thinking about engine swap

I might be able to get a van chassis that used to be a ambulance 7.3 diesel and I an thinking about putting the engine and trans in my 92 ex-cab F-150 has anyone tried this or know of anything that would be a major issue. I don't intend on hauling the weight in the bed but the 302 is smoking and weak kinda started running hot when I pulled my 6000# skid steer the other day. So I am either gonna have to go to a 351 and heavier trans or the diesel I kinda like the diesel idea for fuel milage and towing.

A long list of things to consider, including fuel system, computer & associated wiring harness, cooling system. I am not sure but think the 7.3 is a heavy engine for that front end. Might need to change rear axle to 3/4 ton equivalent and so on. Big project by the sound of it.

No ! ,,,Oh of course anything is possible . It could be Mcguyvered up and made to work . But as far as I know Ford never offer a 7.3 in a 1/2 ton . There must be a reason for this . Do you know how much a 7.3 weighs?

I'm no expert BUT..

1/2 ton you may have to beef up the suspension.

If it is the POWERSTROKE 7.3L, you may have a wiring nightmare, as I've never done this type of swap, but I suppose you could change the entire harness from one to the other

The diesel hooked to a auto isn't all that spectacular for fuel mileage. I have the old "mechanical" 7.3 in a 3/4 ton 4x4.. Not sure of gear ratio and all but if I get 10 mpg, I'm on a roll.. But it is the old 3-speed auto, so a 4 speed would help some.. My truck also weighs in at about 10k with the fuel tank filled, welder, air compressor, tools, etc.. But.. My company truck is a 6.0 with the 6-speed manual.. it has a utility box (that's loaded down) and 99% of the time is hauling 100 gallons of fuel, so I'm guessing the weight is close.. and I'd have to check my mileage records, but I'm thinking I get about 20 mpg out of that.

You would probably have to change the core support and for sure the radiator in your truck.. the gas radiators are nowhere near the size of the diesel. (the one in mine is 42x38 inches if I recall correctly, and I'd guess close to 100 pounds)

I'm not gonna tell you to do it or not do it, as you know how much you're willing to tackle.. My suggestion would be to use the ambulance as it is around the farm, or cut off the box, weld in a back wall and slap a good ol' flatbed on it.. Or maybe you could change some body mounts and set the truck cab on the ambulance frame.. those would be more feasible ways to do it I think..

If you do go through with the swap, as I said, I'm no expert, but I've done some swapping myself, and have some experience with both the old Mechanical 6.9 and 7.3's, and some with the Powerstroke 7.3's.. and a service book or 2 and would be willing to assist in any way I can

Brad

OH and the 7.3 weight is approximately 750 pounds

the weight is something I was thinking about but at 750# I think the front can handle it just may have to change the front springs.I intend on pulling the complete wiring harness and all components that are needed to operate the 7.3 I plan on keeping the factory type mounting system on the 7.3 I need the ex-cab and the chassis is a van type so the change to a pickup body is not gonna be possible from what I can see. I know a guy that routinely puts Cummins turbo diesels in 1500 dodge trucks. Jeff Garmin performance diesel look him up on the net he is in Griffin Ga. Races diesel trucks and has a serious diesel shop in Griffin

might save you a little trouble there is a 95 3/4 ton cab in a half here with the 7.3. needs the engin put back in the guy was doing engin swap and passed away, can check it and see if that part of the estate is still for sale

Don't waste your time. The F150 doesn't have the front end to carry the weight of that engine or the transmission or axle to take the torque... or the frame to take the twist.
Just as well find an F250 glider that needs another 7.3 if you want to use that engine.

Rod

from what I am told the 1/2 ton truck was not intended to tow or haul what the diesel could allow so the option was not put out. I may go to a 351 but I will need a trans. soon also this truck only has 156,000 on it and the trans. has been done once. It is in good shape and I think I can get the diesel cheap so I may try it not sure yet

I would check into the age and controls of that Ambulance. Ambulances idle a lot which is severe duty, and the computer set-up to automatically kick it up to high idle may have come out after it was built.

where are you at Dave

If the ambulance chassis is cheap enough, you could made a stout 1 ton flatbed or gooseneck trailer puller.

Don't waste your time with putting a 7.3 in a F150. The front end of that truck would not take it. If I remember right the engine alone weighs 1,000 pounds. What could do is put in better coil springs in the front and drop a 460 7.5 engine in it.

Done it once, never again. When an engine goes out Im rebuilding what was there. It wasnt that the engine was so bad its all the mickey mouse stuff that doesnt line up right, doesnt fit right, takes a month instead of a week, and costs 3 times what I planned on. All to have a frankentruck.

It would be easier to swap the body than the drivetrain.

By the time your done, you could have bought a new truck for what youll have in it. The 150 frame will not take a 7.3. They weigh more than 750 - 100 lbs when combined wit hthe trans. Youre looking at a couple of 1000.

By the time your done, you could have bought a new truck for what youll have in it. The 150 frame will not take a 7.3. They weigh more than 750 - 100 lbs when combined wit hthe trans. Youre looking at a couple of 1000.

Lots of places the vehicle would be uninspectable if the emissions codes were followed. mEl

Convertions cost LOTS of money andtime .Fix what you have.Lots cheaper(and sellable)

Ford never put the diesel in a 1/2 ton, and when they put it in a 3/4 ton back then, they reinforced the frame, which was not done for the gas V8's. Suspension parts also heavier than F150. I drove a '95 F150 with a 6cyl engine, 5sp manual, and 3.08 rear end for about 240,000 miles, often pulling loads like you describe (sometimes way heavier). Rebuild or replace your 302. Cheapest, easiest way to go.

what way did you go?

May be I have not paid close enough attention but are you running a trans cooler? When trans is cooler, usually engine runs cooler, too, if my memory is right. Dave