1988 Ford F-350 Diesel - Replacing the Engine

The 7.3 is derived from the 6.9 that was used in Ford 250 and up. It came from International Harvester. It was also used in some I-H school busses, so you might get lucky and find one of them. I don''t think they were used in the medium duty Fords. Not too many options there. The gasoline motors will require lots of additional parts for the swap. The only good news is that the engines are durable, so there usually are plenty of used or rebuilt engines around. Good luck.

Start calling the automotive junk yards in your area.

You will be surprised.

Joe in Texas

Thanks.

Look at putting in an early ninetys Cummins. There are kits for doing this, and the 89-93 versions don't need a computer.

I don't know your zip code an other information, but there is a engine locater on line that should make life a little easier finding an engine of your caliber in Virgina.

I would suggest using the same engine for best results with the lowest miles possible. Remove any parts you think you might need from the old power plant before disposal. Remember this power plant weights a lot so make sure your engine lift is heavy duty. Have several friends present to help you.

Here's the link:

http://www.automotix.net/usedenginelocator.html?part_type=Engine%20Unit&part=Engine,%20Complete

When you get to the point of removal and have additional questions, we'll try our best to help you through the process

Best Regards till next time,

Tim

I'd toss in a 6BTA5.9 Cummins. It will make your truck twice the truck it was before the 7.3 IDI blew. The 6BTA5.9 will fit but probably not a direct bolt-up to the trans so you will need a trans or maybe make an adapter, also rework the engine mounts and throttle connections. There are Cummins dealers who will make the conversion, the one in my area has a specialty of putting B-series Cummins into Fords. Later on in the 90's, Ford offered the B5.9 in their medium duty lines (F700), and still does in the incarnation of the QSB6.7. Dodge offered the Cummins engine in their Ram pickup, and other truck OEM's such as Freightliner offered it as well. Good running takeouts can be found at salvage yards or on line.

Try http://www.car-part.com/ You can search junkyards everywhere. ...or pose this question on dieselstop.com or ford-trucks.com. Your truck is highly sought after because it doesn't have any of the issues that plaque the later model years. I'd imagine you could find a good running engine used for a few grand.

I believe the newer 7.3 powerstroke will also bolt to that belhousing and it was the number 1 in number of sales for small trucks and small busses. They are everyware.

Hi Redfairlane- caution!!! Be sure you know who you are buying from and can you get over there quickly and inexpensively?

Mine were 3 states away. I purchased a Ford gas Trans w/OD from a person who answered my search on line and claimed they had just what I needed. Delay after delay and 5 weeks later it came in. When I started to install it I noticed the Electrical plug for the Solonoids would not mate up. Ordered an adapter pigtail from JC Whitney and guess what? It didn't fit either. 2 weeks later I found one (pig tail) in a Wrecking Yard and there were two identical trannies with two different plugs on them. One can only guess that Ford had a vendor or some kind of change take place. Should have been a 2 day job. By the way, when I asked why it took so long, I was told (look, we done our job and you need to stop bothering us. Be sure and check w/ the State Attorney General's office and find out if anyone has filed a complaint !!! AFarmer