Can you put a Ford 7.3 Diesel in a International Loadstar?

[shinnlinger]

Hi,

Neighbor just bought a gas job (446?) '76 loadstar 1800 with a 5 speed. Sucks the gas! But it is an ex firetruck with a newer 14ft dump body with only 18k on it. He also happens to have no less than 3 rusted out late 80's/early 90's F-350's with the non turbo 7.3. Is that 7.3 a DT 444? Will it bolt into the cornbinder (Ie tranny bolt up) or is it a relative PITA? I assume a fuel tank swap/modification would be necessary, engine mount s modified and the Ford computer would come over. What else?

I happen to have a 99 powerstroked van that is rusted to crap but only has 130k on it, but assume a powerjoke transfer would be no joke and far more work than the non turbo earlier models.

Thanks.

Dave

 

[shinnlinger]

Well I guess the answer is no, the block castings for Ford are different that the DT 444. While adaptors can be made it might be more than I want to deal with.

For the record, the 446 gas job does pull pretty well!

 

[scrappy isb67]

Even if it would bolt up, it wouldn't survive. the 7.3 is a light duty diesel and the truck is medium duty.

 

[Toddao]

Use the fords complete drivetrain, will need to fab up engine, trans and rad mounts. The trans may be under rated to the gvw of the truck though , enough time and money anything can be done. They used the 7.3 in a lot of med duty applications and school buses

 

[Toddao]

The 7.3 is a 444 , not a "DT" 444 . DT is use for a inline 6 not a V8

 

[frischtr]

The 7.3 is a 444 , not a "DT" 444 . DT is use for a inline 6 not a V8

The T444E is the Navistar equivalent of the Powerstroke 7.3. The 7.3 IDI is what the OP is talking about, basically a totally different engine.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Hi,

Neighbor just bought a gas job (446?) '76 loadstar 1800 with a 5 speed. Sucks the gas! But it is an ex firetruck with a newer 14ft dump body with only 18k on it. He also happens to have no less than 3 rusted out late 80's/early 90's F-350's with the non turbo 7.3. Is that 7.3 a DT 444? Will it bolt into the cornbinder (Ie tranny bolt up) or is it a relative PITA? I assume a fuel tank swap/modification would be necessary, engine mount s modified and the Ford computer would come over. What else?

I happen to have a 99 powerstroked van that is rusted to crap but only has 130k on it, but assume a powerjoke transfer would be no joke and far more work than the non turbo earlier models.

Thanks.

Dave

I think it would be more trouble than it's worth. You could probably buy a lot of gas for what it will take to convert it over. However, it could be done. What I would suggest is that you find a mid-'80's - early-'90's International truck (S-1500 series) that had the 6.9/7.3IDI engine in it. (6.9L and 7.3L IDI is the same block - the 7.3 is a bigger bore) You will need the radiator, fuel filter bases, motor mounts, transmission, and transmission mounts from the donor truck. Also, if you have any vacuum operated equipment on your truck, I would suggest getting the replacement parts from the donor truck also. (example: if your truck has a vacuum brake booster, the S-1500 will have a hydraulic booster, etc)

 

[Bigfoot62]

Even if it would bolt up, it wouldn't survive. the 7.3 is a light duty diesel and the truck is medium duty.

Not so. International built thousands of medium duty trucks and school buses that had the 6.9/7.3 engines. I owned one.

 

[crazyal]

If you do an engine swap you may have to do a rear end swap as well. Mine's 4wd so it doesn't have a 2 spd rear. I know my 1700 with a 446 runs at about 3600 rpm at 55 mph. The engine is mated to a Spicer transmission so it should be possible to find a bell housing to make the two up. The transmission has no cross member to support it, just front and rear engine mounts so you may have to do some modification. Also the universals are the heavy duty type that use 2 bolts, not a clip or u-bolt, to hold the caps in the yoke. Trying to mate up a PU transmission could have you at a drive shaft shop.

 

[WilliamBos]

Not so. International built thousands of medium duty trucks and school buses that had the 6.9/7.3 engines. I owned one.

The displacement is the only thing that is the same, nothing else. Just like comparing the two 6.0, nothing is common between them, other than the number.
l
Get a 7.3 from another truck that IH built.