F250 motor swap, 7.3 diesel

ovrszd · Feb 29, 2016

Front clip removed?

dieselcrawler · Mar 1, 2016

This is the '03 that the donor motor came out of... as you can see, the 'front clip' stays attached, as it is all part of the cab assembly. But the center grill/headlight supports come out, and the hood can even stay on...

I put another motor back into this '03, and didn't raise the cab assembly. I should have, and will on mine, it will just make it alot easier. Turbo or motor mounts MUST be removed if the cab doesn't get raised a few inches. Either are a b!t¿h to get to with the motor in place. So raise the cab.

Here is another picture, shows the fender removed but the support structure underneath connection to the front with the firewall.

ovrszd · Mar 1, 2016

Good pics Greg!!! I'm always curious how to approach projects like this.

My Son turns wrenches for a living. On Super Duty trucks he hoists the cab/front clip off the frame in one piece. With that said, his shop is equipped with a four post hoist that he uses to lift the cab assembly up out of the way. Leaves him with the bare frame and engine to work on. He's done it so many times it just takes a couple hours to get the cab out of the way. He says these trucks are designed to make this easier with proper disconnects on all the lines and wiring. I think he unbolts the AC compressor from the engine and ties it to the fender well. Seems like maybe he does something similar with the brake system?? But don't quote me on that one.

I'd be more inclined to take your route. Removing the cab seems like a daunting task to me. When I mention that to my Son he just chuckles and says "no big deal".

dieselcrawler · Mar 1, 2016

I wrench for a living too... but no lift avaliable. I'm just going to loosen the back body mount bolts, take out the others, and Jack up the front about 6". Should work that way.

ovrszd · Mar 1, 2016

dieselcrawler said:
I wrench for a living too... but no lift avaliable. I'm just going to loosen the back body mount bolts, take out the others, and Jack up the front about 6". Should work that way.

Totally understand. Gotta work within your personal confines!!!!

dieselcrawler · Mar 1, 2016

Pulling the cab is easy to do... we thought about doing that on a 2010 F250 6.4 at work, but just jacked up the cab like I plan to do...

Yesterday I took the oil cooler to work to clean it up in the parts washer, tonight I took a scotch Brite pad to it... still needs alot of work, need to wirewheel the 'tube' and paint it, only had about 20 minutes in it tonight after feeding chores.

I did some extensive repairs to my former employer/lifelong friend's trucks, this thread details alot of that work.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/318655-f250-rust-repairs.html?highlight=

dieselcrawler · Mar 2, 2016

Here is the build thread when I swapped the '00 motor into the '03 chassis about a year ago.

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/showthread.php?t=885433
'03 Bee Truck build thread

Green Power · Mar 2, 2016

I just read through the thread of swapping the 2000 motor, axles ,and bed to the tan 03, reminded me how great of work you have. Also, maybe with this build at the end of it you could stick all the pics into a little slideshow and stick on Yt, that would be pretty neat.:thumbsup:

dieselcrawler · Mar 2, 2016

I've never compiled a slide show, or posted on YouTube. I'll give it some thought. With the time constraints I face, I'm lucky to post what I share here.

I did a bit more cleaning on the oil cooler tonight. Muratic acid did a nice job of cleaning up the end pieces, and I wire wheeled the cooler tube. I'll paint it at work tomorrow, lunchtime and/or after work, in a warm shop.

I've got about an hour and half into it so far... I'll try to keep a running tally of time spent.