Can anyone school me on a 7.3L conversion?

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SCJO06

SCJO06

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My 3FE is getting tired and I wanna go diesel. Avability is a factor just because there isn't a lot of diesel engines to choose from( around here anyway). A local classifed paper has a "early 90's 7.3L Diesel Engine for sale.....1025.00, also mentioned no turbo".

So take your best shots and talk me into.....or talk me outta this. Thanks for any help.
 
a new turbo, or good used one might cost that much again, but id like to see it done weather or not it would work well is to be proven.

Ithink the cummins 6bt would be an easier swap and has been done by a few members on the board.

We really could use someone on with first hand experience with the 7.3 but they are pretty heavy and torquey for cruiser axles. JMO
 
The 6.2 or 6.5 chev would be a lot easier. Plenty of kits around and not too much different to a SBC.

It will only add a few pounds in weight.

I think someone mentioned the 7.3 was really wide
 
A 6.2's exhaust manifold ends up touching the steering shaft, and the 7.3 engine is wider, so I imagine 2" of spacer between the frame and steering box would be needed and maybe legthening the steering link bar to compensate if you run out of threads. Not a big deal though. The biggest hurdle would be finding a way to adapt a the engine to the LC tranny or a Ford compatible tranny to the LC transfer case.
I know Advance Adapters doesn't have a transfer case adapter for the ZF 5spd, and don't think they have one for the Ford automatic either.
 
I rented a 7.3L Powerstroke diesel to move some juck the other day, 200kms highway driving cost me $70 in diesel at a dollar a liter. That's 35L/100km or 6.7 miles per gallon (US).

Granted the truck was heavy....but jeez!
 
SCJO06 said:
My 3FE is getting tired and I wanna go diesel. Avability is a factor just because there isn't a lot of diesel engines to choose from( around here anyway). A local classifed paper has a "early 90's 7.3L Diesel Engine for sale.....1025.00, also mentioned no turbo".

So take your best shots and talk me into.....or talk me outta this. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

the mid 94-96 is the best 7.3 engine.
at 90 k/h running empty i go 28 mpg in my old 4X4 ford truck. at 100 k/h running with no trailer i got 28 mpg in my old ford van i am driving now...
TONS of power, lots of fun to drive.
the heavier the load / trailer the worse the fuel milage... worst tank of fuel was in northern ontario with the van pulling a 24 footer with about 4000 payload in a sever storm, bucking a head wind and spinning the one wheel drive tire up nasty hills...12 mpg at 90 km/hr
 
I have been through a couple of 7.3's. The 7.3 is a bored out 6.9 and if the owner did not believe the service bulliten. You have to treat the coolant with an additive! Not all, but most have a time bomb after 130K The cylinder walls are thin and will pin hole. Casting was porse. Not a problem with the 6.9 but became a problem with the early non turbo 7.3's. I do not know about fitting into a cruiser? Just a bit of knowledge of the motor.

Jim
 
yes, i heard the same report about that cylinder issue...
both mine are / were well over the 300,000 miles..
fingers crossed...
 
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