1981 Ford F600 Engine Swap - Candidates?
Posted by _ak_@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 65 comments
My Question: Are there some well known engine swap candidates? If so, what are they?
Background:
I've got a 1981 Ford F600 Bobtail with a 370 FT V8 (6.1 L) engine which makes 155-200HP from what I can find online.
I'd like to diesel swap it, but my experience is limited to helping people LS swap OSB Chevy's and dropping a 5.9 Cummins into a Jeep. In the LS world there's lots of kits for different vehicles - is there anything similar here or am I going to end up fabricating my own motor mounts and so on?
I checked with a few local diesel places that do engine swaps and tunes, but seemed to say its too much custom work for them to take on.
Thanks! š»
-FARTHAMMER-@reddit
12 valve Cummins is the way. Cheap and easy and bulletproof.
CocoonNapper@reddit
Diesel swap seems like a lot of work - too many components. Got for a 460.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Too many components? Can you elaborate?
The only extra step that sticks out to me is purging the fuel lines and cleaning out the fuel tank.
CocoonNapper@reddit
Most likely going to have to swap the transmission as well, diesel grade tank, competely different fuel system, electrical and wiring needs to be changed (spark vs no spark), engine mounts would probably need to be welder on, cooling upgraded, exhaust would need to be changed. Way too much work compared to getting something from Ford gas family.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
I hear you about the transmission, but I want to manual swap it anyway. Even if not diesel, its probably going to need a different transmission because I'm guessing whatever is in there is shot or not fit for anything besides being an aircraft tug.
Glow plugs vs spark plugs isn't even worth mentioning, whatever swap engine is going to come with glow plugs.
Same for engine mounts, even the 460 is going to need different mounts.
It will need new exhaust too, because I'm going to change the box on it and that'll require different routing.
I don't mean to be dismissive, but those are either trivial or something that needs to be done even if using a gas engine.
CocoonNapper@reddit
Your whole wiring system is different. Even the fuel pump you'll use. Not worth the hassle in my book. I would go with a big gasoline engine.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
I get that its not for you. I do 12v automotive wiring all the time in my shop, I'm not worried about any of that.
What I'd really like to know is like I said in the original question, if anyone makes any engine mount kits for F600 swaps. I'm having a hard time finding a local shop that will fabricate them.
WTMisery@reddit
Find a local welder to make the mounts. This will probably be the fastest.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
For sure. So far the welding places I've talked to have passed on it because the amount of space it'd take up in their shop.
And there's a 100% chance I will measure wrong or something silly and have them weld them up in the wrong place.
That said, finding a local welder that'll take it on is still the leading idea.
Worth-Intention6957@reddit
There were factory diesel versions, the mounts might interchange
nostradumbass7544678@reddit
It would probably be way cheaper to buy a decent mig/ flux core welder, an angle grinder, and some scrap steel, and make your own.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Probably, but I am not a great welder and I'd want a professional to do it right.
weasel5134@reddit
I think a 300 inline would be hilarious
Newzachary@reddit
Turbocharged 300
trailing-octet@reddit
I was kinda thinking that, with LPG or e85 and an obscene amount of boost.
That saidā¦. A 700bhp Barra could work ok. I think a blown v8 is a better gasoline option, but the Barra is pretty cool no matter what you swap it into.
User_OU812@reddit
3 miles to the gallon you say.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
I'm pretty ignorant, I don't know anything about the 300 - why's that hilarious? Big truck w/ small engine?
I don't know much about it, but from what I can find the specs are similar if not worse than the 370 that's in it, right?
weasel5134@reddit
It was the 6cyl option in the f150s to see it in a big truck is the hilarious part
You'll have the same or better torque and very likely better fuel econ
bszern@reddit
They put it in the F600s in the 60s, itās a historically correct option
rqx82@reddit
It was used in dump trucks back in the 60s and 70s, so not really that far out of line. Lots of gearing advantage, and the HD version is desirable because itās high-flowing and beefy, perfect for boost.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Haha, OK i get it now. I like the idea, this truck deserves something silly like that for sure.
amphib13@reddit
Or with a blown 4bbl?
amphib13@reddit
Hell yeah. How about with 3 carbs?
Kennylobster8899@reddit
Manual trans 12 valve. Simple
mukulsharma000@reddit
for a medium duty like the F600 your common swaps are a 4BT Cummins if you want compact and simple, or a 6BT if you want more grunt but it's a tighter fit. fabricating mounts is pretty much unavoidable here. Dynosty in Louisville migth be able to point you toward someone who's tackled similar builds.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Awesome, thanks for sharing that gives me some things to look into.
Farmerstubble@reddit
350 chevy
WTMisery@reddit
I would think a 3208 out of an F6000 donor would be a pretty easy swap. We had a 6000 dump truck at work with a 4 speed and a brownie 4 speed box behind it (two shifters). It was a lot of fun, would haul 30,000lbs of steel in the bed and had plenty of power at slow speeds. Poor old truck got scrapped because the company didnāt want to put a $1500 injector pump on it.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Ooooohh!! This is an excellent idea š„°
I'll hunt around a bit to see if there's a B series bus or dump locally that I can get some measurements from.
How worried should I be about the extra weight? I'm sure thats quite a bit heavier than a 370.
WTMisery@reddit
The axle should be able to handle it, might need to go to a stiffer spring. Itās about double the weight according to google.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I'll run some numbers.
Heavy-Focus-1964@reddit
what about one of them godzilla engines
ResponseNo6375@reddit
This is what I was thinking
kevinatfms@reddit
7.3 Godzilla and 10R80. Get the Ford Racing Controls Pack and its a simple wire job.
CrazyTechWizard96@reddit
Not sure about it but...
