7.8l Ford Turbo diesel

Most people didn’t know that Ford worked with new Holland. Also, I know this isn’t an IDI but it was fords actual diesel while they were working with IH. I have a chance to buy a ‘90s model 7.8l In-line 6 turbo diesel with a 5 speed. Any one know anything about these engines? Had 127k and runs really good. It’s in a school bus but I was looking to get an old semi to put this in. Anyone know about them? I’ve read that they use these engines for tractor pulls and they can push 1khp on stock INternals.

I don't know much about them. I was told that they're Brazilian made (by Ford of course) and that they have cam problems. What the cam problems are I don't know. They do seem to be a decent medium duty engine from what little I've heard about them.

They are junk. Getting parts is nearly impossible these days.

I've had one for sale for almost4 years with no interest and I live in a very agricultural area. Is it any good? I personally don't know. But someone knows more than I do cause no one would touch it for 200 bucks and that's after they heard how well it ran.

Sounds like if you have one that's running and some time and fab experience... Go right ahead. But if you are paying more than a tiny amount for it, or can't do all of the work yourself... it's not worth it. Get a motor with parts available like an 8.3 cummins in that case - labor will be well above any motor costs if you aren't doing it yourself.

I was ways told the 6.6/7.8 were good motors it's just you can't get parts for them. They are wet sleeve design so they're like a dt360.

Good solid motors. Definetely not junk. Parts may be harder to get for them, but I doubt it's that hard, especially since essentially the same engine was used in lots of ag applications. Might take some research, but that certainly doesn't make the engine junk. Quick search shows results for gasket kits, rebuild kits, injectors, injection pump is a standard Bosch (MW or P), so any shop can get parts, etc etc.

IMHO the reason you don't see a lot of parts is the simple fact that they don't sell any because they just plain don't need them - they don't break.

The 6.6 is a bit underpowered, 7.8 is decent. Stock power options of 210, 240 & 270 HP. Difference appeares to be limitted to the turbo and intercooling (later ones had an intercooler on all motors, earlier only had it for the 240/270 HP) - 90 may be either way. Turning up the fuel and bumping the timing up helps a lot with power too. MW or P pump - 90 is probably a MW pump, but still good.

I have a 7.8 in what was a box truck and is now a crane/flatbed. It's got just shy of 600k miles on what appears to be an all original engine and it runs strong still - no smoke, starts right up, has decent power. IMHO it's pretty on par with the DT466/8.3. Certainly a tough motor, I overheated the snot out of mine trying to get up Tehachapi pass in the middle of summer (110* air temp) with a broke fan clutch pulling about 50k gross. Handled it just fine and no damage or issues since.

ASFAIK, 7.8/6.6 are not wet sleeve, they're patent bore engines. That being said, wet sleeves really don't matter that much. The only real benifit is being able to in frame an engine vs pulling it - something that matters when it's a commercial setup, but is much less of an issue for a home/hobby use. How often are you really going to rebuilt it? For most of us, once if at all.

Haven't heard anything about cam problems. Might have been an early engine issue. Just like anything else, there's undoubtedly improvements over the production run.

Bottom line, I wouldn't have any issues getting another.

Now, a better question becomes what are you doing with it? You mention putting it in a semi - that's a pretty small engine for a semi. It's a good MDT engine, but given a choice I'd go with something bigger for anything over a bobtail MDT. Beyond that, making it all work is going to probably be a pain - easier to get a complete semi and/or a motor that came stock with all the assorted bits you need.

You're right! They aren't a wet sleeve design. I always thought they were.

I considered one before I found my DT360 to put in my truck but passed because they are physically bigger. Not my much but my dt only clears by a couple inches.

Anyway, I have heard they are great engines but parts are not readily available. I mentioned that to my friend and he looked at me funny. They might not be readily available in the truck world but he said they are all over in the tractor/ag world. Apparently they ran those engines in farm tractors for 20+ years.

Having said that I "assume" they are the same basic block and engine but have not confirmed.

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subway said:

I considered one before I found my DT360 to put in my truck but passed because they are physically bigger. Not my much but my dt only clears by a couple inches.

Anyway, I have heard they are great engines but parts are not readily available. I mentioned that to my friend and he looked at me funny. They might not be readily available in the truck world but he said they are all over in the tractor/ag world. Apparently they ran those engines in farm tractors for 20+ years.

Having said that I "assume" they are the same basic block and engine but have not confirmed.

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I plan on a 360 swap later down the line. How do you like yours? Have you done any mods?

TurboSurge said:

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I plan on a 360 swap later down the line. How do you like yours? Have you done any mods?

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I love it so far, it is a lot of fabrication to get it in but it has been a great engine for pulling my camper and heavy firewood hauling.

So far the engine is stock with a turned up pump and upgraded turbo. It pulls a decent bit harder than my old IDI but in a more narrow power band. I do have a lot more reliable power potential to build on though.

Call and talk to Forrester Farm Equipment in Chambersburg, Pa. They are well known for turning these into pulling engines in the tractor world. I'm sure they could tell you the strengths and weaknesses plus any cheap or free upgrades you could do. The Ford 401 aka 6.6l was used in farm tractors for a long time starting in the late 60s. They made minor improvements along the way. This eventually became the Genisis motor in the New Holland tractors. The Genisis isn't the same as the old 401, but it has many similarities and even some interchangeable parts. The Genisis is an awesome engine and easy to make power! My cousin had one in his New Holland 8670 and was well over 200hp on the dyno with just minor tweaking. Over 200hp might not sound like much, but in the tractor world it's quite a bit. Especially for an engine that is running at nearly 100% load all day every day.