88 Chevy 2500 6.9 IDI swap

hacked89 · Jan 6, 2023

Yea, you can probably use an 85-96 ford 460 radiator. It’s 1.75 x 1.75 though so on the one side you’ll need to a non oem hose but this is a custom project I’m thinking you aren’t using oem hose anyway since it’s a Chevy core support.

u2slow · Jan 6, 2023

Try the non-Ac IDI rad? It is wide and short.

There's also the 6.2 diesel and 454 rads.... Probably since 73 to 98 range. These were wide too.

Isaac Ristow · Jan 6, 2023

u2slow said:
Try the non-Ac IDI rad? It is wide and short.

There's also the 6.2 diesel and 454 rads.... Probably since 73 to 98 range. These were wide too.

The problem is the hose barb orientation is completely different on gm to ford/idi custom metal piping would probably have to be made which I've done stuff like that before maybe its feasible for him to do with this I've gone from 6.2 diesel to a ford idi radiator before was metal cross over pipes I made. But to OP I would definitely check with the short wide ford idi radiator iirc they are like 20 inches tall and 37 or 42 wide or something? My perkins swapped 85 c30 has a early bullnose 460 radiator in it it actually fit the gm core support very well slight modification but it's a square body.

u2slow · Jan 7, 2023

Chevy rads didn't change a lot with the body style change.

Sounds like the 460 and short/wide IDI rad are similar. This configuration stays above the frame rails, but basically spans from headlight to headlight.

hacked89 · Jan 7, 2023

u2slow said:
Chevy rads didn't change a lot with the body style change.

Sounds like the 460 and short/wide IDI rad are similar. This configuration stays above the frame rails, but basically spans from headlight to headlight.

The 460 and the non ac core supports are the same. The reason I told him 460 radiator and not “idi non ac” is because the 460 radiator is cheap and available and the non ac radiator is not available

FoxNotch · Jan 7, 2023

The ford radiators you guys suggested are pretty close. I stumbled across this one last night which is a little tall, but close enough that I can probably get it to work without modifying the radiator suppport.

Champion Cooling Systems CC1451: All-Aluminum Radiator 1985-1997 Ford F-Series Truck - JEGS High Performance

Buy Champion Cooling Systems CC1451 at JEGS: Champion Cooling Systems All-Aluminum Radiator 1985-1997 Ford F-Series Truck. Guaranteed lowest price!

www.jegs.com

asmith · Jan 9, 2023

This thread needs more pictures!!! that is all.

FoxNotch · Jan 17, 2023

Been chipping away at this in our very limited spare time.
Still not settled on a radiator. Due to the chevy steering box location and the IDI engine fan sticking down so far a drivers side lower radiator port would be really difficult to plumb. So current plan is to use a Chevy radiator that at least fits right, and plumb accordingly. Still shopping around for a radiator with correct port sizes.

Other than that, fuel system is plumbed, exhaust pieced together, shift linkage adapted, dipstick tubes bent to fit and driveshaft installed (DS from the van was a direct fit so that's nice).

Any ideas on where to find a wiring diagram for the Chevy? 88 c2500

kbenz · Oct 10, 2023

How are you making out on this project?

FoxNotch · Nov 20, 2023

Going well, though working on it very rarely. Busy with other projects and other stuff keeps breaking.
Went with a late 90s chevy radiator/shroud. Which was obviously bolt up but had to make custom plumbing.
Otherwise just knocking around town with it and tinkering as we go. Straightening out what we need or don't need out of each wiring harness little by little.

Coolant, fuel level and voltage gauges are working well. Tried a few different senders for oil pressure but that's not responding. So may have to just go aftermarket there along with a speedometer.

Next big item is converting the front to 8 lug and going through the suspension and brakes.

88 Chevy 2500 6.9 IDI swap

hacked89

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Champion Cooling Systems CC1451: All-Aluminum Radiator 1985-1997 Ford F-Series Truck - JEGS High Performance

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