SoI have an older truck andim contemplating ripping out the gasser and installing a cummins. I was on a few other sites asking some ??'s about which diesel would be the easiest to swap ( power stroke vs cummins vs duramax ) and the cummins 12 v came up over and over. They all said it was pretty much bullit proof and didnt use the electronics of todays engines. so im currious just what all is involved to swap out one of these engines. What electrical connections will need to be fixed up and how complicated are these engines. from what I have read I dont wanna even begin a late model powerstroke or duramax swap. Im just looking for a good ole work horse diesel.

thanks

 

for the engine. . .you only need one connection, the fuel shutoff solenoid

just about every engine manufactured after 98 will have some electronics to hook up in some way. the Duramax didnt come out till 03(I think) and it has always been electronic, before that was the GM 6.5L boat anchor. The older power strokes are mechanical as well, however they did turn to electronic injectors at some point in time. . .once again I dunno when. the 7.3's are good engines and will take anything you toss at them. . .in stock form. but once you start pushing more and more power through them the crank begins to have some issues. I know a few guys in my area that are running nearly 400hp through a 12 valve cummins on the stock internals. 7.3's would need a new crank, rods and pistons. . .the gm6.5L would be lucky to push anything past 275hp.


the 12 valve cummins is VERY easy to work on. the filters are easy to get to, any adjustments you need to make to the fuel pump are easy to get to. the only thing you may have a problem doing is actualy getting your hands on one

 

Not much electrical to the old 12v. Just a shutdown solenoid, starter, alternator, and a few sensors for coolant temp and such.

 

Actually the 6.9/7.3 IDI were the only mechanical diesels ever in Fords (from I think '84-94.5) and they were not Powerstrokes (and they weren't turbo).

There are '94.5 factory turbo 7.3 IDI's out there but they are hard to find and weren't very impressive in stock form from what I've heard.

Beyond that, they were Powerstrokes and they were all electronic.

 

see. . .thats info I like to see

 

what kind of truck do you want to convert? i have done four different gas to 12v cummins swaps. i may beable to give ya a few pointers. and would greatly recomend the 12v cummins over anything unless you like electrical mightmares!!!

 

hey im looking to swap it into an 86 f250. Its a truck Im getting cheap and I have always wanted to mess with diesels so I thought why not. Im just looking for the fastest easiest cheapest swap I can get


thanks

 

with that, i think a first gen. 12 valve is the easiest way to go. just need the dodge voltage regulator, run one wire to the injection pump, and just use the sensors out of the fords engine to run your gauges. the hardest part is building the motor mounts and fitting a radiator

 

the actual fab work like mounts etc doesnt bother me at all. Im just trying to avoid a wireing nightmare as you said.

 

the first gen is the way to go then, they were in 87 to 93 rams and the 91.5 to 93s were intercooled, also may be eaiser and cheaper than a second gen to find.