New to the forum with a diesel conversion question

[aquaponic70]

Hello everyone,
Just joined the forum and have a situation that I am sure some of you have run across. I recently purchased a 1970 F100. I have a 1984 E350 with a 6.9L diesel in it and am wanting to take the 302 out of the 70 and put in the diesel. Both are automatics. The reason I am bringing this to this forum is I am wondering if there are any concern with engine weight on this conversion? I had a 69 with a 360 in the past and these engines appear to be in the same size range. My plan is to put later model front axles to get disc brakes before installing the engine. Any problems that you all know of? Would love to hear your feedback.
Trav.

[JWW]

I believe this is a conversion thread...

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... t=official

When you get a chance, go the welcome mat.

[aquaponic70]

Sorry for the confusion. My bad. I thought since the question had to do with the suspension capacity of a F100 this might be the right place.

[Redcap]

Sorry for the confusion. My bad. I thought since the question had to do with the suspension capacity of a F100 this might be the right place.

Good point. I don't think I'd want to stick a diesel into an F100, for that reason alone...unless you beefed up the suspension considerably.

[JWW]

I believe this is a conversion thread...

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... t=official

When you get a chance, go the welcome mat.

Yeah, you are in the right place. I don't know much about the conversion thread, but I thought you might find it helpful.

[aquaponic70]

Thanks for the replies. I have been looking at spring replacement and found that there are several springs that are used on both the 250's and 100's. The weight of the engine is about 900 lbs I am told which is a couple hundred more than a 460. I am thinking though it would not be much different than having a heavy duty brush guard or tire carrier on there. Any spring suggestions?
Trav.

[Wes]

I wonder if you compared say an early 90's f250 6.9 truck spring offerings to to the over all length and diameter of your current springs. You may be able use the later model springs in the f100.

[aquaponic70]

Is there any place where one can check the difference in spring dimensions to see if a different spring will fit? I found a Moog MCCCC808 is used on trucks of a lot of years (F100, 150 and 250's) with big blocks in them but when I looked for trucks with a 6.9 the spring was a MCCC844S for a 1984 F250. Would love to find out if that spring would fit the mounts as it is used for that application. THanks for your help.
Trav.

[H-DFord]

Just throwing this out as i'm thinking of doing same thing you are talking about doing. The frame's on the f250 are more heavy duty. If you could switch frames and use springs from 250 then go with rearend and front spindles from a f100 truck should be a heavy 1/2 ton. Just more thoughts to confuse you more. But it's just one of the things i'm looking at for my truck. John

[aquaponic70]

One of the primary reasons I am trying to stay with the F100 is insurance, tax and license fees here in SC. The lighter duty titles have a much lower property tax rate than the newer bigger trucks. I happen to already have the 6.9 or would consider a smaller engine. I will have to look into the difference in the mountings for the springs next time I am near a salvage yard. There are companies who make special springs but I am hoping to do a stock swap if I can. I am wondering if the frame difference is really an issue since I will be driving mostly on the road.
Trav.

[averagef250]

It will work, but it won't drive like a sports car.

Atleast put F-250 coils in and run a swaybar up front. The F-100 frames are pretty thin. They'll handle the weight, but you'll be able to feel to feel the frame flexing on rough roads and with decent weight in the bed.

With diesel at 4.50 a gallon you might go for something more efficient than the IDI 6.9. Unless you have a bunch of veggie or WMO to burn and aren't worried about fuel costs. The 3.9 cummins drops right in these trucks and gets 25+ MPG average when geared right.

[aquaponic70]

Thanks for the info. I do have a very large amount of veg oil to run which is why I am going this route in the first place. DIesel is for sure getting out of hand. As far as loading the truck, if I do need to carry a lot of weight I will pull a flat bed trailer I have for things around here. I would probably go the cummins route as I have a bit of experience with them in the marine repair business I was part of for 25 years. Had a few customers with them in their Bertrams. They sure were shakers though in a boat.
Trav.

[aquaponic70]

I would probably go the cummins route as I have a bit of experience with them in the marine repair business I was part of for 25 years. Had a few customers with them in their Bertrams. They sure were shakers though in a boat.

Sorry, should have said if I did not already have the 6.9 I would probably go the cummins route.