Swapping engines

[windowbarn]

How easy would it be to put a 7.3 diesel engine in a gas van. Is the wiring the same?? what all would you have to replace other than the engine?? Thanks.

[elibenson]

Transmission, for one, also the wiring harness, computers, engine mounts, probably front suspension, the dog house, the instrument cluster, in-cab wiring, god knows what else.

Basically, go and sell your gasser, an get a diesel. I'm not saying it *can't* be done, but it isn't worth it to do it.

[windowbarn]

What we have here is a rolled diesel van with good engine and tranny. Found a van with a bad gas engine. Would it still not be worth it?

[highraven99]

with a donar vehical you have every thing there, so it does make it more worth it. thats all up to you in the end

[windowbarn]

Has anyone on here ever done it?

[elibenson]

I would say that you might be better changing the body, rather than changing the engine. You would still have to pull all the electronics out of the inside, but it may be easier than re-wiring and re-plumbing the frame. Just strip the entire dash board out, and then remove anything from the firewall on the outside and let it dangle. Unbolt the body and lift it off.

Is this a 6.0l or a 7.3l? If it is a 7.3l, is it 95-97 or 99+?

[windowbarn]

This is a 2003 7.3. The thing is on the rolled van the frame is bent!! Would the dash wiring be the same?

[elibenson]

none of the wiring in the dash is the same except for like the radio and A/C maybe. The rest is different. The wiring for the ignition (and the switch it's self) switch is different too. Most likely the part that controls the cruise control is different. On a diesel it is entirely different system, since it is entirely electronically controlled.

Basically it would be a nightmare, but if you have the time and the donor truck, it could be done.

I would still recommend going with the body lift method. It seems like a lot of work, but that engine is awfully heavy when you are trying to shove it back into a hole it was never designed to come out of in the first place. You will be fabricating new engine mounts and trying to get measurements to place it right while trying to balance it on a stinger in the truck. Don't do that. Pull both bodies, and change the drive train. get everything set up while they are side by side, then set the body back on. While the body is off, you can start changing the engine compartment electrics. it would be easier to work in there.

You still might be better off buying a working diesel van and selling your gasser. Then you could either save the other van for spare parts, or part it out.

[windowbarn]

Has anyone ever changed there gas to a diesel??

[aszilagyi]

I personaly would do it.

Understand- it is a big job. That will require a compleate strip of both trucks.

Every nut and bolt and all pluming and wiring.

Want to sell your project?