of miles to justify the amount of money it would cost to convert your truck to a diesel.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: don k]
#2550611
09/01/11 12:02 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
cos
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Thanks guys, Don it is hard to justify a lot of the things i do, esp. to my wife! I have been babying this 79 Ford since it was almost new, have had many new 4-door fords and would still rather drive the 79, but at 9 mpg just don't much anymore.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: cos]
#2550913
09/01/11 02:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
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Thanks guys, Don it is hard to justify a lot of the things i do, esp. to my wife! I have been babying this 79 Ford since it was almost new, have had many new 4-door fords and would still rather drive the 79, but at 9 mpg just don't much anymore. I don't even try to justify any more.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: saltbranch]
#2551519
09/01/11 12:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
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It is a shame that the different manufacturers don't sell diesels here. I was in Australia a few years ago and toyota had a tacoma size pickup they sold that was diesel, 4 wheel drive, the air intake was up high on the cab so it would not catch as much dust or get drowned out. That thing would last forever.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: don k]
#2551934
09/01/11 03:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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If I could have aforded it I would have kept my old half ton chevy there was a local shop that would swap in a 4 cylinder cumins diesel into them but I just sold it while it was still worth something. I say the old 12V cummins because they are great on fuel, not gobs of power, but if you let them take their time sure as heck aint affriad to work, and they dont have all the electronic computer control.
matt
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: redchevy]
#2552565
09/01/11 08:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,744
psycho0819
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Best/cheapest route would be to install a 6.2 liter diesel out of a mid 80's GM truck of some kind. No computers to mess with and great fuel mileage. Most guys installing them in older trucks are seeing between 14 and 21mpg, depending on the vehicle set-up. Doing a later model Cummins swap is not economically viable, IMO. Too many electronics and computer controlled crap to deal with and adapt into a vehicle that has no provisions for it. You will have way more in the parts and installation than you'd ever save in fuel costs. But the 6.2's can be had for almost nothing because of their notable lack of HP/Torque. Best bet to go this route is find an old donor truck with the diesel motor, and buy the whole thing. This way you get every part you could need, except what you'd have to fab to make things fit.
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.
The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: psycho0819]
#2599299
09/21/11 04:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 152
poorboy
Woodsman
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Best/cheapest route would be to install a 6.2 liter diesel out of a mid 80's GM truck of some kind. No computers to mess with and great fuel mileage. Most guys installing them in older trucks are seeing between 14 and 21mpg, depending on the vehicle set-up. Doing a later model Cummins swap is not economically viable, IMO. Too many electronics and computer controlled crap to deal with and adapt into a vehicle that has no provisions for it. You will have way more in the parts and installation than you'd ever save in fuel costs. But the 6.2's can be had for almost nothing because of their notable lack of HP/Torque. Best bet to go this route is find an old donor truck with the diesel motor, and buy the whole thing. This way you get every part you could need, except what you'd have to fab to make things fit.
I disagree...the old GM diesels are too unrealiable...if one could find an old 12 valve with a rotary pump, that would be the way to go...the rotary pumps were in use from '89 to late '93...no electronics to worry about!!
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: poorboy]
#2605214
09/23/11 06:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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Best/cheapest route would be to install a 6.2 liter diesel out of a mid 80's GM truck of some kind. No computers to mess with and great fuel mileage. Most guys installing them in older trucks are seeing between 14 and 21mpg, depending on the vehicle set-up. Doing a later model Cummins swap is not economically viable, IMO. Too many electronics and computer controlled crap to deal with and adapt into a vehicle that has no provisions for it. You will have way more in the parts and installation than you'd ever save in fuel costs. But the 6.2's can be had for almost nothing because of their notable lack of HP/Torque. Best bet to go this route is find an old donor truck with the diesel motor, and buy the whole thing. This way you get every part you could need, except what you'd have to fab to make things fit.
I disagree...the old GM diesels are too unrealiable...if one could find an old 12 valve with a rotary pump, that would be the way to go...the rotary pumps were in use from '89 to late '93...no electronics to worry about!! My thoughts to a T!