Did You just say "5.9 Cummins into a Jeep"?
Year and Model, I'm curiouse and want to 5.9 swap a WJ later down the line.
I only know some who did some of those small Cummines engiens, ya know, those Van engiens, iirc, 4 something liter 4 bangers with some 155hp.
Haven't found soemone bold enough to toss a 5.9 into a WJ, unelss maybe to toss the unbody onto a 2. or 3. gen Dodge ram.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Yessir. 2022 if I remember right, but the front clip was from a different style Jeep. I'll have to get the specifics.
rqx82@reddit
I know you meant OBS old body style Chevys, but now Iām picturing OSB oriented strand board Chevys and itās hilarious to me in my head. Particle board square bodies!
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Crap. I can't keybort.
I would love to build an OSB chevy but the last thing I need are emergency trips to autozone and home depot š
TrolleyDilemma@reddit
Was this on GovDeals? I think I saw this auction lmao
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Sure was š
716econoline@reddit
We have a 1990 with the new holland Brazilian diesel. Its honestly not bad for a driver and uses factory parts. But other than that gotta go big block
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Very nice. I had a chance to buy one of those Brazilian diesels locally a few years ago but passed on it because i didnt think i'd find parts for it š¢
AdjunctFunktopus@reddit
Iād looked at dt466 for a F-500 project that still hasnāt materialized. Should be able to find one in a bus easily enough and theyāve got tons of aftermarket support should you ever want absurd power levels.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I hadn't considered that. I'll add it to the list of things to measure.
Alpha_Hellhound@reddit
Pull the dt440 out of a school bus. Pretty easy to fab up the mounts, plus you've got all the electrics from the bus to move over.
RelativeMotion1@reddit
Thereās not going to be much or any off-the-shelf stuff for this. Youāre going to need to learn how to make some of it, or get ok with paying people to make things for you.
For a swap, I think Iād shoot for an engine out of a 2000-2015 F-650/750. You can get a 5.9 Cummins ISB or a Cat 3126. There are several transmission options for those, from manuals from Eaton Fuller or Spicer, to autos from Allison. You get the benefits of electronic control without the emissions stuff, and a modern trans with 6 speeds instead of whatever is in it now.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
I agree, I'm excited for the challenge I just wanted to make sure I wasn't reinventing the wheel if there was already something off the shelf.
5.9 Cummins is the leading candidate, but a Cat 3126 sounds interesting. I need to read up on that. Thanks for the transmission recommendations too š
RelativeMotion1@reddit
The heavy duty Cummins 5.9s are solid. I just think the Cat is cooler, and no less solid of an engine.
The 3126 (and its predecessor the 3116) are in everything. Schools busses, medium duty trucks from Ford and Chevy, and even boats (which is a solid indicator of reliability/durability). Mid-300 HP and 800 lb ft of torque.
Theyāre also HEUI injection like a 7.3 Powerstroke. So you donāt have the high pressure fuel system or sensitive high pressure fuel pump to deal with.
Deboss Garage on YouTube swapped one into his OBS F-350, if you want to get a better idea of whatās involved.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Awesome, thanks for those youtube tips. My initial research was saying that the cat engine or 7.3 wouldn't fit without modifying the hood/firewall... I was like what the heck, the 7.3 came in the pickups how could it not fit in this. I'll definitely check those out.
Big-Energy-3363@reddit
The 460 has torque you need. They are cheap to build
Big-Energy-3363@reddit
460, all day long with a 6R80 behind it
The3rdbaboon@reddit
BMW or Mercedes V12
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Interesting. That sounds like even more custom work than a Ford engine.
Where does a guy even find a german diesel?
Crewstage8387@reddit
I would go for a 460 or the 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel.
OP what do you plan on use this truck for?
_ak_@reddit (OP)
I like the idea of a 7.3. There's one locally that I might meet up with the guy to get some measurements.
What do I plan on using it for? Just for driving around and looking silly. I'm not the loud/roll coal type. But I really like the sound and feel of the 6.2 Detroit Diesel in my K30 and I want the challenge of doing a diesel swap here.
As long as it still gets around town to get groceries without being left behind at a traffic light, and makes people at car shows go "....why?" I think its a win.
East-Teacher8542@reddit
12v Cummins
ac5450@reddit
Detroit diesel 2 stroke. 53, 71 or 92 series. Whatever variety you can get your hands on. Put an Allison 643 or 545 behind it and just go make a ton of noise. Or take the easy way and just drop in the drive line out of a wrecked school bus.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
I like this idea, sounds fun.
panelbeater352@reddit
Chevy 8.0 from a junkyard. Add a supercharger and youād be set
Ambivadox@reddit
You could look into some place like diesel conversion specialist (they make mounts for 12/24v to F series pickups) if you were going 6bt to get started, but you'll still be fabbing.
There won't be a straight "bolt in" kit. There are quite a few differences between the LD and MD trucks.
A 4bt/6bt would be fun.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Yah, thats a good idea. š»
I've checked out places like Carrick Customs because I know people that have used their Cummins mounts.
It's a long shot, but I'm hoping someone somewhere knows someone that did up some F600 mounts and wouldn't mind making some money fabricating another set.
Ambivadox@reddit
Might be worth surfing 4btswaps.com
They have quite a bit of info that could lead you in the right direction. Reaching out to some of the suppliers there could also point you where you need to be.
_ak_@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I'll check that out.
gerry2stitch@reddit
Rotary.
girthypeter@reddit
Turbo big block