6.9 or 7.3 swap '81 F350

[Crankybait]

Ok.... This will be a future project when times allows. I have an '81 F350 that currently has a 351/400M and a T18 trans(4spd, no OD). It's a PTO driven dump so I'd like to keep all that original. I know the 400M has the same bell housing pattern as the 460. Will the current bell housing work with the diesel? I will be looking for a donor vehicle with a manual trans in case these parts are needed for the swap. Motor mounts, core support and what else will be needed? This truck is currently used just on the farm as it needs a bunch to get it road legal and the old 400M needs a valve job.

 

[79jasper]

Just get the diesel bell housing?

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[The Warden]

Will a T-19 bellhousing bolt to a T-18? Also, IIRC '80-'82 trucks had mechanical linkage clutches, so if you were able to bolt the diesel bellhousing into place, you'll also need to convert to a hydraulic clutch release.

 

[79jasper]

May be incorrect, but what I found said t18 and t19 bell housings will swap.

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[Crankybait]

I've located a couple of possible donor trucks. One is an 84 w/a 6.9 manual trans 3/4T 4wd. The other is a '92 with 7.3na and I'm guessing a ZF. I'll keep looking for the right donor truck. Is there any chance the current 400m bell housing will work??

 

[79jasper]

Personally, I can't say.
I want to say the 400m pattern is different from the 460.
Ford did some weird stuff.
Where on the other hand chevy had small block, and big block. The 6.2/6.5 would bolt right up to any small block trans.

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[Crankybait]

From my gasser experience the 460 and the 400m have the same bolt pattern. Just don't know if there is enough room for the flywheel and clutch, plus the mechanical vs hydraulic clutch.

 

[laserjock]

The reason the ZF 460 trans will work is that it is cast the same shape as the diesel. It just has to be redrilled. The auto's cannont be modified to fit because the casting is different. The only way to know for sure would be to mate the adapter plate up and look at it. I know the small block 351 and 460 are not the same bellhousing. I don't know if the 351M / 400 series is a big block pattern or not. This is one of the few things GM did better than ford in my opinion. Why have so many bellhousing patterns?

Sorry I don't have any pictures to show the difference between the big and small block ford pattern. I would seriously look for a bell housing or figure out how to swap your pto over to another trans. That might be the smartest move.

 

[Crankybait]

Ford bolt patterns are different. A quick tutorial ... 250(6), 289w, 300(6), 302w, 351w, 351c have the same pattern. 351/400m, 429, 460 have the same.. there are a few early 289's that have a 5 bolt pattern.. I was just hoping that I could use what I have from the bell housing back, but I'll keep looking for a donor truck that will be the easiest swap.

 

[laserjock]

If that's your plan, and the bellhousing on T18 and T19 are cross compatible, they can be had. Put up a WTB in market place. Someone probably has one. There is usually someone looking so if you strike out on compatibility, you can probably turn around and sell if need be.

 

[Crankybait]

I may have found a donor truck for my F350 swap... It's 2 hrs away and pretty cheap... With my luck the 6.9 is shot.. I may go look at it before I decide to buy. What do I need to look at besides water in the oil and vice versa?? What do ya think??? https://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/5885622373.html

 

[IDIoit]

is the 81 truck a 4wd?

 

[Crankybait]

No, it's a 2wd cab and chassis with a dump bed.. I missed the perfect donor ...1984 f350 with a 6.9 and 4x4. For the price it has everything I need for the swap, the seller says he just got it and knows nothing about it. I only use the '81 here on the farm, it needs too much work to make it road legal. The worst is it needs kingpins.

 

[IDIoit]

I would grab that other truck and simply get it running, unless the 81 has sentimental value.

 

[Crankybait]

Ok... The truck in OK I passed on, the owner didn't seem to be telling all he knew. Here is another prospect not that far from me... What ya think?

https://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/5944322710.html