Late 70's Diesel Conversion! Pics Inside. ((((DIAL-UP Warning))))

Ford428CJ

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A few things that you will need for this project. Hand tools, Metal chop saw, Sawzall, welder, hand grinder, cheery picker, jacks, jack stand (or blocks of wood). I'm sure there are a few other goods you will need.

Next (for those running a C-6 4x4 with a 205 T-case) you will need a Diesel C-6 Tranny with a C-6 gasser out put shaft and a diesel governor installed on it! So it will go back in the same spot as the gasser did with out modding everything else.

Options for C-6 tranny:
I built mine with a gear reduction kit for it. Lowers 1st gear by 10% and 2nd by 5% with a heavy duty sprag kit. All those parts are rollerized. I have a 6 clutch instead of a 5 clutch. Here is where I got my parts from! Jay is an AWESOME guy to deal with. All of his parts drop in without modding the tranny case. Slick set-up and he is a FORD Guy.

https://www.securepay.com/easyshop/index.asp?mMerch_ID=36422&mDataSource=36422&ESVer=5

Now you will need to strip the front end off your truck! I put all my hardware into baggies (marked what they went to) and attached them to the parts. Did that so I can account for all my parts! Now the fun begins!

You may want to install a 2" body lift on the truck. I put on a 3" body on mine just because of the Turbo and it left me a ton of room for everything. Including the valve covers (if I need to pull them for what ever reason).

I installed the Diesel C-6 trans in it (with out the converter). I left the mount plate to the cross member unbolted (for the T-case). Then I took the engine and lined it up with the tranny (wont be able to bolt it up to the engine) and centered the front of the engine with the frame rails. Then I mark the X-member centered to the engine dampener Bolt.

Remove the engine. I cut a 10 1/2" wide cut. I took out of the top about 2 1/2" wide. Start from the weld across the top on the passenger side and cut 90 degrees to the frame rail (because the cross member sites cockeyed so to speak). I made a cut across the back side of the X-Member down to wear it starts to roll up ( I want to say 3 or 3 1/2" down). You'll see in the pictures on what I'm talking about.

Next re-mock up your engine back in the bay! Bolt it up to the tranny. Make sure the engine sits level from side to side and front to rear! I used an angle finder. But make sure you truck is on a level surface to begin with! Make sure your T-case plate sites flat and your bolt holes line up. Give it a good look over. You can use a floor jack under the engine to help level it from front to rear.

After you do all that. Check your x-member and make sure everything clears the oil pan. If it does. Remove the engine.

Next, Its time to box it in. I boxed in the X-member with 1/4" Plate for mine.
once you do that then you can reinstall the engine to make sure it clears everything. Then you can get started on the mounts!

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I used the plates (the plated that bolt to the truck and the motor mounts rest on) out of the mid 80's pick-up.

Driver side from front of the truck
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Top of driver side mount
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Back of Driver side
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Passenger side from the front of truck back
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Top Passenger side
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& back
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Whole X-Member
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You will need a selector valve with a return set-up. I didn't want to hack up my wiring on my truck. So if you wanted to turn it back to a gasser with the stock selector valve in it, you could. I use the stock switch in the truck! You will need 2 relays if you use the Wells VS2 Selector valve. You will need to revers the polarity on the switch is all. Made it simple without adding a switch to your dash. I used 5/16 bungs for the fuel tanks and mounted them on top of the tanks near the sending unit. Easy to install.

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Hope this gives you an idea on what to do and what you are getting into for the most part. I know I didn't cover everything but its really general to begin with.
 

Ford428CJ

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Here are some other pics of it!

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77f250diesel

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How is your clearance btwn the oil filter and pumpkin ? How are the elec. fans working for you ?

Dennis
 

Ford428CJ

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Nice job.:thumbsup: :Thumbs Up :Thumbs Up

Thanks for the kind words Trackspeeder!


How is your clearance btwn the oil filter and pumpkin ? How are the elec. fans working for you ?
Dennis

Well I do have a 4" lift on the truck! I have plenty of clearance between the oil filter and the diff. The E-fans seem to work OK. I do have an adjustable stat on them. I'm waiting for the Aluminum radiators to come out for that year of truck! I have the stock 3 row in it now. But I don't think it will be enough for this summer/ good size load!
 

IDIJunkie

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Man you did a great job-Drool -Drool :love: :thumbsup: . I wish that old 79 I have at the barn looked like that.
 

subway

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very nice, i would love to get an old bump side someday and do this when i get some extra money and done with other projects......etc, etc.
 

84TD

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That is so sweet!!! As I conversion I hope to do or buy a converted one someday(hint, hint) Looks top notch!!
 

Agnem

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Let's talk about that radiator and those electric fans. How long has this been on the road, and what are your observations on cooling? Excellent job by the way.
 

dansvan

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HOw does running it without a cdr valve work? I've seen people use a road draft tube open to atmosphere, but not directly back into the air inlet.
 

Ford428CJ

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Man you did a great job-Drool -Drool :love: :thumbsup: . I wish that old 79 I have at the barn looked like that.

very nice, i would love to get an old bump side someday and do this when i get some extra money and done with other projects......etc, etc.

That is so sweet!!! As I conversion I hope to do or buy a converted one someday(hint, hint) Looks top notch!!

Thanks Guys for the kind words! I will let you know if I ever sell the thing. Its hard to find these things in good shape anymore! :thumbsup: ;Sweet
 

Ford428CJ

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Let's talk about that radiator and those electric fans. How long has this been on the road, and what are your observations on cooling? Excellent job by the way.

Yea, Im curious also

Well its a 3 Row with a 16" Flex-a-lite (Syclone High Performance Fan) and a 10" Spal. The fans are controlled by a Flex-A-Lite Adjustable Thermal switch. I run in the neighborhood of 192-195 Degrees @ 8psi of boost (haven't turned up the fuel to the IP yet), Pyro 950-1000 Degrees. Thats empty!

I will go to an aluminum radiator here soon! They are supposed to make them for my style of Truck and I was told it would be less then a year when they come out with them!

I'm just afraid of the hot weather this coming summer (and a load with A/C). Winters here are cold and I'm not to worried about it at this time LOL.
 
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