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: poorboy]
#2611793
09/26/11 06:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,350
aeb
THF Celebrity
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Best/cheapest route would be to install a 6.2 liter diesel out of a mid 80's GM truck of some kind. No computers to mess with and great fuel mileage. Most guys installing them in older trucks are seeing between 14 and 21mpg, depending on the vehicle set-up. Doing a later model Cummins swap is not economically viable, IMO. Too many electronics and computer controlled crap to deal with and adapt into a vehicle that has no provisions for it. You will have way more in the parts and installation than you'd ever save in fuel costs. But the 6.2's can be had for almost nothing because of their notable lack of HP/Torque. Best bet to go this route is find an old donor truck with the diesel motor, and buy the whole thing. This way you get every part you could need, except what you'd have to fab to make things fit.
I disagree...the old GM diesels are too unrealiable...if one could find an old 12 valve with a rotary pump, that would be the way to go...the rotary pumps were in use from '89 to late '93...no electronics to worry about!! Definitely agree. My feed truck has the 6.2 liter. I have bought and re-bought that money pit several times over the years. Not near as proud of that truck as I was several years ago. 
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: aeb]
#2616588
09/28/11 03:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 640
Txhunter83
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I know a guy that has a ~2005 chevy 1500 crew z71 and he dropped a 12v cummins in it. He really went all out. Ended up ordering a custom computer that linked everything perfectly. He was able to use the factory transmission and transfer case (doubt it'll hold up). I figured he'd have to put stiffer suspension but he didn't. He had almost 10k in it. Really cool truck but a lot of money.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: Txhunter83]
#2616938
09/28/11 12:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
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The old chevy diesels were P.O.S. It is a hell of a lot cheaper in the long run to just buy a truck with a diesel unless you are going to do the conversion yourself and just like to tinker with stuff.
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: don k]
#2619310
09/29/11 02:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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The 6.2's were junk, the 6.5 were ok, not the powerhouse diesles that we are used to today, but I know several people who have them with 200K plus on them still running just fine.
matt
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: redchevy]
#2628033
10/03/11 03:15 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 577
Bear Creek
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Why not keep it a Ford with a normally aspirated 7.3? Great mileage and they'll go forever. If you want more ooomph and you're budget will allow, then look for a 7.3 PS.
Nothing against the Cummins....hell I got one sitting in the garage, but a '79 Ford 3/4 ton needs a Ford motor!!
As an aside: I don't have too many regrets in this life but I do still kick myself for not hanging onto my old '74 3/4 Ford w/C6 and a warmed up 390 that I drove in college. Now that I think about it I think I traded it in on a 7.3 diesel....
Keep us posted and please don't try to rationalize!!!
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: Bear Creek]
#2628814
10/03/11 03:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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I guess Id be getting everything ford out of it tha I could..  , na just jerkin your chain. Honestly dont think for could beat the 12 valve cummins. Its gonna have a much larger following than any of the others, which should make parts easier and cheaper to find. Plus people have done it with that engin combo before so info should be out there. matt
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: redchevy]
#2642190
10/08/11 02:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#2652995
10/12/11 01:39 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,277
cos
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12 valve cummins is probably going to be the way to go but have also been looking at the Isuzu Diesel out of a delivery truck 4 cylinder 130 hp. Thanks
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#2653474
10/12/11 03:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,296
pokerj2
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President of American Entitlements LLC
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Re: Diesel conversions
[Re: don k]
#2701914
10/28/11 09:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,594
Skylar Mac
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It is a shame that the different manufacturers don't sell diesels here. I was in Australia a few years ago and toyota had a tacoma size pickup they sold that was diesel, 4 wheel drive, the air intake was up high on the cab so it would not catch as much dust or get drowned out. That thing would last forever. That's a Toyota Hi-Lux and it's a beast. I have tried to get one of my friends to keep an eye out for one, but frieght is rediculous. They are great trucks.
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